Category Archives: Heritage at Risk Register

H@R 72/365 Burail Fort Near Chandigarh

H@R 72/365

Burail Fort Near Chandigarh

The fort is located in urban village Burail, adjacent to sector 45 of Chandigarh. It is one of the last reminders of villages which existed in the region prior to setting of new capital there in 1960s. The fort exhibits regional Mughal style. Believed to be from 18th century and associated with Banda Bahadur. Fragments of fort walls and 3 bastions, in a highly dilapidated and vandalized state, still exist variously engulfed by more contemporary constructions. It has so far afforded no degree of recognition or protection by any agency and is in danger of disappearance.

H@R 71/365 Banahalli Kolar District, Karnataka

H@R 71/365

Banahalli Kolar District, Karnataka

Banahalli is a Late Neolithic, Iron Age Habitation mound in Kolar District, Karnataka. It dates from Neolithic period to Early historic period (2500 BCE to 300 CE). The archaeological site is partly disturbed. This site was excavated by Archaeological Survey of India and could be preserved.

H@R 70/365 Vernacular homes of Nepali village Tengapani, Namsai district, Arunachal Pradesh

H@R 70/365

Vernacular homes of Nepali village Tengapani, Namsai district, Arunachal Pradesh

These vernacular houses are located in Tengapani, Momong, Namsai district. They are re-constructed every few years, keeping the building tradition and skills alive. Construction materials include bamboo, timber, jung patta roof, mud plaster, ply boards. Due to not belonging to tribal community, the village needs to be self-sustained. Houses face water seepage.

H@R 69/365 Queen Mary High School Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

H@R 69/365

Queen Mary High School Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

One of the oldest government buildings in Old Town Visakhapatnam, it is likely to have existed from the times of the Dutch occupation of the town. From 1870 it was office of the District Collector. In neglected and dilapidated condition, what stands today is just the front portion of the once grand edifice. Hudhud cyclone that struck in October 2014 completely destroyed the tiled roofing. The arsenal also housed a foundry for manufacturing cannons. This part was razed to the ground many years ago. In the recent past, the building functions as Queen Mary High School. Unfortunately, the authorities have very little concern for such heritage buildings.

H@R 68/365 Pradnaya Paathshala Wai, Maharashtra

H@R 68/365

Pradnaya Paathshala Wai, Maharashtra

Constructed near Gangapuri Ghat, Wai, the institute started by Brahmibhut Swami Kewalananda in 1925, is at a risk of collapsing. The building has incompatible additions and inappropriate handling of drainage lines. One of the last surviving Ved pathshalas housed in a wada is on the verge of losing its original use (and intangible heritage) because of the demise of the guruji imparting Vedic knowledge. Wai being close to Pune and also near the hill station Mahabaleshwar, is facing immense urban pressures. Wadas are being demolished and replaced by the new urban form borrowed from the metropolis. Another issue is that of retaining the local community due to limited facilities for education and job opportunities.

H@R 67/365 Nanta Mahal Nanta Village, Kota, Rajasthan

H@R 67/365

Nanta Mahal Nanta Village, Kota, Rajasthan

Nanta Mahal is a fortress constructed over a period from early 13th to 18th century CE. It has palaces and structures from different periods – early, middle, late and present. Within the fort is a series of courtyards, kitchen and a complicated maze of rooms constructed during the middle period. It is likely that some renovations took place post-Independence. It was used as a refugee camp and a hostel for teachers when a teachers’ training college was housed here. It lies in a state of ruin and poor condition due to unsympathetic repairs, neglect and lack of funds.

H@R 66/365 Dayanand Kothi Nirmand, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh

H@R 66/365

Dayanand Kothi Nirmand, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh

Dayanand Kothi is in a dilapidated condition and the modern structures built around degrade the historical and architectural value of this place. This is perhaps the only existing tower type house in the area. The distinct rural character is changing in terms of traditional materials, building typologies and placement of structures in heritage precincts. The village of Nirmand is in danger of losing its unique character.

H@R 65/365 Old Police Station Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh

H@R 65/365

Old Police Station Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh

Old Police Station building is located in Andar Shahar, Chanderi and belongs to 17th-18th century CE. The structure was declared unfit for use by the Public Works Department. However, it needs to be re-examined and retrofitted for appropriate reuse. The state of conservation remains poor for much of the unprotected historic structures. Works conducted by INTACH and other bodies responsible for creating strategies and action plans must be followed up by initiatives from the public and private sectors to ensure that these documented properties receive appropriate management.

H@R 64/365 Fatehbaugh Palace Fatehwadi village, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat

H@R 64/365

Fatehbaugh Palace Fatehwadi village, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Remnants of a Mughal Fort can be seen in Fatehwadi village, near Juhapura, Ahmedabad. It is in a severely threatened state and is partially collapsed; only plinths are remaining. Maintenance and management of forts and city palaces (darbargarhs) of princely states fared badly over the last few decades due to the abolition of state revenues after independence. Currently, most of these are in varying degrees of decay and disrepair.

H@R 63/365 Cremation ground with Chhatris Agartala, Tripura

H@R 63/365

Cremation ground with Chhatris Agartala, Tripura

The site is from the late 1850s and had several chhatris dedicated to the Kings and Queens of Tripura and their very close kin. It is under severe threat of disappearance. 1963 onwards, the state flourished and rapid urbanization took place. The infrastructure was developed in urban and rural areas. However, no special consideration was given to the heritage components of the state.