Restoration story of a 125-year-old historic clock presented by Lord Curzon at Sri Darbar Sahib

A rare historic clock gifted more than a century ago by George Nathaniel Curzon, known as Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy and Governor General of India (January 1899–November 1905), to Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar has been meticulously restored after being discovered in a severely damaged state during recent restoration and conservation work at the central Sikh religious place.

The decision to restore the special clock was taken by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) led by its President Harjinder Singh Dhami and the task of restoration was handed over to UK, Birmingham-based Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha led by Bhai Mohinder Singh, who showed keen interest in restoring it for its historic significance.


In March 2022, the SGPC, founded in 1920, which now manages Sri Darbar Sahib, had entrusted the sewa (voluntary service) of restoration and conservation work of frescos, wall paintings as well as the golden plates at the Sikh shrine to GNNSJ. During ongoing conservation work, GNNSJ in late 2023 discovered the historic clock inside Sri Darbar Sahib, concealed under a modern clock on the north-east side entrance.

With the SGPC’s approval, the clock was transported to the UK for expert restoration by GNNSJ. Birmingham was identified not only as the likely place of manufacture but also as home to key restoration specialists. Bhai Mohinder Singh entrusted the task of researching and restoring the clock to his relative Bhupinder Singh Minhas of Birmingham, who further engaged the experts of this field.

Inderjit Singh, representative of GNNSJ, looking after the restoration work at Sri Darbar Sahib said, “It took about 2.5 years for us to get the clock fully restored and make it functional in its original state, since we removed it from Sri Darbar Sahib in July 2023. Bhai Mohinder Singh brought it back to India after restoration from the UK in November 2025. It has cost about 80,000 pounds (about INR 95 lakh) for the restoration of this clock, which is now ready for installation at Sri Darbar Sahib.”

To a query, Inderjit Singh said, “In coordination with the SGPC, we are planning to install the clock back at Sri Darbar Sahib at the same spot from where it was removed in the first week of January, 2026. It will be firmly hung with screws and every week its mechanical key needs to be rotated for regular movement. Special brushes have been supplied by the company for its cleaning.”

SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said, “Preserving the heritage and historic artifacts is one of the prime duties of the Sikh body and since this clock was of historic significance, a decision was made to explore the possibilities of its restorations. Bhai Mohinder Singh led GNNSJ of UK has done commendable work to restore it and we plan to install it soon at Sri Darbar Sahib.”

Research undertaken by GNNSJ, with support from historians and archivists including writer David Gilmour, historian and author David Rooney, archivist Andrew Lewis; Alastair Chandler, Director of The Clock Clinic, and metal restoration expert Kam Lawla of Genius of the Lamp (Birmingham), confirmed the clock’s origins through archival correspondence preserved at the British Library’s (BL) India Office Records. Letters between Lord Curzon, Sir George Birdwood (who supervised the design and commission), an official and scholar and Elkington & Co. (manufacturer) provided definitive verification.

When Lord Curzon intended to present clock at Sri Darbar Sahib

Lord Curzon accompanied by Lady Mary Victoria Curzon visited Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar on April 9, 1900, during his official visit to India. Contemporary records note that he and his wife were struck by the “somewhat unworthy appearance” of a common wall clock hanging inside Sri Darbar Sahib and Curzon expressed his desire to replace it with a more fitting timepiece, designed specifically to harmonise with the sanctity of the Sikh religious place.

It took nearly two-and-a-half years (April 1900-October 1902) for the specially commissioned clock to be designed, manufactured and shipped from England to India. Research confirms that the clock was crafted by Elkington & Co. Ltd of Birmingham, a leading manufacturer of the day founded in the 1830s. The clock was formally presented at Sri Darbar Sahib on October 31, 1902, on the occasion of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas, through the then Commissioner of Lahore Division, Mr Anderson, on the day when a large number of devotees visit here to pay obeisance.

The inscription on the clock reads: “This clock was presented to the Golden Temple at Armritsar by Lord Curzon, Viceroy & Governor General of India, on the occasion of his first official visit, April 1900.” This inscription later proved crucial in establishing the provenance and historical significance of the artifact.

Over time, the clock suffered extensive damage, likely due to a fall from height and subsequent repairs. Its heavy brass housing (weighing 10 kg) bore dents, cracks, twists and missing decorative elements. The restorers found that its original mechanical movement, hands and dial had been replaced decades ago with a mass-produced quartz mechanism and aluminium dial, further diminishing its historical integrity.

The clock’s ornate inscription plate features the coat of arms of Lord Scarsdale, Curzon’s father, bearing the family motto “Let Curzon Holde What Curzon Helde.” The heraldry includes parrots symbolising the Curzon lineage and allegorical figures of Prudence and Liberality—representing wisdom and generosity—reflecting the family’s values and heritage introduced when the family entered the peerage in 1761. Prudence, on the viewer's left, holds a javelin entwined by a serpent, symbolising wisdom, caution and foresight. Liberality, on the viewer's right, carries a cornucopia, representing abundance and generosity.

What the restorers have to say

Alastair Chandler explained that once the damaged case was stabilised, the biggest challenge was sourcing a period-appropriate mechanical movement. After extensive research, a perfect match was found in a movement by renowned Glasgow clockmaker James Muirhead, operating since 1817. A new dial, based on period English designs and bearing the Elkington & Co. signature, was recreated, while the hands were hand-cut from steel and traditionally blued on spirit lamp.

The restoration of the brass housing, bezel, rear door and ornamental elements was led by Kam Lawla, who noted the presence of an intricately chased pineapple motif—an Elkington & Co. hallmark symbolising hospitality.

Alastair added, “With movement secured, we fully dismantled the clock for cleaning and a complete overhaul. It was then reassembled, lubricated and once the balance was set, began ticking away, ready to be housed in its new case. Turning to the clock’s dial…the style of English clocks…given the impressive surroundings of the Temple, I felt design needed more ornate touch. After hours of research, I discovered the ideal dial design. Finally, the entire mechanism was carefully fixed in place within the beautifully restored case, a testament to the dedication and skill involved in bringing this historic timepiece back to life.”

Kam Lawla said, “As a third-generation Indian now residing in the UK, I felt a deep connection to this project and was compelled to get involved. Upon examining the clock, I noticed an intricately chased pineapple motif in the metalwork. This design element intrigued me, as the pineapple is a symbol of hospitality and warmth. Further research revealed that Elkington & Co. of Birmingham, often incorporated pineapple designs in their creations. Notably, they produced the Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy, awarded since 1887, and the Venus Rosewater Dish, awarded to Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles Champion since 1886. This was confirmed after the project engaged a professional archivist to research the Curzon papers at The British Library.”

“The restoration process was extensive; the clock arrived in a deteriorated state with dents, splits and missing components. The entire housing had to be disassembled and meticulously restored using soldering, chasing and remaking missing parts. Restoring the clock from the Golden Temple in Amritsar was a profound honour, deeply resonating with me and was a source of immense pride, allowing me to contribute to preserving a piece of our shared heritage and ensuring its legacy for future generations.”

Lawla described the project as a profound honour, calling it a contribution to preserving shared heritage across cultures and generations.

Record of clock presentation at Sri Darbar Sahib

About the event on the day when clock was presented at Sri Darbar Sahib on October 31, 1902, The Civil Military Gazette (CMG) dated November 12, 1902 records, “Mr. Anderson in his address said: Lord Curzon, when visiting Amritsar more than two years ago, was struck with the somewhat unworthy appearance of the clock which used to hang upon the walls of the Harmandir. His Excellency offered to replace this clock by one of a character more in keeping with the surroundings. The clock has been executed according to his designs by one of the best-known arms in England. Its case, which is of chiseled and gilded brass, has been designed to harmonise, as far as feasible, with the features and style of the Golden Temple. I am commissioned by His Excellency to express his hope that the gift may be regarded as evidence of his interest in the religion and holy place of worship of the brave and loyal Sikh people.” The management presented for the acceptance of Lord Curzon, a shawl and a turban cloth as an honour for the present.

Historical newspapers such as CMG (April 11, 1900; November 12, 1902) and The Englishman (April 12, 1900) documented both Lord Curzon’s and wife Lady Curzon’s original intent and the presentation ceremony, underscoring the event’s contemporary significance.

The period from 1900 to 1902 also coincided with heightened Sikh religious reform through the Singh Sabha Movement and widespread service of Sikh soldiers across the British Empire, marking a pivotal era of spiritual revitalisation and global presence for the Sikh community.

With its restoration complete, the historic Curzon clock now stands not merely as a functional timepiece, but as a carefully preserved witness to history—linking colonial-era craftsmanship, Sikh heritage, and modern conservation efforts across continents.


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