24
INTACH – Live History
{ Abhishek Behl / FG }
C
ivilization is a movement and not a condition, a voyage and not a harbour, said historian Arnold J Toynbee. The historical monuments in a city are the full stops and commas that represent this civilizational change, and they also point to the fact that nothing is permanent. To take these monuments out of the text books and into the daily life of people, Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)’s Gurgaon Chapter, has embarked on a journey of preserving not only the monuments in Gurgaon district, but also the tangible and
intangible facets of the Millennium City’s history. Atul Dev, convener of the local chapter of INTACH, told Friday Gurgaon that their main job is to preserve the heritage – that also includes the art, dance and culture of the nation. “The local chapter of INTACH started 18 years back, and we have come a long way since then. The major achievement in this period has been creating awareness about the history and culture of this district, as well as conservation of the Tauru monuments”, he says. Another important achievement was the restoration of Dhauli Piyau near Garden Estate in Gurgaon. “It was a beau-
tiful building, but had to be razed to the ground due to the Metro construction”, informs Dev wistfully. In lieu of that the Metro Authorities have agreed to provide a banner space at their stations to INTACH, for spreading awareness about the city’s history and its monuments. INTACH Gurgaon has identified a number of monuments that need preservation, and can later serve as important tourist places, says Dev. Gurgaon, Farrukhnagar, Pataudi and Sohna have some beautiful monuments – that include Delhi Gate, Sheesh Mahal, Sitaram Mandir, Ali Gosh Khan Baoli, Jhajjar Gate, and a beautiful Chattri (all in Farrukhnagar).
INTACH Gurgaon’s Conservation Project in Farrukhnagar Situated near Sultanpur Lake and easily accessible, Farrukhnagar can be converted into a very beautiful day visit destination. It has interesting places to visit. It can be linked with a visit to the Sultanpur Lake Bird Sanctuary for any day visit, or walking tours. This town has important monuments, in addition to private havelis, and include – Delhi Gate, Sheesh Mahal, Sitaram Mandir, Ali Gosh Khan Baoli, Jhajjar Gate and a Chhatri.
Delhi Gate
Sitaram Mandir
This property does not require any restoration or expenditure. The present caretakers should be advised to maintain this to their best ability, so that it INTACH also helps the remains an attractive tourist site. schools in adopting a monument; that means not only getting to know it better, but also to Chhatri take it to heart – saving it from This Chhatri, owned by an oblivion and degradation, lookindividual, is lying in a highly dilapiing after it, promoting and apdated condition. Tree roots have preciating it. penetrated/grown inside walls, “INTACH has listed 50 threatening the very existence of monuments, out of which its walls – and the Chhatri itself. at least twenty can be made The restoration of the Chhatri available for adoption. A needs immediate attention. school group can choose to Since this structure is privately adopt a Memorial, Piyao, Baoli, owned property, active participaTomb, Haveli or any other montion of its owner – in the restoration ument in need of conservation, and post-restoration maintein Gurgaon District”, he says. nance - financially and otherwise, is necessary.
This Gate acts as the gateway to Farrukhnagar, and hence it is symbolic in nature. It is for this reason that this gateway has been chosen as the first initiative to recreate the magic of the walled settlement. This Gate is not found in any list of Monuments maintained by the Central Government or State Government. Encroachments inside and alongside the Gate have taken place. Even the Sentry Rooms in the Gate are occupied as shops, says Dev. An amount of Rs. 4 lakhs (Rs. 3.5 lakhs from MPLAD Fund) has already been spent on the restoration of this gate. Another Rs. 3 lakhs has been allotted, and is available for the second phase of restoration of this monument. It is also open for consideration whether money should be spent on this monument before its caretaker and maintenance responsibility is re-established.
Sheesh Mahal
ment has undertaken some work, but it seems to be incomplete. Lawns are being used as Play Ground by Children, and walls as public urinals. Indeed it is one of the important monuments of Farrukhnagar, located in the heart of the town.
This is a monument listed and protected by the State Government. The State Archaeology Depart-
Jhajjar Gate
Ali Gosh Khan Baoli and
This is a relatively better maintained monument among all the monuments of in Farrukhnagar. It is being maintained by the ASI, Government of India. However, the water source has dried up. The Jhajjar Gate, through which a major road passes, lies over the Baoli – and poses a potential threat to the very existence of the Baoli; apart from vehicular traffic damaging the narrow Gate.
PRAKHAR PANDEY
6–12 Jan 2012
B usiness
“We have received funds from local MP Rao Inderjit Singh for restoration work in Farrukhnagar. Last year he gave us Rs. 3.5 lakh, and this year we have got Rs. 3 lakhs from his MPLAD fund”, informed Dev. He has also been working with a number of corporates, to ensure funds for the conservation work. An interesting aspect of history that will surprise the denizens of Millennium City today is revealed by Dev. He confirms that it was Farrukhnagar that was bigger and a more important station in British and Mughal times, as compared to Gurgaon. “Farrukhnagar was a salt trading station, and the Britishers had even put up a narrow gauge track to transport salt from there. Gurgaon was a small trading village at that time”, says Dev. This perhaps reiterates the fact that change is permanent, and a city should always be ready to cope with changes, he adds. INTACH recently organised a heritage run, in which 600 students participated. Dev says the objective of the run was to raise awareness among school
GURGAON REGION: Historical outline ♦ Ancient Period – Guru Gram of Dronacharya ♦ 7th Century – Part of Harsha’s Empire ♦ Pre Mughal Period - Constant resistance to foreign invasions, till it was occupied by Muhammad Ghori in 1193 AD This was followed by conversion of inhabitants into Islam (Meos) and ruled over by chieftains called Khanzadas. Bhahdur Nahar (14th Century) was the first Khanzada ruler of Mewat area. ♦ Mughal Period - Part of the suburbs of Delhi and Agra. ♦ Later Mughal Period – District was under several different rulers such as Nawabs of Farrukhnagar, Rajputs of Ghasera and later on the Jats of Bharatpur. ♦ 1803 AD – Under British Rule, and assigned to Punjab after the mutiny in 1857 AD. ♦ At time of Independence – Part of Punjab State. ♦ 1966 AD – Part of newly created Haryana State. ♦ 2000AD – Developed as a Millennium City.
BEST OF 2011 (Real Estate)
• NPR, SPR (Roads)
• Real Estate Agents • Tata Housing • Highest high-rises; Ireo • CCI case – DLF vs Belaire, Park Place Owners / Residents • Sector 29; Appu Ghar • Commercial property • The Realty Show - Real Estate Agents
children and citizens about the architectural, cultural and environmental heritage of Gurgaon (as well as India); an inheritance that is in urgent need to be protected and conserved for future generations. INTACH simultaneously organised a banner and slogan making competition. In addition, INTACH Gurgaon is setting up heritage clubs in schools, helping in adoption of monuments, conducting heritage walks at important sites, and spreading knowledge of arts, crafts, music and culture. Dev informs that INTACH also helps the schools in adopting a monument; that means not only getting to know it better, but also to take it to heart – saving it from oblivion and degradation, looking after it, promoting and appreciating it. “INTACH has listed 50 monuments, out of which at least twenty can be made available for adoption. A school group can choose to adopt a Memorial, Piyao, Baoli, Tomb, Haveli or any other monument in need of conservation, in Gurgaon District”, he says. The need of the hour, Dev says, is to inculcate a sense of history in our children, as well as the youth – so they can take pride in our heritage. It is said history repeats itself, and perhaps Gurgaon’s young generation can know more about the future if it revisits its past. u