[Reader-list] 13-century monument demolished by builders in Delhi

[Yousuf]

13th-century monument razed
1 Nov 2008, 0040 hrs IST, Richi Verma, TNN

NEW DELHI: A priceless relic of Delhi's medieval past has fallen to the greed of builders. Parts of a 13th century monument, built by Ghiyasuddin Balban, that once gave shelter to Arab traveller Ibn Batuta in the 14th century, have been demolished by private builders to make way for a multi-storey complex.

The 1245 AD structure, called Lal Mahal or Kushaki Lal, is located in Nizamuddin and was declared a heritage structure by the government and civic agencies. It was built by the Slave Dynasty ruler during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah, before Balban ascended the throne.

On Friday, this structure was found partially demolished. Its prominent chhatris and red sandstone structure is said to have been pulled down. Residents said the demolition started late Thursday night. When alerted, Archaeological Survey of India filed an FIR with Nizamuddin police station on Friday.

Experts wonder how the builder had the gumption to demolish the structure without the complicity of local authorities. MCD officials arrived at the site late in the evening. They said they didn't know who was the builder, and added they too have filed a police complaint. The local police, though, feigned ignorance about the FIR and complaint. DCP Ajay Chaudhary, however, acknowledged receipt of a complaint from MCD.

Placed in category A in terms of heritage value by Intach Delhi Chapter, the structure has also been prominently mentioned in the list of heritage buildings by both MCD and Delhi government's state department of archaeology. The latter had recently announced a grand plan to bring Lal Mahal and many other unprotected monuments into its purview and give them a facelift.

It's learnt the 'tehkhana' (basement) on which the structure stood still survives, although sources said the remaining portions of the structure too were in danger if the building wasn't acquired by the government at the earliest. The extent of the damage could not be properly assessed as the builders responsible for the demolition have erected huge barricades around the building, blocking all view of the structure.

ASI Delhi Circle chief, Dr K K Mohammed, said: "We have lodged an FIR against the demolition at the Nizamuddin police station."

No permission was taken from us: ASI

"The building is less than 20 metres away from Bara Khamba, which is an ASI protected monument and no permission was taken from us for any kind of construction/demolition activity here under the 100-meter prohibited zone rule," said ASI Delhi Circle chief, Dr K K Mohammed. Under law, no building activity can take place within 100 metres of a monument protected by ASI.

"Under the DMC Act, no alteration or demolition can take place in any existing structure without seeking prior approval of MCD. We have asked the police to not allow any further activity here. On Saturday, we will serve a showcause notice and seal the premises if necessary," said city zone deputy commissioner Vijay Singh.

For years, access to the structure has not been permitted as it falls within a private residence. This, sources said, has led to the monument falling into a state of neglect and decay. Agitated conservation architects and heritage experts insisted that the Lal Mahal had to be salvaged at all costs. "Considering it's one of the oldest structures in the city, it should have been under the umbrella of ASI or the state government," said a conservationist. Senior ASI officials admitted that the mahal should have been under central protection.

"The building is historically very important. It is around 800 years old and one of the relics of the Delhi Sultanate era. It must have been left out many years ago when the Ministry of Culture had notified many monuments as protected. If pressure builds up over this, the structure could be notified as a protected building," said an ASI official.

richi.verma at timesgroup.com