The Madhopur Headworks is a colonial-era barrage on the Ravi River, built in the 1870s to feed the Upper Bari Doab Canal that transformed the agriculture of central Punjab. Sitting about eight kilometres south of Pathankot, it is a pleasant and unhurried excursion from the town — the kind of quiet, overlooked site that rewards those who seek it out.
The barrage itself is a handsome piece of Victorian engineering, and the river upstream of it is broad and clear here, with sandy banks and stands of riverside trees. The walk along the canal bank and the views of the Ravi are relaxing. The site is popular with local families on weekends. There is no entry fee and no facilities to speak of, so carry water if you plan to spend more than a short time here.