Category Archives: Heritage at Risk Register

H@R 92/365 Nazarbagh Palace (L.E. College) Morvi, Gujarat

H@R 92/365

Nazarbagh Palace (L.E. College) Morvi, Gujarat

Nazarbagh Palace (known as Lukhdirji Engineering College) was commissioned around 1890s by Sir Waghji Thakore, ruler of Morvi State. In 1954, Maharaja Lukhdhir Sinhji donated the palace in the service of higher education in the country, then being only the second such institution in Gujarat. The building has exquisite craftsmanship. INTACH has written to the departments of R&B and Education at various occasions to stall its constant risk of demolition and offer pro bono services. Abandoned and lacking maintenance, the building is prone to human-induced threats and persistent defilement. Part of it had a fire outbreak recently in 2021. This historic landmark of Morvi requires conserving by all means, to revive its grandeur to once again be the pride of Morvi. Any required college expansion can be done in the adequately available surrounding land, instead of its demolition.

H@R 91/365 Traditional Settlement Gandikota Village, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh

H@R 91/365

Traditional Settlement Gandikota Village, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh

Gandikota is a small village on the banks of river Pennar, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa District. The 150 years old village settlement is in the setting of the Gandikota Fort (400-600 years old). Founded in 1123 by Kapa Raja of nearby Bommanapalle village and a subordinate of Ahavamalla Someswara I, the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana. The town played a significant role during the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara and Qutub Shahi periods. Surrounded by a deep valley, impassable hills and the river Pennar flowing 300 ft. below, its location affords strong natural defense to the occupants of the Fort. Though the Fort is in the purview of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in the village many historic houses are abandoned and under deterioration. Needs a comprehensive approach to preserve the traditional settlement and architectural patterns of a Rayalaseema village.

H@R 90/365 Nilagiri Palace Balasore, Odisha

H@R 90/365

Nilagiri Palace Balasore, Odisha

July 19 is celebrated as International Palace Day. Forts and palaces occupy a large quantum of built heritage in India. Old portion of Nilagiri Palace is from 1450-1500 CE and the new part from 1898 CE. It is in an advanced state of decay, on the verge of collapse. Its clock tower had collapsed, and the entire western side caved in. The portion is now completely abandoned.
Owing to the peculiar issues of ownership and scale of forts and palaces, a central government-backed body should be formulated specifically for addressing the overarching issues in the interest of heritage. Its role should include facilitating early resolution of issues pertaining to disputed ownership, laying down guidelines and best practises for conversion into other uses, formulating case-specific maintenance mechanisms, technical assistance and financial corpus with public-private stakeholders.

H@R 89/365 Vellaivettan Viduthi Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu

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Vellaivettan Viduthi Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu

Mesolithic to Early Historic archaeological site, 10000 BP to 300 CE. Has megalithic burial sites. The archaeological site is partly destroyed. Soil quarrying is one of the reasons for the damage regularly caused to archaeological heritage. Red earth quarrying at Vellaivettan Viduthi is an example, among many others, of megalithic sites being destroyed mindlessly while the indifference towards them continues. Careful planning is necessary for the preservation of the unprotected sites.

H@R 88/365 Kadakum-Bagam Synagogue Mattancherry, Cochin, Kerala

H@R 88/365

Kadakum-Bagam Synagogue Mattancherry, Cochin, Kerala

To the south of the Jew Town Street, Mattancherry, Cochin, is a structure in a serious state of disrepair. This once served as the Black Jews Synagogue, the Kadakumbagam Synagogue. This 16th century CE building is on the verge of collapse. There is a profound feeling of social recognition found when it comes to religious structures by the community. But there is only a minority section of the community who feels that historic remains are to be preserved.

H@R 87/365 Vernacular built heritage Hee-Bermiok, West Sikkim

H@R 87/365

Vernacular built heritage Hee-Bermiok, West Sikkim

Hee-Bermiok, as is happening in other parts of the country, especially in rural India, is losing the rich vernacular building tradition. Traditions are being threatened by the rapid urbanization process as well as the desire to appear modern and fashionable. As a result, people are forgetting their age-old vernacular architecture and building traditions, and are employing climatically unsuitable contemporary materials and techniques of construction, completely alien to the region. Concrete structures with brick infill are mushrooming all over the region despite the fact that they are expensive in comparison to low-cost vernacular building technology supported by locally available building materials. A balanced approach and incentives are required.

H@R 86/365 Kirti Kund Barsana, Uttar Pradesh

H@R 86/365

Outer Fortification Wall Carambolim Villages, Panelim, Old Goa

Barsana, in the region of Braj, is prominently known as the birthplace of Shri Radha Rani. Kirti Kund is said to have been the kund (water tank) of Kirti, mother of Radha. The present structure was constructed by Rup Ram Katara in mid-18th century. It is under Barsana Nagar Panchayat. It is in a precarious condition, in an advanced state of decay. Despite immense cultural significance, the kund is facing threat from encroachment and structural distress of the retaining walls. It is in a state of neglect and drain water is disposed into it. The ghats are in shambles and wild vegetation has engulfed the site.

H@R 85/365 Uttareshwar Temple Talegaon Dhamdhere, Maharashtra

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Uttareshwar Temple Talegaon Dhamdhere, Maharashtra

Located near bazaar peth, Talegaon Dhamdhere, the temple is from approximately 1600 CE, pre-Peshwa period. Has Hemadpanthi style of architecture with Shivling in Garbhagriha. Sunrays first reach Mahadev’s idol in the morning. Main temple is in a fair condition, but some parts like shikhar and walls have structural cracks and vegetation growth. The temple is managed by the Ganesh mandal of the lane and used during Ganesh festivals. There is no proper authority to take care of the temple. Lack of funds for maintenance has led to the current state and the structure shows signs of disrepair. Talegaon is located only 30 km from Pune and faces tremendous threats from developmental pressure and migration.

H@R 84/365 Marie Amelia Residence Moti Daman Fort, Daman

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Marie Amelia Residence Moti Daman Fort, Daman

Traditional residential architecture of the area. Is in ruins, with lack of maintenance. Such buildings form local landmarks contributing to the image and identity of the town. To conserve them, special guidelines need to be prepared by the planning and development authorities of the city. There are no height restrictions for the new construction coming up around Moti Daman and Nani Daman forts. The imposing forts are thus losing their grandeur and are being overshadowed by unregulated new construction. Negligence and lack of awareness, lack of timely repairs and maintenance is a common issue especially found in those buildings which have fallen into disuse.

H@R 83/365 Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli Mandawa, Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan

H@R 83/365

Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli Mandawa, Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan

The ornate haveli from 1870 CE shows signs of deterioration. Such traditional houses that are distinctive to the geographic expanse, face abandonment due to migration of owners and lack of funds. They have fewer caretakers and these buildings face challenges of multiple ownership, as they date back to old generations of business families from the area. Some Shekhawati havelis with wall paintings are even haphazardly ripped open to set up shops or workshops. There exist issues concerning encroachment, crowding and designing in context of heritage. There needs to be an urban policy and arrangement with owners of havelis to prevent further decay and initiate conservation.