From Ruin to Glory: Journey of a Haveli

HINDUSTAN TIMES, NEW DELHI 06 | metro | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2015 HERITAGE CONSERVATION HAVELI DHARAMPURA From ruin to glory: Journey of a haveli REVIVAL PLAN Despite several challenges, a late 19th century mansion in the narrow lanes of Shahjahanabad is slowly coming to life due to the untiring efforts of Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel

HT Correspondent ■ [email protected]

NEW DELHI: Till six years ago, this Haveli in Dharampura was just another dilapidated structure situated in the narrow lanes of Shahjahanabad. It had all the features distinctive to this part of the town -- a good mix of medieval and contemporary archi- tecture, decorative patterns on arches, exquisite floral carving on walls, circular pillars and elaborate wooden doors. But this architectural marvel in purani dilli was in ruins. Built around the cen- tral courtyard plan, this grand mansion constructed in the late 19th century would have collapsed under its own weight and disappeared from the landscape of the Walled city. But it survived after Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel took up the resto- ration challenge. It took six long years to achieve the goal. Now, the restored structure is popularly known as “Goel Saheb Ki Haveli”. Goel purchased the property from a Jain family around 10 years ago. Initially it had 60 rooms but the previous owner had been using just two. Goel did not touch the haveli for four years but decided to restore to its former glory in 2008 after his son Siddhant Goel encouraged him. “It was a crumbling structure. Rains were approaching, I was worried. My only concern was if it collapsed, its original artwork and designs would be lost forever. Then Siddhant persuaded me to restore ■ Stitching was done to fix cracks in walls, special artists were roped in for lime plaster on the exteriors and material it. I took up the challenge and pledged to NOW was sourced from various cities of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. redevelop it. I called several architects but no one was interested after seeing the OF AN ERA GONE BY condition of the building. Later, I engaged Havelis are an integral part of the life and architecture of the my architect friend based out of South historic city of Shahjahanabad. While many of them are lying Extension, Kapil Aggarwal. He helped me a lot. I would say that without his support in ruins, some of them have been restored by their owners. it wouldn’t have been possible,” said Goel, who is also two-time former Lok Sabha FEATURES OF A HAVELI MP from Chandni Chowk. But the restoration faced several chal- ■ Stone-carvings on the façade lenges. A significant portion of the haveli ■ Chhajja, overhanging deck, supported had already collapsed. A huge amount of by carved brackets debris lying on the terrace was weighing ■ Use of lakhori bricks that are small down the decaying structure. Removal of enough for masons to create fine tonnes of malba was a Herculean task. details on walls Goel claimed there was 1,000-truckloads ■ Passage between the main door and of wreckage. the courtyard The next hurdle was to find appropri- ■ Long courtyard with corridors on three ate techniques, materials and people to sides carry out reconstruction. Funds were limited and the work required expertise ■ Fountain in the courtyard and arches to preserve the unique character of the ■ Baithak, kitchen and other rooms structure. As Goel puts it, “Intriguing located by the corridors motifs and stone work can be redone but ■ Outer area near the entrance kept for the challenge was to retain the original men for their routine work form of the structure. We worked hard on ■ Minimal furniture in baithak, arrange- minute details. We used a few conserva- ment for sitting on floor tion techniques like stitching to fix cracks ■ Built around the central courtyard plan, the grand mansion constructed in the late 19th century. A large portion of ■ in walls. Another challenging task was THEN the haveli had collapsed and debris lying on the terrace was weighing down the decaying structure. Sandstone pillars to hold decaying eaves’ (Chajjas). I roped ■ Toilet located on one side with its in one local mason Suresh for the job.” To source conventional raw materi- Jharokhas are from Jaisalmer,” he said. it despite several hurdles without any door opening into the lane He said nearly `30 lakh were spent on als, Goel visited various cities of Uttar Different ornamental articles and arte- help from government. I will not stop conservation of the property measuring Pradesh and Rajasthan known for their facts were arranged from Delhi. “Wood here. I will keep working on restoration 600 square yards. indigenous products. Once he sent a giant carving work is done in trans-Yamuna of heritage in the Walled city area. I am The haveli’s exterior had a coating of wooden door to Shekhawati (Rajasthan) area from where I got carved lattoos (top) planning to set up a heritage centre under lime plaster -- which consists of lime, len- for its repair. “After I failed to get assist- which are attached to wooden beams on Heritage India Foundation (HIF) there. It tils, jaggery, jute fibre and wood-apple. It ance from the government and private the ceiling. Various other things were will help those who want to restore their required fresh coating. Goel approached agencies, I did extensive research myself collected from different farmhouses in havelis. I want to facilitate others with various agencies involved in conservation and personally visited various cities to Delhi,” he said. my knowledge which I acquired during to arrange skilled labourers. But it turned fetch different materials. I came to know The restoration of the haveli nears the process,” Goel said. out to be a disappointing experience. Then that stone carving is done in Sikandra. completion and Goel soon plans to open The MP wants the government to come he came to know about the ongoing con- I found Belgian glass replacement in a heritage hotel and a cultural-cum-herit- up with a economically-viable plan for her- servation work in the Red Fort. He con- Firozabad and brass fitting and fixtures age centre in its premises. He believes his itage property owners in Shahjahanabad. vinced trained labourers working there were brought from Aligarh. For decora- achievement may inspire several others He said strict norms and red tape are the and brought them to get lime plaster work tive lamps and marble fountain, I went who intend to carry forward their fore- biggest challenges in the way of conser- done in his haveli. to Moradabad and Jaipur respectively. fathers’ legacy. “I was passionate; I did vation of the historical Shahjahanabad.

USE OF LIME PLASTER

Conservation an expensive, tedious job ■ ■ Traditionally, masons in north India Lime is soaked in water for up to a HT Correspondent the dingy lanes there. In Dharampura, used lime and several indigenous fortnight for maximum binding ■ [email protected] there are several old havelis with intri- ingredients to plaster walls. Lime strength. It is then mixed with jag- cate carvings on their facades and giant mortar is known to have lasted for gery and gum from acacia tree for NEW DELHI: There are at least 554 hav- ornamental wooden doors. Commercial centuries though it takes much binding, powdered and soaked urad elis in Old Delhi which, if restored, units, however, dot the area too. There longer to make as compared to dal (for waterproofing), wood apple can revive the charm and glory are several havelis at Chawri Bazar, cement mortar. pulp and jute fibre (for shrinkage). Shahjahanabad was once known for. Chandni Chowk and Kucha Pati Ram Most of them are privately owned. A also, however, most of them have been HOW CONSERVATION CHALLENGES CAN BE MET scheme proposed by the Shahjahanabad split and turned into shops, garages and Redevelopment Corporation, which is godowns where mechanics and labour- likely to roll out in December, will give ers now work next to the fountain in the owners the opportunity and funds to greying courtyards. conserve their havelis much like the Some of the havelis that have one at Dharampura. been devastated and only their ruins With no government help in the off- remain, include the 1846 mansion of ing till now, conservation has been an Zeenat Mahal, Bahadurshah Zafar’s expensive and tedious process for own- third wife, at Lal Kuan which now has ers of these palatial houses. Many of a tattered facade and a primary school, them instead found it easier to move some shops and private offices running out than pay lakhs and run around on its premises. The haveli of Ghalib’s seeking permission for restoration. in-laws, where he is known to have per- Ownership disputes, unauthorised con- ■ The haveli at Dharampura, restored by Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel (left) and his son formed, lies neglected and encroached in struction and land sharks, meanwhile, Siddhant, sets an example for Old Delhi’s haveli owners. RAVI CHOUDHARY/HT PHOTO Ballimaran. Haksar ki Haveli at Kucha caused destruction of many of these Pati Ram, where Jawaharlal Nehru’s heritage structures that showcase the he was still staying in the narrow lanes `5 crore to an owner willing to conserve baraat stayed for three days, is hard to imperial architecture of the Mughal of Old Delhi only because it was conven- a haveli and reuse it as a hotel, art and locate. Its ruins lay covered in filth even and British era. ient and cheap. “These structures have culture centre, museum or tourism as flats are coming up all around it. FINANCE: Government may give aid/ NON-AVAILABILITY: of raw material “As these buildings are protected become old and it’s a risk to stay here. centre. The owners will also be offered According to OP Jain, heritage con- easy-interest free loan Development of commercial supply for by MCD or ASI, it’s difficult to carry The government should seriously decide tax holidays. servationist and former convenor of conventional or cost- effective alterna- out even minor repairs as several per- if they want to save Shahjahanabad or “The scheme is likely to be rolled out INTACH Delhi, people of Old Delhi will EXPERTISE: Government run centres tive material for renovation missions are required. Carrying out not,” he said. within a month. It is to inspire owners show interest in preserving their herit- for training /free consultation centre/ complete conservation will be full of The haveli at Dharampura that was to preserve their heritage and utilize it age only when it becomes profitable for economic sustainability plan for revital- MAINTENANCE: Allow tourism-driven complications. Also, it takes expenditure restored by Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel in the right way,” said an officer. them. SRDC’s scheme can make that ization of heritage businesses—Home stay, café, spa, eateries, boutiques, etc of lakhs of rupees, which I can instead will be used as a heritage hotel and a Though multi-storey flats domi- possible if owners and private investors STRICT LAWS: Single Window system earn by renting out my portion of the cultural centre now. It’s an example of nate the landscape of Old Delhi now, collaborate to turn the place around with clearance for restoration and legal OWNERSHIP DISPUTE: Legal assist- haveli to a trader,” said Dhiraj Sharma, what SRDC aims to achieve through its some beautiful mansions with original financial and technical support from assistance ance/mediation a resident of Kucha Pati Ram. He said new scheme that will grant funds up to installations and design still stand in the government.