Indian Monument Restoration and Protection thread

[Hindustani]

Jai...................Thats all good BUT the only serious eye sore thats gonna be is that little flyover thats comming up between fully restored Jama & Red Fort view. #3 in the rendering on Netaji Subhash Marg. I mean the walkway (#2) from Red Fort to Jama is going underneath the flyover. Couldn't they made the road itself underground & walkway at ground leve.. What kind of logic is that. You have Mughal structure on one side, Mughal monument on the other side with Mughal gardens between them. Things are so perfect & now lets ruin it by adding a eye sore little flyover.

Originally Posted by Jai

HS, I didn't see that article on Jama Masjid. Plans look good! The gardens should make for a beautiful sight

On PM’s Tokyo list, Rs 5500-cr Buddhist infrastructure upgrade

[Cov Boy]

Excellent!

The new Jama Masjid will look awesome. I always thought that that area in Delhi plus the Red Fort need sprucing up!

[Hindustani]

Source: The Washington Post

India: TAJ MAHAL'S Gates Get Facelift

By BISWAJIT BANERJEE
The Associated Press
Wednesday, January 10, 2007; 11:41 PM

LUCKNOW, India -- Archaeologists and conservationists have starting giving the massive gates of the Taj Mahal a facelift to repair weather damage to the majestic 17th-century monument.

Two of the three stone gates, decorated with black and white marble slabs, are being repaired and restored with the help of local stone carvers and masons, Rohit Bhalla of the Archaeology Department of India said Wednesday.

A Muslim devotee looks towards the Taj Mahal after his evening prayers, in Agra, India, in this, Sept. 26, 2004, file photo. Indian archaeologists and conservationists have begun work on giving a facelift to the massive gates leading to the Taj Mahal to repair damage caused by weather to the 17th-century monument. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup,file) (Manish Swarup - AP)

The week's events from around the world, captured in pictures.
"The southern gate and the main gate of the Taj Mahal needed restoration involving the engraving of intricate designs to match the original 17th-century decorative motifs," Bhalla said. "At present, they are working to strengthen and restore the gates."

The restoration work was expected to be completed by March, Bhalla said.

"Worn-out stones and marble plates are being repaired or replaced," Bhalla said. "Some of these stones will be replaced by new ones as a part of restoration work."

The world famous monument, visited annually by about 3 million tourists, was built by the Mogul Emperor Shah Jehan between 1632 and 1654 for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It houses their graves and a mosque, as well as several graves of lesser Mogul royalty.

The Taj Mahal is in the northern city of Agra, about 130 miles southeast of New Delhi.

[Hindustani]

Glory of Shahjehanabad to be restored

Aanchal Bansal

New Delhi, February 9: GUIDED heritage walks instead of bumpy rickshaw rides on jammed streets, restored heritage buildings standing proud instead of paan-stained, defaced ruins lost in a sea of construction and hawker-free footpaths lined with dustbins, street benches and lamps and traditional craft bazaars. That’s the plan for Shahjehanabad in the 2021 Master Plan.

Since redevelopment and restoration remain the focus for the Walled City and its extensions through Daryaganj and adjoining spaces in the new Master Plan, the stress is on “revitalising the glory of the old city of Shahjehanabad”.



This includes decongestion and pedestrianisation of the main Chandni Chowk street and also giving a facelift to the entire stretch between Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Fatehpuri Mosque and enhancing the aesthetic value of the landmark structures in the Walled City. This also involves redeveloping historical parks and gardens like Roshanara Bagh and Subhash Nagar Park in the area and creating ample parking space for tourists and visitors to these landmarks.

Given that Shahjehanabad and the kataras have come to form the core of the business activity in the capital, and most streets in the area have developed on the lines of mixed land use, the Master Plan wants adequate parking and infrastructure provided in areas like Roshanara Road, Sadar Bazar and Paharganj. Redevelopment of both government and private kataras will be given priority.

Relocating wholesale markets in areas like Sadar Bazaar to alternative spaces to clear the narrow streets of the Walled City is on the cards while the Master Plan has clearly outlined the need to develop new wholesale markets at five locations — Ghazipur, Madanpur Khadar, Narela, Dwarka and Mundka. Hazardous industries like chemical, paper and plastic which are currently around Jama Masjid will not be allowed.

No tall structures that defile the heritage character of the Walled City will be allowed for as per the new Master Plan, pre-1962 heritage structures and buildings will be allowed a 50 percent coverage area.

In an attempt to protect the Walled City, currently threatened by fire and other disasters, the Master Plan has also asked for restructuring and widening of streets in the area and connecting them to the Metro and pedestrian roads. Roads longer than 30 metres will have a minimum width of 3 m while roads longer than 30 metres like the Chandni Chowk street will have to be wider than 4.5m to allow room for pedestrians and vehicles to move.

Interesting development.

[abbas786_ali]

The Bara Imambara in Lucknow should be on the government's list too. the condition of that huge complex is getting worse. Even though they have made a fence around the structure and the beggers have been removed from that area who had been living in the halls of the outer archs, the building itself is going down the drain. I will post some pictures soon.

[Hindustani]

Abbas.........................Lucknow's Jama Mosque is restored recently it looks like. Looks quite good here.

Originally Posted by Hindustani

From This.......



To This........

[Hindustani]

merijanpakistan........................protection of heritage requires some serious & sincere effort & huge sum of money. More than 50% of Mughal architecture in India is in depleted condition due to severe lack of funds & lack of sincerity from both public & corrupt politicians. Yes. very few monuments are protected well but most are not even preserved properly & are frequently abused.

Originally Posted by merijanpakistan

Hi,
This is a great thread. I love it... I think history of india must be preserved! This is vital... because Hind is a 5000-years old civilization. We are loosing that because of over-population and construction in cities and towns.

I am glad indian government is serious about preserving atleast some of these sites.

Peace.

[VijayLon]

Hi all,

I work as a TV producer in London and am making a series of films (5 x 1hr) on the restoration of historic buildings and sites around the world. We want to film the restoration of a building or monument in India that will use traditional crafts and skills. An example of the type of story I am looking for can be seen from our most recently completed film in the series.

The film is called Stairway to Heaven and tells the story of the reconstruction of the minbar of Saladin (an ancient wooden staircase) that was burnt down in the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. The famous staircase, originally built in 1187 was destroyed in a fire in 1969. We tell the story of how a handful of passionate craftsmen were gathered from around the world and how they reconstructed the pulpit using the methods and tools of ancient craftsmen. Over a period of one year, we followed the builders and carvers and speak to the Royal Family of Jordan as they support and oversee the project. Our film has just had a Royal Premiere recently. See (http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty...s-islamic-art/ )

I am looking for a major reconstruction project in India, be it a temple, palace, monument etc. It is important that the work is not finished. The project must be about to start or has just begun recently. We will film over several months to a year. I am not looking for a simple renovation but a restoration of something historic to its former glory. Any ideas would be most welcomed.

I look forward to your responses.

Best,

Vijay

[Hindustani]

Bara Imambara @ Lucknow needs crores of funds to be completely renovated & doubt UP Gov't has that kind of money for heritage preservation & will even think about giving that king of money. My guess is it will be lost forever in next 10 yrs.

Originally Posted by abbas786_ali

The Bara Imambara in Lucknow should be on the government's list too. the condition of that huge complex is getting worse. Even though they have made a fence around the structure and the beggers have been removed from that area who had been living in the halls of the outer archs, the building itself is going down the drain. I will post some pictures soon.

[Cov Boy]

Is a shame that this monument and many in Lucknow are in such a sorry state. Look at the difference to the renovation above to the Jama Mosque!

This could be a major tourist desintation if the authorities get their act together.....makes me sick.

[sgups]

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/216248

Indian beauty set for a makeover
Yellowing, pollution-ravaged Taj Mahal will undergo pricey mudpack therapy to restore its world-famous splendour
May 22, 2007 04:30 AM
Emily Wax
SPECIAL TO THE STAR

AGRA, India–Even the Taj Mahal, India's national beauty and renowned monument to love, needs a deep-cleansing facial every now and then.

Air pollution and, some say, natural aging have given the Taj a slightly yellow tinge, and a recent report by the Indian parliament prescribed a $250,000 (U.S.) therapeutic mudpack as the best way of preserve the architectural masterpiece, which towers over the dusty city of Agra like a fairy-tale marble teardrop.

The report said the yellowing has continued despite government efforts to curb traffic and shut down factories nearby. Pollution, often caused by dust and the burning of fossil fuels, remains at consistently high levels in the area, according to data from the Air Pollution Monitoring Laboratory, which tracks air quality around the famous mausoleum.

Efforts to preserve the Taj nearly two decades ago launched an environmental campaign that has since grown into the so-called Green India movement. Environmentalists in this rapidly industrializing country have tried to address numerous problems, including global warming, auto pollution and widespread dumping of industrial waste in waterways.

More than a decade ago, India's Supreme Court ordered thousands of factories and small, smoke-generating iron foundries near the Taj to be shut down or moved. Today in Agra, cars and buses are banned near the cultural landmark.

On summer holidays, waves of Indian families in colourful saris and tunics mix into swelling crowds of photo-snapping, sneaker-clad Westerners, bottled water and camcorders in hand. They crowd into horse-drawn carriages and battery-powered buses to reach the monument, which is visited by about 3 million people a year – a rate of more than 8,000 a day.

"So many good things were done by the government, but there's still so much more to do," said Mahesh Mehta, an environmental lawyer in New Delhi who for decades has tried to persuade the courts to protect the mausoleum.

"Taj Mahal doesn't just belong to India alone. It's a global treasure. The Indian government is accountable to the world."

Activists say illegal factories are still springing up near the Taj and that a booming population and endless construction have contributed to the plumes of black smoke and water shortages that plague the city.

The Taj Mahal was built by more than 20,000 labourers, artisans and stonemasons more than 350 years ago by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan as a memorial of love to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Up close, the Taj looks slightly ivory in spots, but overall it retains its original milky-white complexion.

The treatment recommended in the report released last week would entail pouring lime-splashed clay onto the building's fine Arabic etchings, slender minarets and intricate flowered inlay to draw out impurities in a multi-step treatment spanning several months.

Trained restoration artists would methodically apply the clay to every inch of the Taj, with the monument kept open during the treatment, said D.K. Burman, joint director of tourism for Agra. A trial facial completed two years ago produced noticeable whitening.

The mudpack should be repeated every two to three years to keep the marble's surface clean, Burman said.

"Whenever anyone talks of India, they say, `Have you seen the most beautiful Taj?'" Burman said. "We are willing to do whatever it takes to preserve her."

In the coming weeks, the Archaeological Survey of India, under the Ministry of Culture, will decide whether it wants to take up the recommendation.

In Agra, 10 per cent of the city's desperately poor 1.3 million residents make a living in the hotel industry or as hawkers, aggressively chasing down tourists visiting the Taj, begging for work as a tour guide or peddling snow globes, Taj clocks and plastic mini-Tajs.

Small-business owners say that cars and motorized rickshaws are more responsible for the pollution than factories. Others say the Taj gets too much attention in a city with 250 other decrepit and often-ignored historic sites, along with sewage-filled streets and crumbling markets that need government refurbishing.

The Taj itself looks out over the once-beautiful Yamuna River, now the most polluted waterway in India.

"Taj is one of the seven wonders of the world, so it's our heritage and is definitely important," said Anil Goyal, president of the National Chamber of Industries and Commerce in Agra. "Yet the government should also pay some importance to the people's livelihood, too."

WASHINGTON POST

[Jai]

Originally Posted by abbas786_ali

The Bara Imambara in Lucknow should be on the government's list too. the condition of that huge complex is getting worse. Even though they have made a fence around the structure and the beggers have been removed from that area who had been living in the halls of the outer archs, the building itself is going down the drain. I will post some pictures soon.

That really is a shame. It's a magnificent structure.


Thankfully a growing economy means growing funds for preservation. I am hopeful that in the next decade, the list of historical sites that will be revamped will significantly increase. Historical preservation aside, this in turn generates tourist revenue.

An example to follow in this case is China. Though having far fewer historical monuments, the government there has restored and developed these to the fullest, maximizing its intra-country guided tours' potential. Its for this reason (and infrastructure) that China is coming up to be the worlds leading tourist destination.

India has huge potential in terms of tourism. Once basic anemities and site development is undertaken, I am certain that India will, well within my lifetime, pass up China as the world's most travelled to country.

[DeMorgan]

Hello Vijay,

You wrote: -

Originally Posted by VijayLon

Hi all,

"We want to film the restoration of a building or monument in India that will use traditional crafts and skills. An example of the type of story I am looking for can be seen from our most recently completed film in the series."

"I am looking for a major reconstruction project in India, be it a temple, palace, monument etc. It is important that the work is not finished."
Vijay

I would like to draw your attention to the excellent restoration work going on at Thalaserry and Kannur in Kerala. I was in both forts during last December and was struck by the very good condition of these forts.

Tellicherry Fort is being actively restored, at the moment. The team on the site is going a very good job of the work and are using entirely appropriate materials.

One of the other posters makes the point of how great a draw these monuments are. In my case I travelled from England to see these places, and was prepared to devote considerable time and effort to get to these sites. I am sure others would as well.

Sadly, I don't suppose that these buildings are large enough or important enough for your purposes, but even quite minor buildings are of great interest if presented well.

I have been to a lot of major sites in the north of India, and whilst the guides and people on duty have always been polite and courtious, they have rarely been able to tell me anything about the buildings they looked after.

There was an absolutely excellent Tourist Policeman at the Kannur Fort. He can up to me, and we struck up a conversation about the building. When we realised that we were both interested in its history, he took me around the fort, and gave be quite the best informed and most interesting talk I have had in an Indian site.

That guy should get an award for services to Indian Tourism. I have since heard from another visitor to the fort, and he too had had the same experience.

Restoration of buildings in India just of course find its priority amongst many other pressing and competing priorities. I sense however that interest is rising. Since I have posted on this list and on my blogs, I have received literally dozens of emails from Indian's interested in the sites I have written about. Some are taking active steps to restore buildings local to then.

Could you devote a programme to them, to draw attention to their private and purely voluntary efforts. There is an excellent group operating at Vasai fort that I am aware of for instance, that I could put you in touch with.

Regards

Nick Balmer

[VijayLon]

Hi Nick,

Many thanks for that post. I will check out the sites you mentioned. I suspect that the project will not be big enough or iconic enough. We also need a very interesting back story where we could peel off from time to time and put the restoration in its wider historical context. I am thinking of the Hampi work as a possible subject. I am getting a lot of forts and palaces, but many of these are undergoing work for ultimate conversion into some 5-star hotel or resort. We are really looking for very old and historically significant restorations.

I take your point about getting a good guide. I was in Udaipur recently and was fortunate to stumble on a good guide too. It makes all the difference.

Thanks again for your post.

Best,

Vijay

[tanzirian]

It's great to see the area around Delhi Jami Masjid getting attention. Any plans for the Red Fort itself? Not too many tourists today could tell that this was possibly the grandest palace in the world once.

[Jai]

SPECIAL REPORT - HISTORY IN YOUR BACKYARD

Aditya Ghosh
Mumbai

27 May 07
HT Epaper



ON A ROCKY, brown-green patch of land in the distant suburb of Nalasopara, a group of archeologists, heads shielded from the blaz ing mid-day sun by hats, are bent over a large stone frieze, gently brushing away the accumulated dust of centuries. They are trying to turn the clock back 2000 years to uncover a slice of history that Mumbai is barely aware of.

The archeologists are excavating a stupa that was built circa 2 BC and was in its time, the most important in western India. So important that, they be lieve, the Emperor Ashoka himself came to see it during or after its construction. Proof: Ashoka's original edicts (inscribed stone plaques) were discovered during the excavation last week.

Archeologists believe all the evidence points to their contention that Nalasopara was one of the first Buddhist centres in western India. Why Nalasopara? Because, says G S Narasimhan, superintending archaeologist Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) (Mumbai circle), "The port once buzzed with commerce and was a prominent trade point in Ashoka's kingdom."

He explains that Buddhists often built stupas along trade routes to serve as resting places and meeting points, where traders and travellers could exchange merchandise and information. "The Buddhists revered monks and ascetics and this stupa seems to have been built by the traders for the monks," Narasimhan adds.

In fact, Ashoka's son, Emperor Jalauk is also believed to have come here, and even built a temple in the Orissa style of architecture. Locals call it the Samadhi Mandir.

The Centre has sanctioned a complete excavation and repair of the site, in which the entire stupa will be uncovered and recreated as faithfully as possible to its original dimensions and beauty .

Next week, architects and artists from the capital will arrive in Nalasopara to work on the re-creation. They will work in consultation with the archeologists to reconstruct the missing portions and restore it to its original shape if not its former glory .

This site, rich in history and significance, was first noticed in 1882. While minor efforts at excavation were carried out from time to time, the current project, which started early this month, has been the most successful, revealing statues and inscriptions in addition to the precious edicts.

In fact, according to the ASI this will be one of the most elaborate Indian excavations in recent times. "This stupa is the first such construction by the Buddhists in western India and critical from a historical viewpoint," says Narasimhan, adding that "the history of this area will come to life." However, before the grand plan is executed, the ASI has to address a religious problem - some locals have installed a statue of Buddha on the site, and have started worshipping it. "It is illegal but we are helpless in the absence of political or police support," says Narasimhan.

Worse still, the monsoon is due to arrive in Mumbai soon. To protect the stupa, Narasimhan says the site will be completely covered by a plastic sheet. "Otherwise, rainwater will damage the structure," he explains.

While the archeologists chip away at the stupa, trying to pack in as much work as possible before the rains arrive, local residents are largely unaware of the treasure in their backyard. Says Narsimhan wryly, "Not too many people in Mumbai are bothered about their heritage."

But there is one man in Nalasopara who is aware of the site's significance: Ashok Holkar, the security guard at the site. He says he is proud to stand on a spot where his namesake may have rested his royal limbs some 2000 years ago.

aditya.ghosh@hindustantimes.com

[harsh1802]

Yes Jai, I agree with all you points. The government and more importantly the people need to recognize the glorious cultural history that we have in the sub-continent. 10,000 yrs of untapped tourism gold mine......we could do well by preserving all these magnificent structures....

With all the boom in the air traffic in India....we could really make the place a big tourism hub....

[Paddington]

Originally Posted by Jai

HS, I didn't see that article on Jama Masjid. Plans look good! The gardens should make for a beautiful sight

On PM’s Tokyo list, Rs 5500-cr Buddhist infrastructure upgrade

The Bihar government has gotten tons of money over the past few decades from foreign governments to improve Bodh Gaya. I'd be surprised if even 2% of that money was used appropriately. Unbelievable how much of it was stolen.

That's why I don't like the idea of the government getting involved. These sites should be turned over to the appropriate local religious authorities, who I suspect would do a much better job of maintaining and improving things.

[IndiansUnite]

Jal Mahal in Jaipur being restored:

UPDATE: Dec 23
Copyright Saturnism


some info:

Jal Mahal gets a Rs 1000 cr facelift

Jaipur's Jal Mahal is undergoing a massive restoration effort that includes cleaning the lake, restoring the garden and cleaning up the monument. Jal Mahal Resorts, has taken the whole area of the lake (310 acres) and around it (totalling 432 acres) on a 99-year lease from the government of Rajasthan.

Tourism in most parts of Rajasthan, and especially in its capital Jaipur, has been monument-centric. With the result that when not in family or private hands, they have been terribly neglected, maintained by different government bodies over several years and a majority of them have, unfortunately, done a shoddy job of maintaining this priceless heritage.

One such place is Jal Mahal, located where Amber ends and Jaipur starts. It has been lying disused for many years, the water around it in the Man Sagar lake stinking terribly - a major reason why visitors and locals stayed away from this otherwise splendid monument.

But lately the fortunes of Jal Mahal have been changing. A privately owned company, Jal Mahal Resorts, has taken the whole area of the lake (310 acres) and around it (totalling 432 acres) on a 99-year lease from the government of Rajasthan.

The deal is to create a fully integrated tourism destination with the Jal Mahal and the Man Sagar lake being the nodal points. The 310 acres of the lake and the Jal Mahal cannot be used for any commercial purposes but a 100-acre stretch, on the outer side of this complex, will be used to generate revenue for the company.

The idea is to "create a tourism hub, a destination in itself, using Jal Mahal as a bait", says Rajeev Lunkad, project director at Jal Mahal Resorts.

The complete project will cost over Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion), says N R Kothari, chairman of KGK Enterprises, which is the parent company of Jal Mahal Resorts. "It should take at least 5-6 years for a project of this scale to break even," adds Kothari.

The project, which has been operational for the past few years, has started to show some results now. Jal Mahal Resorts has a team of experienced professionals from across the globe to work on various aspects of the project.

read on

[phaedrus]

any updates on the gateway of india restoration?