Raj Kapoor’s house: Archaeology dept comes to rescue after damage

The building had developed cracks after October 26, 2015 tremor

PESHAWAR:

The owner of the Raj Kapoor Haveli, one of the more imposing and visually appealing historical buildings in Mohallah Dhaki Munawar Shah, had the top two storeys of the building demolished overnight after it turned into a threat for neighbouring houses.

However, the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums stepped and halted the destruction of this iconic structure at 11am on Saturday.

Abandoned by the government, the beautiful yet wornout ancestral home of Bollywood legend Raj Kapoor developed massive cracks after the October 26 earthquake.



The owner, Haji Israr Khan, dealt a blow to the almost century-old structure by demolishing the two top floors of the three-storey building on Saturday. The district administration, however, had no information regarding the destruction of the historic building.

Although the façade of the Haveli seems intact, the two top storeys have been demolished by the owner of the house. He claimed it had become a threat for people living in the vicinity.

Falling apart

Talking to The Express Tribune, Israr said, “We know the building is a national asset, but I cannot preserve it alone.” He said the responsibility of assisting in preservation lies with the archaeology department.

He lashed out at officials of the Directorate of Archeology and Museums, “They never contacted us or even visited the house to carry out work for its perseveration.”

The property’s owner added the Haveli was an even taller building, but its top storeys were removed years ago after an earthquake and now it has been damaged beyond repair after October 26.



Israr said panicked locals in the congested vicinity pressured him into eradicating the threat.

Nisar Khan, an 80-year-old man who lived near the Raj Kapoor Haveli all his life, said, “We know there is history behind the building, but no one ever cared about it.” He recalled when Raj Kapoor’s younger brother, Shashi Kapoor, visited the Haveli with his sons two decades ago and took some soil from the compound to remember his heritage.

Nisar added even though the structure had become dangerous due to earthquakes, it is heritage and must be protected.



The other side

Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Director Dr Abdul Samad halted the demolition based on antiquity laws. He told The Express Tribune the owner should be aware of the K-P Antiquities Act 1997 which dictates that any building over 70-year-old could not be changed even slightly. This is irrespective of whether the structure was declared national heritage or not. “The owner has committed a crime - it is the duty of the owner to preserve it on a priority basis,” Samad added.

He also said the house was destroyed due to lack of effort on the part of the police. He added the police did not register an FIR in the case despite repeated requests. Samad said a police constable was finally taken to the Haveli and demolition work was halted at 11 am.

Peshawar Additional Deputy Commissioner Irshad Sodhar said he was unaware of the whole situation, but will look into the matter.

Lineage and possession

According to details written on the slab inside the Haveli, Dewan Basheshwarnath Kapoor, father of Prithviraj Kapoor and grandfather of Raj Kapoor, constructed the building in 1918. Raj Kapoor was born in the Haveli on December 14, 1924.

After partition in 1947, the remaining members of the family left the house in Peshawar. Later, the house was purchased by a jeweller Haji Israr Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2016.