Condition Assessment of Mohindra College in Patiala, Punjab, India

CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION- FINAL REPORT

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

CHITKARA SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE NAKSHNOOR SINGH, NIPPUN BHALLA, RITIKA KAPOOR, VINAY KAUSHAL

CONTENTS 1.

UNDERSTANDING THE HERITAGE VALUES

3

2. ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL AND STRUCTURAL

CONDITIONS

7

3.

SUGGESTING FUTURE INTERVENTIONS

14

4.

SOURCES

15

1

UNDERSTANDING THE HERITAGE VALUES

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The 21.70 acre Mohindra College campus at Patiala, owes its existence to the munificence and philanthropic zeal of the late Maharaja Mohindra Singh in 1875. The college Building is a beautiful blend of regional architectural styles. At the time of its inception, it was the only institution of its kind from Delhi to Lahore. Initially it was intended to impart education in Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic. The teaching of English and Mathematics was added afterwards and the college was affiliated to Calcutta University.

Govt. Mohindra College, Patiala was an outcome of efforts made by Maharaja Mohindra Singh (1852-76) of Patiala to his subjects. He ascended the throne of Patiala in1862 when

MAHARAJA MAHENDRA SINGH

he was only ten. Educationally, Patiala was rather impoverished with only a few schools of languages initially. Adequately developed infrastructure for an educational institution was brought by the progressive vision of Maharaja Mohindra Singh who brought education, in the form of Mohindra College to Patiala.

He invited His Excellency Lord Northbrook, the then Viceroy of India to lay the foundation stone of the College building on 30th March, 1875. The building was completed in about ten years and on March 17, 1884, Lord Ripon, Vice Roy of India at that time, performed the opening ceremony of the College. Originally a sum of 3 laces was spent on the construction of the college and the hostel building. Lord Ripon hailed the grand College building as ‘magnificent architectural monument’ in his speech and praised Maharaja Mohinder Singh for his generosity.

In 1875, the Mohindra College was first affiliated to the Calcutta University and after the establishment of Panjab university in 1882 it changed its affiliation to it.

Initially the staff consisted of 41 masters and officials of whom 4 belonged to the college department, 12 to the Anglo-Vernacular High School, 8 to the Vernacular High School, 4 to the Persian, 2 to the Arabic and 6 to the Sanskrit and 2 to the Gurumukhi section with a librarian, a gymnastic instructor and a clerk. Initially the total number of students is 324, of which 41 students were boarders in the boarding house.

No fees were charged initially except 12 annas a month, charged from each student per month as maintenance charges. According to the original plan, the building of Mohindra College was to be double the size than what it is at present.

3| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

There were to be four towers around a courtyard.

However, the College now has two towers and a courtyard known as ‘the quadrangle.’ The College building is a beautiful blend of the Gothic, Roman, Mughal and Indian architectural styles. The initial strength of the college at the time of inception was 324 of which 41 were boarders. The strength increased manifold and in the year 2012 the intake was 5000, which has now further increased to 7000 students in various graduate and post graduate disciplines.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COLLEGE Govt. Mohindra College, Patiala was a gift of the Maharaja of Patiala (1852-76), who ascended the throne of Patiala at the tender age of ten and left his impression on the educational life of the state by creating this institution during his life span.it was named after the Maharaja’s name and is one of the leading and the oldest institution of contemporary higher learning in northern India. It was the first college of its kind between Delhi and Lahore to promote education and literacy among the common masses. The laying of an educational institution on a scale reflected a p progressive social reform by the rulers of the area which significantly contributed in the process of modernization.

The foundation stone of the college was laid way back in 1875 when Patiala was one of the progressive princely states of India.in 1958 the government of India released a one rupee stamp with the photo of Mohindra college on it . The college building has rich characteristics of the British Colonial Architecture blended with a classical touch with semi-circular arch and ionic columns along the length of corridor, pediment over the entrance portico and Corinthian columns, decorative cornices, and pilasters, stucco work on the external facade, decorative parapets and huge gothic style minarets.

4| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

LOCATION Patiala is a city in southeastern Punjab, in northern India. It is the fourth largest city in the state and is the administrative capital of Patiala district.it forms the south- eastern part of the state, it lies between 30.32°N 76.40°E. Patiala district with an area of 3625 sq. kms.

Was the 5th largest district of the Punjab (area wise) after Amritsar, Ferozpur, Sangrur, Ludhiana.

The city of Patiala has two parts – the walled city and the city outside the walled city.

The growth of the city began from the Qila Mubarak within the walled city from where the city is said to be originated and then grew radially along its edges.

Mohindra College campus is outside the Patiala walled city opposite to the national institute os sports, located on the lower mall road. The road along the entrance of the college is known as the college road.

5| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

No. Variable

Main College Building

1

Original & Originally used as academic block and now houses classrooms and Present use of faculty rooms for different departments the structure

2

Date / Period 1875 of construction Brief history Govt. Mohindra College, Patiala was an outcome of efforts made by Maharaja Mohindra Singh (1852-76) of Patiala to his subjects. His Excellency Lord Northbrook, the then Viceroy of India to lay the foundation stone of the College building on 30th March, 1875. The building was completed in about ten years and on March 17, 1884, Lord Ripon, Vice Roy of India at that time, performed the opening ceremony of the College. The first formal educational infrastructure by the efforts of Maharaja Mohindra Singh for formal, western style learning in the northern region.

3

4 5

Total covered 4208.81 sq.m area No. of floors Two storied structure with two towers on two ends.

6

Plan / Design

U- Shape symmetrical about central axis around huge courtyard.

7

Construction materials & Structure systems

Load bearing walls with varying thickness between 600mm to 1900mmthick brick walls. Brick size 225x112x75 were the structural material used for construction. The mortar used was mixed with brick, coarse sand and water. A homogenous layer of lime plaster with red pigment covered the brick walls. Cast iron girders to support the roof have been used as roof supporting structural components.

8

Visual Attributes

Rich architectural characteristics of the British colonial architecture blended with classical touch with semi-circular arch and ionic columns along the length of the corridor, pediment over the entrance portico, stucco work on external faรงade an huge gothic style minarets.

9

Ornamental Elements

Decorative parapets, rich cornices, shafts and base of columns in Ionic and Corinthian orders and decorative arcaded colonnades.

10

Physical Conditional Assessment

Structurally the building is sound without any major cracks. Wooden ceiling is decaying due to termite attack. Wooden frames of doors and windows are slightly rotten. The surface of the building is in average condition but a few places the external plaster is peeled off. Decorative elements need repair. The towers are in very bad condition.

`Photographs

6| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

2

ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL AND STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS TABLE 1: CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF WING A ROOM NO.

PAST STATE

PRESENT STATE

APPROX. AREA (R.ft )

1

MULTI- PURPOSE HALL

MULTI- PURPOSE HALL

16x33

2

CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM

10x17

3

CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM

10x17

4 5

CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM

10x17

CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM

10x17

6

CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM

10x16

7

CLASSROOM

CLASSROOM

10x16

8

CLASSROOM

DEPARTMENT OF FINE ARTS

16x14

9

CLASSROOM

LOCKED

10x17

10

CLASSROOM

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

-

11

CLASSROOM

GYM

-

12

CLASSROOM

STORE

32x12

ANY ADDITION/ ALTERATION Found in a considerable state but due to lack of classroom available the MPH is doubled up as a lecture hall too.

Absence of wooden joist

Found in good state

*NOTE: Room No. 9 to 12 were found locked on the day of visit.

COMMON FEATURES: 1) Bricks used in construction: Nanak Shahi Bricks 2) Brick size: 225x112x75mm 3) 1/2” thick Lime Mortar plaster was used in construction 4) There are Clear storey windows 5) All the classrooms were inter-connected to each other via internal doorways leading towards the Multi-purpose hall 6) Skylights have been provided in most of the rooms in order to recieve adequate amount of natural light wherever possible

7) Wooden joist members are supporting the roof.

COMMON ISSUES: 1) EXPOSED WIRING 2) DAMPNESS IN THE CEILING 3) SPILLING OF PLASTER 4) PATCHES ON THE WALLS 5) ENCROACHMENT OF BIRDS AND ANIMALS 6) LACK OF MAINTAINENCE CAUSED BY SHEAR NEGLIGENCE OF MANAGEMENT 7) INCOMPATIBLE USE OF MATERIAL FOR REPAIR (CEMENT MORTAR IS USED INSTEAD OF LIME MORTAR PLASTER) 8) DOORWAYS WHICH WERE CONNECTING ONE CLASSROOM TO THE OTHER HAVE BEEN BROUGHT DOWN AND THE FENESTRATIONS HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH BRICKS. 9)

DAMAGE CAUSED BY TERMITES TO DOORS AND WINDOWS

10) TRANSFORMATION OF SOME ROOMS TO MEET SPECIFIC PURPOSES WHICH MAKE THEM AESTHETICALLY ODD FROM THE WHOLE STUCTURE 11) INTERRUPTION IN VENTILATION CAUSED BY MISMANAGED CONSTRUCTION BY BLOCKING ENTRANCE FROM THE INNER COURTYARD

12) IMPROPER CONSTRUCTION DONE BY LAYING WALLS IN THE CORRIDORS TO AVAIL MORE SPACE IN ORDER TO ACCOMODATE THE INCREASING STRENGTH OF STUDENTS, INSTEAD OF USING THE UPPER FLOOR

13) CORRIDORS OF INNER COURTYARD ARE USED FOR DUMPING THE OLD/ BROKEN FURNITURE AND WASTE OF THE CAMPUS.

7| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

FRONT VIEW OF THE MAIN BUILDING

REAR VIEW OF THE MAIN BUILDING

PICTURES OF THE INNER COURTYARD

TABLE 2: CODES FOR DENOTING CONDITION FOR EACH AREA

8| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

ROOM 1: MULTI- PURPOSE HALL

B C

A D

TABLE 3: CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MULTI- PURPOSE HALL ITEMS

SPECIFICATIONS

PRESENT CONDITION

ASSESSMENT CODES

FLOOR

Wooden Flooring

Is In Good Condition

Good

CEILING

Wooden Rafters + Iron Girders Supporting Brick Tiles

Good. No Structural Damage

Good

225x112x75mm Thk. Brick Walls With Lime Mortar Plaster and Paint

Good

A

Entrance door

Satisfactory condition

B

Arched doorways and fans placed in between to doors

Good

C

Doors and windows leading to the inner courtyard

Good

D

Arched doorways and fans placed in between to doors

Good

JOINERY

Paneled Doors With Wooden Frame And Glass Infill

Little Wear And Tear With The Passage Of Time

Intricate Work On Railings, Framed Picture Of The King And Placement Of Fans

Good

Exposed Wiring

Working Properly

WALLS

ANTIQUE ITEMS ELECTRICAL

Good Fair Good

9| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

ROOM 2 to 7: CLASSROOMS ROOM 2: CLASSROOM

IMG 2: Left Side Door Leading To The Next Classroom

IMG 1: Entrance Door of the Classroom

IMG 3: Internal View of the Classroom

IMG 6: Wooden Rafters And Iron Girders Supporting The Ceiling

IMG 4: Right Side Doorway Leading To The MPH

IMG 5: View Of The Classroom from Inside to Outside

TABLE 4: CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF CLASSROOM 1 ITEMS

SPECIFICATIONS

PRESENT CONDITION

ASSESSMENT CODES

FLOOR

CC Flooring

Good Condition

Good

CEILING

Wooden Rafters + Iron Girders Supporting Brick Tiles

Good. No Structural Damage

Good

225x112x75mm Thk. Brick Walls With Lime Mortar Plaster and Paint

Plaster chipped off at some places and is redone with Cement plaster (visible in Images)

A

Entrance door

Satisfactory condition

WALLS

B

Arched doorways and fans placed on the wall

Fair

C

Door openings closed with Brick work

Bad

D

Arched doorways and fans placed on the walls

Fair Fair

JOINERY

Paneled Doors With Wooden Frame And Glass Infill

Little Wear And Tear With The Passage Of Time

ANTIQUE ITEMS

Nothing as such. Classroom Furniture, Lamp holders suspending from the ceiling, placement of fans

Fair

Exposed Wiring

Working Properly

ELECTRICAL

Fair Good

10| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

ROOM 3: CLASSROOM

IMG 1: View Of The Classroom From The Door

IMG 2: Wooden Rafters Missing In The Ceiling

TABLE 5: CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF CLASSROOM

ITEMS

SPECIFICATIONS

PRESENT CONDITION

ASSESSMENT CODES

FLOOR

CC Flooring

Good Condition

Good

CEILING

Iron Girders supporting the ceiling

Wooden rafters have been removed due to the decay of wood

Good

225x112x75mm Thk. Brick Walls With Lime Mortar Plaster and Paint

Plaster chipped off at some places and is redone with Cement plaster (visible in Images)

A

Entrance door

Satisfactory condition

B

Doors leading to the next class are no more functional.

Visible filling with brickwork

Fair

C

Door openings closed with Brick work

Fair

D

Door openings closed with Brick work

Fair

WALLS

JOINERY

Paneled Doors With Wooden Frame And Glass Infill Vents Little Wear And Tear With The Passage Of Time. Glass in the Openings Dirty and broken

ANTIQUE ITEMS ELECTRICAL

Fair

Nothing as such. Classroom Furniture, Lamp holders suspending from the ceiling, placement of fans

Fair

Exposed Wiring

Working Properly

Fair Good

ROOM 4 and 5 : CLASSROOM

IMG 1: Corridor connecting all the Spaces

IMG 2: Entry Door of Room 5

IMG 4: View of Two Rooms Via Inter-Connecting Doors

IMG 3: View of Room 5 From Room 4

IMG 5: Ceiling with Skylight Provision

TABLE 5: CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF CLASSROOM

ITEMS

SPECIFICATIONS

PRESENT CONDITION

ASSESSMENT CODES

FLOOR

CC Flooring

Good Condition

Good

CEILING

Iron Girders supporting the ceiling and there is a provision of Skylight.

Wooden rafters have been removed due to the decay of wood

Good

225x112x75mm Thk. Brick Walls With Lime Mortar Plaster and Paint

Plaster chipped off at some places and is redone with Cement plaster (visible in Images)

A

Entrance door

Satisfactory condition

WALLS

B

Doors connecting one room to another

Good

C

Provision of Black Board

Fair

D

Doors connecting one to another closed in Room4 and Cabinets are provided in Room 5

JOINERY

Paneled Doors With Wooden Frame And Glass Infill Vents

Little Wear And Tear With The Passage Of Time.

Glass in the Openings Dirty and broken

ANTIQUE ITEMS

Nothing as such. Classroom Furniture, Lamp holders suspending from the ceiling, placement of fans

Fair

Exposed Wiring

Working Properly

ELECTRICAL

Fair

Fair Good

11| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

ROOM 6 and 7: CLASSROOM

IMG1: Entry door of Room 6

IMG 2: Interior view

IMG 5: Connectig Door Closed with Brick

IMG 6: Corridor

IMG 3: Ceiling with Skylight

IMG 7: Interior view and furniture layout of Room 7

IMG 9: Entry door of Room 7

IMG 4: Interior View

IMG 8: Interior View

IMG 10: Ceiling with skylight and walls showcasing Door and Vent Fenestrations

TABLE 6: CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF CLASSROOM ITEMS

SPECIFICATIONS

PRESENT CONDITION

ASSESSMENT CODES

FLOOR

CC Flooring

Good Condition

Good

CEILING

Iron Girders supporting the ceiling and there is a provision of Skylight.

Good condition

Good

225x112x75mm Thk. Brick Walls With Lime Mortar Plaster and Paint

Plaster chipped off at some places and is redone with Cement plaster (visible in Images)

Fair

JOINERY

Paneled Doors With Wooden Frame And Glass Infill Vents

Little Wear And Tear With The Passage Of Time.

Glass in the Openings Dirty and broken

Fair

ANTIQUE ITEMS

Nothing as such. Classroom Furniture, Lamp holders suspending from the ceiling, placement of fans

Fair

Exposed Wiring

Working Properly

WALLS

ELECTRICAL

Good

12| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

ROOM 8: DEPARTMENT OF FINE ARTS

IMG 3: View of the Room

IMG 2: Display of Art Work

IMG 1: Ceiling with Skylight

TABLE 7: CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF DEPTT. OF FINE ARTS ITEMS

IMG 4: Placement of Fan and Tubelights

SPECIFICATIONS

PRESENT CONDITION

ASSESSMENT CODES

FLOOR

CC Flooring

Good Condition

Good

CEILING

Iron Girders supporting the ceiling and there is a provision of Skylight.

Good Condition

Good

WALLS

225x112x75mm Thk. Brick Walls With Lime Mortar Plaster and Paint

Well kept and painted properly.

No visibility of Plaster chipping off

Good

JOINERY

Paneled Doors With Wooden Frame And Glass Infill Vents

Well maintained Joinery

Good

ANTIQUE ITEMS

Posters and sketches of students have been pinned up on the board. There are some sculptures too by the students

In a very Good Condition

Good

ELECTRICAL Exposed Wiring

Working Properly

IMG 5: View of Window and the Vent above

ROOM 9 and 10: DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION and MOHINDRA GYM

IMG 1: Door of the Deptt. of Physical Education

IMG 2: Mohindra Gym

IMG 3: Corridor leading to the Deptt.’s of Fine Arts, Phy. Edu,Gym and furthur to the Play field

IMG 4: Cut-outs Provided at all turning points in the Corridor

* NOTE: Room 9 to 12 could not be viewed as they were locked on the day of Visit.

Therefore, there is not much data available of them.

13| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

3

SUGGESTING FUTURE INTERVENTIONS

As the Burra Charter clearly mentions in its article 7.2 – “A place should have a compatible use”, the use or adaptive re-use of the heritage building in question should imbibe the cultural and historical context of the building, without resulting in any distortion of the fabric. (Burra Charter, Article 21).

Considering the above mentioned guidelines and comparing them with the current use and its effect on Mohindra College building, it is evident that the guidelines have not been correctly followed and restoration, repair and a change of use is necessary for the building’s welfare.

The present use of the building is causing vandalism and impractical use of inhabitable areas to make room for the un-realistic present student intake (corridors turned into classrooms and mezzanines constructed in double height corridors to make more room). The conditional assessment of the building clearly indicates that the present use of the building proves to be highly incompatible and is causing harm to the fabric. Since the building cannot accommodate the present student intake, it can be used for a different purpose altogether, a function that is compatible to the place and retains its age old academic nature.

Considering all the above factors, the supposed re-use of the place can be an academic research facility and the surrounding vicinity can be redesigned into a convention centre. A fine example of such a complex could be the India habitat centre. The IHC houses offices of major housing organisations, the Teri library and an elaborate convention centre, fine dining complexes, a theatre and a club house. The amalgamation of all these functions in the same building complex makes it a bustling urban hub and an asset to the UT of Delhi. Such a complex will surely enhance the quality of living and the cultural trends of the princely state of Patiala. The project would involve both adaptive reuse of the building and new work in the precinct. The one side open courtyard can be turned into a piazza, and edifices can be created behind the building with a visual relation to this open space.

14| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA

4

SOURCES

1) http://govtmohindracollege.in/ 2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohindra_College 3) Site Visit 4) Condition Assessment Briefs by Ar. Niyati Jigyasu 5) Documentation on Mohindra College, Patiala by Ar. Kanika Bansal and Ar. Mona Malhotra 6) Burra Charter

15| CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF MOHINDRA COLLEGE, PATIALA