INSPECTION NOTE ON HAZARDUARI PALACE, MURSHIDABAD, DIST. MURSHIDABAD, WEST BENGAL. I inspected Hazarduari Palace twice accompanied by Shri S K Dutta, Assistant Superintending Archaeological Engineer, Shri Sudipta Sen, Senior Conservation Assistant and Shri D. Moitra, Photographer Gr. II with a view to draw a comprehensive conservation plan of the building as well as holistic development of the Monument as Adarsha Smarak. Standing magnificently on the eastern bank of river Bhagirathi, this palace is known as Hazarduari because it contains about a thousand real and false doors. It was built by Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah (1829-37 A D). It was used for holding Durbar and as residence of high ranking English Officials. At present it is housing a period museum displaying a vast array of interesting exhibits which include life size painting of the- Nawab-s of Murshidabad, British Royal personages, silver thrones, palanquins, arms and armours, vases, ivory and marble objects and variety of many other objects. The following points are being furnished for consideration after inspection: 1. Colour washing with suitable colour has to be carried out immediately for its refurbishment. A Committee may be formed to suggest the modalities of the work. Patch repairing wherever necessary may be taken up before colour washing. Untidy wiring on outer facade of the building may also be re-fixed including the replacement of rain water pipes as per original. 2. The concrete road outside the main building within the complex has to be changed by metal road or by paver block road. The lime concrete road is getting damaged immediately and not lasting for long producing dirt and dust causing lot of problems to the visitors. 3. Horticultural activities at the area between Hazarduari Palace and Imambara adjoining Madina of Siraj-Ud-Daullah may be taken up as this area has been observed left bare. 4. Lightening conductors may be installed immediately. Meanwhile, for the existing lightning conductors megger testing may be done and necessary repairing may be carried out. 5. Thorough repairing of the entire roof has to be carried out to check the seepage of rain water for safety and security of the building including the antiquities of the museum, immediately visible cracks have to be repaired for which plan, drawing of the roof is required. Rooms below the roof have also to be marked for future course of action. Dome and skylights on the roof have to be repaired. The suggestion from the experts may be sought to repair the extensive roof after proper study of the physical condition of the roof. 6. Number of vertical cracks have been observed above the doors, windows etc. almost in all the floors. Possibly these have been developed due to recent two earthquakes. These cracks are to be checked regularly by fixing tell-tale glass. Moreover, t' c" \ of the cracks - su "estions have to be sou ht from the ex erts for retrofittin caused by the earthquakes. This has to be done urgently. 7. It has also been observed that some sort of vibration is felt on the floor of the upper storey while moving through the galleries. This is alarming. This building was not originally built to accommodate a museum in it. There is a large flow of visitors through out the year in this museum which is a great concern for the stability of the building. Visitors' movement has to be regulated/restricted in a systematic way. Load distribution pattern has to be detected and studied and structural investigation and analysis pertaining to the building materials like wooden beams, rafters, lime terracing, flooring are to be carried out immediately to get an idea of the condition of the building as well as for chalking out the programme of conservation works to be implemented immediately. Load bearing capacity of the structural members are also to be determined immediately. For this purpose, opinion of the experts from reputed institution is urgently needed and sufficient funds for suggested investigation have to be allotted. We may consult the Kharagpur IIT, Jada"'JPur Engineering College or CBRl, Rurki immediately. 8. Existing toilet block for the visitors are to be repaired or renovated immediately. Sometimes these became unmanageable/insufficient at the time of heavy rush. 9. CISF Personnel may be deployed immediately for the safety and security of the premises as well as for the museum. SupGfil1lenJing-Ardulco!ogist, HQ, New DeLhj Attached to Kolkata Circle.