The crumbling structures of our past

Jain Mandir, Jain Temple and the mansion of Rai Bahadur Sujan Singh are just some of significant buildings in RWP.

RAWALPINDI: The history of Rawalpindi goes as far back as 1000BC, and its buildings are acknowledged and studied for their pre-partition architectural splendour.

Jain Mandir, Jain Temple and the majestic mansion of Rai Bahadur Sujan Singh, made in the pre-partition era are just some of the historically significant buildings in the city. But they have never received much attention from the government.

Similarly, the ancient Bhabra Bazaar, Bagh Sardaran, Dingi Koi, Saddar, Raja Bazaar, Kaalan Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Ratta Amral and Purana Qila are still used for residential and commercial purposes and no attempt has been made to conserve them.

Many of the people living in ancient buildings have not paid much attention to preserving the original condition of the buildings.

Syed Hassan Qazalbash, a student of archaeology researching such buildings, said, “The inhabitants of these marvellous ancient structures have turned them into private living quarters with no regard to their heritage status.”

As examples, he said the original artistic paintings on walls inside the Porana Gumbad had been covered in paint so many times that they had “all but gone”.  Then there is the ancient Hindu temple near Qasai Gali. Originally made from red bricks, the
subsequent layers of paint have completely hidden the original beauty of the structure.

“These structures need to be immediately taken over by the authorities and restored to their former glory,” Qazalbash said.

There have been instances of the government taking patronage of historically significant bazaars in other cities in the past. Anar Kali in Lahore, for instance, was saved from falling into oblivion by the local government.

The same can be done for Rawalpindi.

Adeel Ahmad, an architect, said the government could take possession of these historical buildings by compensating their current owners and shifting them to other areas.

But it is not just a matter of a willing government. The inhabitants of these structures, living in them since generations, fiercely defend their right to live there. They do not allow officials to come inspect their structures.

“We inherited this haveli (mansion) from our grandfather who lived here since 1930s,” said an agitated Baba Zameer Shah, who is currently fighting for the ownership rights to an old, dilapidated mansion.

Shah’s residence is one of the several decrepit old houses that once belonged to the nobility of the past. There was a time when these buildings were impressive with their expensive woodwork and rare artistic inscriptions, but that time has long since passed.

However, not all historical landmarks in the city can be saved. For some, it is already too late. The mansion of the Raja of Poonch, famous for its architectural brilliance at one time, was razed to ground about 10 years ago and a commercial plaza was erected in its place.

Published in The Express Tribune, October  2^nd, 2010.