Category Archives: Heritage at Risk Register

H@R 82/365 Mosque Complex Bhondsi village, Mewat (Nuh) district, Haryana

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Customs Building Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir

Situated in Abi Guzar, Srinagar, late 19th century building. The old Customs building on the banks of river Jhelum, which was lately used as a residence, collapsed partially and the remaining portions of the damaged building were being pulled down. In a post-flood damage assessment of Srinagar, it was observed that the waters of the Jhelum breached the banks after water levels rose, overflowing settlements along the way and flood channels overflowed. Kashmir Valley being a flood plain of river Jhelum and its tributaries, had most of its central and southern zones submerged. Damaged heritage residences are being renovated and reconstructed with modern materials.

H@R 81/365 Mosque Complex Bhondsi village, Mewat (Nuh) district, Haryana

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Mosque Complex Bhondsi village, Mewat (Nuh) district, Haryana

A mosque and a tomb together form the Mosque Complex at Bhondsi, a village midway between Gurgaon and Sohna. Located along the State Highway, this is a 16th century mosque, used by the Khanzadas of Mewat. It is in a dilapidated condition due to neglect, and in danger of disappearance, with the masonry being hollowed out for use by locals. The structure is partly collapsed and masonry from most of the accessible elements of the mosque is gorged out, such as from the tapering turrets and walls between arched openings. Adding to the state of distress is a garbage dump, demarcated in brick behind the mosque.

H@R 80/365 Outer Fortification Wall Carambolim Villages, Panelim, Old Goa

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Outer Fortification Wall Carambolim Villages, Panelim, Old Goa

Old Goa outer fortification wall is from 1570 CE, from the era of Portuguese occupation. It largely lies unidentified and neglected. It is under threat due to new developments in the vicinity. Goa today has several vestiges of its past which bear a strong testimony to its evolution over the ages. This heritage needs to be preserved and maintained for the benefit of future generations. Though Goa, as a state, ranks high on the literacy index, it does not incorporate awareness of its local history at school level, leading to low awareness about its rich local heritage at mass levels.

H@R 79/365 Topkhana Gate Patiala, Punjab

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Topkhana Gate Patiala, Punjab

Belonging to the late 1780s, Topkhana Gate lies in a neglected state. Maintenance issues and prolonged neglect also lead to a state of decay and collapse. For example in the case of Samania Gate, one of the ten old gates leading to the old walled city of Patiala, the termite-infested wooden gate of this old structure succumbed to collapse because of lack of maintenance.

H@R 78/365 Qadam Sharif New Delhi

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Qadam Sharif New Delhi

Located in Nabi Karim lane, north of New Delhi Railway Station (near Gali no. 13 & Jai Hind School, approached from Sadar Than Marg). This significant building is from 1376 CE. It is the burial place of Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s son, Fateh Khan. There is a small slab of marble, believed to bear the imprint of the Prophet Muhammad’s foot. Parts of Tughlaq era walls and chhatris exist. The gates are in ruins. The built heritage is at risk of disappearance.
Picture and information credit: Lucy Peck, Delhi: A thousand years of building

H@R 77/365 Residence at Danapur Nizamat Danapur Tehsil, Bihar

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Residence at Danapur Nizamat Danapur Tehsil, Bihar

Location: 25.631722, 85.036520 Erstwhile Defence State Officer’s residence. The building is a property of the Indian Army. Has been leased to BRC for 99 years. It is currently abandoned and in a dilapidated state; however, has potential for adaptive reuse. The military base at Danapur was built in 1765, making it the second military cantonment in the country and also the largest at the time (shared by European troops). It has Patna’s oldest churches – Havlock, St. Lukes and St Stephens, built by the Spanish, British and Italians. The cantonment also has a hospital that was used during World War II. Apart from the built heritage, Danapur is known for migratory birds.

H@R 76/365 Zanana Hospital Gondal, District Rajkot, Gujarat

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Zanana Hospital Gondal, District Rajkot, Gujarat

Zanana Hospital is located in a suburban site within residential surroundings in Gondal, near Nava Bridge. It was a specialised building for women’s hospital but is presently not in use, and is on the verge of collapse. It has Gothic revival style architecture in sandstone. It is significant historically and architecturally and is under public (government) ownership. Lack of awareness might cause disappearance of such important structures.

H@R 75/365 Jawahir Gate Raipur, Chhattisgarh

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Jawahir Gate Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Situated in Jawahar Market, Malviya Road, Near Gole Bazaar, Raipur. Built about 150 years ago, it was known as the Philips Gate in the British regime. The market it housed was called Philips Market. It is a curious mix of Islamic and colonial architecture. Post-independence, the market and gate were renamed. It is encroached and has insensitive alterations. Showing signs of deterioration. Renovated by Raipur Nagar Nigam as entryway to market.

H@R 74/365 Ujra Mosque Kavaratti, Lakshadweep

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Ujra Mosque Kavaratti, Lakshadweep

Important pilgrim place built in the 17th century by Qasim Muhammad Sheikh. Local legends attribute the first settlement on these islands to the period of Cheraman Perumal, the last king of Kerala. The influence of the traditional architecture of Kerala is obvious in the traditional buildings in the islands. The islanders lived and built in harmony with nature; however, contemporary materials from the mainland are increasingly being used now, which are unrelated to the prevalent climatic and ecological conditions. Pressures of urbanisation as well as government-initiated schemes result in reduced use of traditional materials. Our aim should be proper, careful and planned use of the resources locally available, (also recommended by Centre of Science & Technology for Rural Development).

H@R 73/365 Calve College, Puducherry

Heritage at Risk Register entry 73
H@R 73/365

Calve College, Puducherry

The government closed the College Calve Enseignement Secondaire (Government Boys Higher Secondary School), V.O.C. Government Boys Higher Secondary School and the Pensionnat De Jeunes Filles (Government Girls French High School) as the buildings were in a highly dilapidated condition. The 3 schools were among the 19 heritage buildings identified by the government for restoration through INTACH. Calve College which was built in 1886 had churned out political leaders like V. Subbiah and M.O.H. Farook.