Special Report
Editorial
Op-Ed
Opinion
Columns

Politics
Literature
Music
Art & Culture
Sikh Religion
Rights
1984
Books
Education
Business

Entertainment
Lifestyle
Travel
Health
Heritage
Sports
Kids Corner

Panjab
India
Pakistan
South Asia
US of A
Canada
Asia-Pacific
UK
Europe
Middle East
Africa
World
 

Archives
Newsletter
Advertise

Obituaries

Feedback
Contact Us
About Us
Site Map

A Sikh helps India save its history
WSN Bureau 

One of the best known Sikh architects and conservationists, Gurmeet Rai, who had earlier helped restore Guru Ki Masit in Sri Hargobindpur in Gurdaspur, has now achieved a new high, helping in rescuing crucial elements in the Red Fort from the vagaries in time and restoring them to their glory.

leading a decade-long conservation project, Rai has been focussing her energies on the five buildings along the central axis inside the Red Fort -- Lahore Gate, Chhatta Bazaar, Naubat Khana, Rang Mahal and Mumtaaz Mahal.

The Red Fort is a continuous centre of attraction for the world since it is historically so well woven into the pre-colonial past as well as the British period, and many a Sikh folklore is connected to it. The Indian Prime Minister still makes his annual address every August 15 from the ramparts of this Fort.

There is crucial documentary evidence still in place that tells one about the great regalia that this building enjoyed in the 17th century, being the seat of power from where the Emperor Shah Jahan ruled over Shahjahanabad but now that its architectural splendour is gone, Gurmeet is leading the team of architects, civil engineers, public health engineers, electrical engineers and surveyors for drawing up the Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP) to make every stone tell the story of centuries again.

Rai—who has worked extensively to restore architectural monuments in Punjab, like submitting a plan for the Darbar Sahib restoration and the Golden Temple—worked on the CCMP for a year.

Most of the changes she has suggested are based on archival maps of the fort since 1850 but the contemporary usage has changed the patterns beyond recognition. Most buildings have suffered years of neglect. Gone are the carpeted floors and awnings under the sculpted arches. She also has to tackle the issue of lawns which were never part of the original Mughal design. but were colonial introductions.

Rai's eyes are set next at the Gobindgarh Fort where her skills will serve the community once again.

26 August 2009
 

Bookmark with

Reddit    Yahoo     Furl    Delicious