H@R 296/365 Fraser House (Old Ali Mardan Khan Haveli) Kashmiri Gate, Delhi

H@R 296/365

Fraser House (Old Ali Mardan Khan Haveli) Kashmiri Gate, Delhi

Built in 1803 CE by William Fraser, it was once the residence of the former British Commissioner of India (and was first appointed as the deputy resident of Delhi). It is located behind St. James Church in Old Delhi. It was constructed over the Mughal Palace which belonged to Ali Mardan Khan, an engineer in Shahjahan’s court. The building was converted into the office and administrative headquarters of the Chief Engineer of the Northern Railways for construction works. Most of the historic character of the building is lost today, due to additions and alterations. The basement cellars or tykhanas are especially in precarious condition.

H@R 295/365 Gobind Bhawan Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

H@R 295/365

Gobind Bhawan Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

Gobind Bhawan was built in the year 1806 CE as a residence (haveli/ bhawan). It was an impressive mansion, with decorative features such as elegant stone statues, fountains, Dutch and German ceramic tiles and European furniture. Today, the structure is partially in ruins and partially used as an RTO office, with many original features of the building still intact. It has a royal Darbar Hall and chambers decorated with tile and glass works. The building shows signs of deterioration, structural instability and is in an advanced state of decay.

H@R 293/365 Poddar Chhatri Complex Ramgarh, Sikar District, Rajasthan

H@R 293/365

Poddar Chhatri Complex Ramgarh, Sikar District, Rajasthan

The Ram Gopal Poddar Chhatri Complex was constructed in the late 1800s. It has a total of six structures, including four chhatris, each with a Shiv Mandir, dedicated to the Poddar ancestors, a baradari and a Jagannath Mandir. The structures have intricate traditional wall paintings depicting various scenes from legends. The complex is maintained by the Poddar family and their priest (caretaker) and is not open to the public.

The chhatris are exposed to damage by issues like weathering, rising dampness and structural movement. In several sections, the wall paintings are fading and the architectural elements such as the finials and chhajjas have been damaged. The repairs have been done using cement which may eventually cause more damage and loss of decorative elements. The chhatri complex requires detailed conservation work to prevent further damage and loss of decorative details.

Courtesy: Mitali Vij

H@R 294/365 Narsing Girji Mill Complex Solapur, Maharashtra

H@R 294/365

Narsing Girji Mill Complex Solapur, Maharashtra

Built in the year 1898 CE, Narsing Girji was one of the largest and most important mills of Solapur. The mill was spread over an area of 33 acres and comprised of various structures including office spaces, godowns, residential quarters, guest houses, wells, etc. Despite being a mill building, it showcases various architectural features of the era such as stained-glass windows, arches, wooden trusses, stone carvings, etc. Today, however, the buildings show signs of deterioration and are at risk of demolition. The complex is in urgent need of preservation.

H@R 292/365 Native High School Trivandrum, Kerala

H@R 294/365

Native High School Trivandrum, Kerala

The school was built in 1889 CE, this building showcases the traditional architectural style of Trivandrum. However, it is presently in a state of deterioration. One of the major issues is the lack of specific heritage bylaws or other regulations for unprotected built heritage, resulting in vulnerable and fast-disappearing built heritage. Consistent attempts are to be made to create awareness amongst the public, government officials and other stakeholders regarding the different built heritage use typologies.

H@R 275/365 Ralang Kothi Ralang, South Sikkim

H@R 275/365

Ralang Kothi Ralang, South Sikkim

Ralang Kothi belong to the Lakshang family. It was built in 1750 CE by Lama Tenzang during the reign of the 5th Chogyal Namgyal Phuntsog. It is one of Sikkim’s last remaining wooden houses and an example of the early Sikkimese house form. It showcases intricate wooden carvings, especially on the balconies. The building was damaged during the 2011 earthquake and is in an advanced state of decay.

H@R 276/365 Khair Darwaza Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

H@R 276/365

Khair Darwaza Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

The 300-year-old darwaza was built by Nawab Khair Andesh Khan, the chief of the army during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The high arched gate located in Khair Nagar is a brick structure decorated with floral motifs. The gate led to the Khairnagar Bazaar named after the Nawab. Today, the structure is in a state of disrepair and shows signs of deterioration. It has been encroached upon from all directions and its details and floral motifs are fast disappearing due to neglect.

H@R 277/365 Hashmat Gunj Gate Hyderabad, Telangana

H@R 277/365

Hashmat Gunj Gate Hyderabad, Telangana

Ralang Kothi belong to the Lakshang family. It was built in 1750 CE by Lama Tenzang during the reign of the 5th Chogyal Namgyal Phuntsog. It is one of Sikkim’s last remaining wooden houses and an example of the early Sikkimese house form. It showcases intricate wooden carvings, especially on the balconies. The building was damaged during the 2011 earthquake and is in an advanced state of decay.

H@R 278/365 Historic Well/ Baoli Vijayapura (Bijapur), Karnataka

H@R 278/365

Historic Well/ Baoli Vijayapura (Bijapur), Karnataka

The historic well surrounded by agricultural fields dates back to the 1800s. It is built in stone and is currently in use. Although it is structurally stable, it shows signs of distress.

H@R 291/365 Traditional houses in Leh Old Town Ladakh

H@R 291/365

Traditional houses in Leh Old Town Ladakh

Traditionally constructed in mud, the houses of Leh Old Town showcase a unique example of vernacular architecture suitable for high-altitude. Built around 400 years ago, a large number of houses here lie vacant as the majority of the population has moved to lower terrains into new concrete houses. The Awas Yojna Scheme by the government aimed to bring down the entire old area and build new concrete houses, which encourages demolition/ replacement of climatically suitable traditional houses.

Government schemes, along with promoting better living conditions should also focus on the revival of traditional materials and building practices that have been time-tested through generations. The suitability of the construction material with the geo-climatic zone is often not considered while reconstructing standardised modern houses under these schemes. Such schemes cause severe threats to heritage and need a serious review so as to safeguard cultural resources. Traditional communities have to cope with the new dimension of issues confronted due to climatic changes. This challenge is intensified by man-made threats and globalization.