Bhopal is full of heritage buildings but these suffer from neglect, be it the old artificial water way 'Rahat', Benazir Gate or Sadar Manzil. These are a part our identity that would be passed on to the next generation. Serious steps are needed.
BHOPAL, THE capital city of Madhya Pradesh has many heritage buildings and places, many of them are protected by the state and Centre, and have retained their glory. But I wish to divert attention to the places, which need help.
Rahat is an old artificial water way heritage, which was constructed in Bhopal (next to the lake at police officer mess), it is an example of old technique of drawing water. It was used to carry water from lower lake to Noorbagh, which was the garden of Nawab Jahangir Mohammed Khan Palace. There was a 20 metre high wall along the bank of lake with an open drain in the upper portion to carry water to Noorbagh. Water was carried to up to 2.5 kilometres by sheer gravitational force. Water was drawn by Persian wheel, which is no more, but Rahat that worked with the help of oxen still exists. This is an example how in earlier times one used to transport water using gravitational force to an advantage. Rahat, as it is called, is a heritage where garden exists but the water in the lake nearby stinks. If you happen to climb the stairs, you will feel hurt to see the lake getting polluted.
Another heritage monument that needs attention is Benazir Gate. It is on the backside of Benazir palace built by Shah Jahan Begum as the summer rest house in 1877. Locals here share that this was a three storeyed building but now is left with only one, rest all have turned to debris. The one storey that is left out is lying in a devastated condition with no one to care. It should have been renovated and made an important landmark of the city, but in Bhopal it lies shattered.
Sadar Manzil, a great heritage building of Bhopal presently houses office of Bhopal Municipal Corporation. This building was built in 1898 AD by Nawab Shah Jahan Begum and was converted as Durbar hall of Bhopal by her daughter, Nawab Sultanjehan Begum. The mosaic of the building is akin to Deewan-e-Khas of Red Fort in Delhi. The building from outside still looks beautiful but with Municipal Corporation office running in it, it has lost a lot of history inside the same and its glory will get eroded, unless some action is taken.
Bhopal also has a Taj Mahal, a palace built by the Begum of Bhopal. Begum Shah Jahan had built this architectural marvel as her own residence in the year 1884. The construction of the same was started in year 1871 and was completed in the year 1884. Thanks to the efforts of non governmental organisations (NGOs), media and activists, the hall of Sheesh Mahal is now being renovated by the state archaeology department. Courtyard of this Taj Mahal has Sawan Bhadon Pavilion, which is similar to the ‘Sawan Bhadon’ of Shalimar Garden in Kashmir. It has many parts intact and effort are being made to retain its original look. Efforts are on to help it regain its lost pristine glory. It is time when government bodies take notice of the above three and undertake some serious steps to preserve these.
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