Viajes India
23th September, 2011
Red Fort in New Delhi All Set To Gain Back Its Bejewelled Glory
Visitors to the Red Fort will soon get to see the 17th Century World Heritage Site in its original Mughal setting, with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) implementing a comprehensive conservation plan. Inlay work on several of the Mughal structures that were lost over a period of time are now getting back the semi-precious stones that adorned the walls. The water channels and fountains too are in the process of being rejuvenated.
The historic fort is abuzz with massive conservation activity with traditional artisans working overtime at the site. Chemical conservation work at the site has thrown up interesting findings at Naubat Khana, where after removing layers of plaster, Mughal-era paintings are being revealed on the inner arches of the dome. Officials said that the paintings were concealed as over the centuries several changes were made by the British to the structure as part of repair work.
Mughal structures such as Sawan and Bhadon Pavilions had intricate inlay work but had lost the semi-precious stone fittings, now being refitted. The Rang Mahal, that consists of a large hall, originally painted on the interior, from which it derives its name, meaning the “palace of colour”, too is getting a massive facelift with inlay work near the fountain and the ceiling and walls being conserved.
The structure is divided into six compartments by engrailed arches set on piers and the walls and ceilings of the two apartments on its northern and southern ends were originally embedded with tiny pieces of mirror, which were lost over the years. As part of the conservation, the walls and ceilings are once again being redone with pieces of mirror to recreate the original look.
KK Muhammed, Superintending Archaeologist, Delhi Circle, ASI told Newsline: “The inlay work is being redone using semi-precious stones like topaz, agate, jade, jasper, malacite and onyx. The work at Rang Mahal around the fountain and Sawan Pavilion is complete, while work at Bhadon Pavilion is still on and will take a little more time. The larger plan is to revive the Mughal setting of the monument and for that we are taking up work in a phase-wise manner.”
In an effort to revive the overall setting of the monument the gardens, fountains and water channels across the site are also being rejuvenated. Muhammed said that work on this is expected to take another six months, while the conservation work on the heritage structures will take a little more time.
Over 30 unwanted structures that had come up in the British period and post-Independence have already been demolished. The ASI, in its Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for the site, had identified around 100 such structures that had no historic relevance to the monument and recommended their demolition. The structures include garages, toilets and rooms.
According to plans, the War Memorial Museum and the Mumtaz Mahal Museum would be shifted to the colonial-era barracks to offload the pressure from Naubat Khana and Mumtaz Mahal respectively.
As part of an effort to conserve the monument, the ASI had commissioned the Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative, an agency working towards heritage conservation, to prepare the CCMP and make the site a must see on anyone’s travel itinerary.
