Delhi heritage

If looking back is an integral part of looking forward in the constitution of urban selfhood, then it is imperative to examine the nature of this retrospective glance. Who are the agents and agencies controlling this process? What is chosen as representative and seminal? Which ends are serviced and achieved thereby? Taking Delhi as its case and Shahjahanabad as its site, this chapter examines the affective linkages girding literary and planning imaginaries of this area. Closely reading a cross-section of novels, memoirs, and tour guides and juxtaposing these against key policy documents and project reports on the redevelopment of Shahjahanabad, this chapter argues that nostalgia is a significant qualitative component of planning visions for the future of this precinct. Mediated by and large by this literary corpus on Mughal grandeur, this nostalgia forges socio-cultural continuities out of sync with Shahjahanabad’s recent history of deeply unsettling political and communal ruptures. In seeking to selectively restore the area’s lost glory as the cultural centre of Mughal India, the redevelopment of Shahjahanabad prioritizes heritage tourism and trade over the civic and infrastructural requirements of the area’s residences and its many commercial establishments. Evaluating the discursive prevalence of nostalgia as an affective determinant of public planning and policy in the case of Shahjahanabad, this chapter advocates therefore more grounded critiques of planning, heritage, and affect in South Asian cities.

Ghalib, the legendary Urdu shayar (poet) is one of the most discussed Urdu poets having been translated into many Indian and foreign languages. His poetic expressions have continued to rule hearts of poetry lovers for over 200 years. However, he is part of a greater narrative a metaphor of his times, an important aspect when interpreting the heritage of and on the poet. This article is just one small example. #Delhiheritagewalks

Synergies Inde n°6 -2013 25 Résumé En se basant sur des documents datant, pour la plupart, du XIXe et du début du XXe siècle, ainsi que sur les résultats d'un travail de terrain réalisé ponctuellement à Delhi ces dernières années, cet article propose une étude du patrimoine historique datant de la période précoloniale dans la capitale indienne. Il analyse, dans un premier temps, la façon dont les habitants se sont, au fil des ans, réappropriés l'histoire des monuments de la ville. Il s'intéresse ensuite aux conflits d'intérêts auxquels se heurte le patrimoine de cette ville en pleine expansion, où le logement et les transports constituent des défis majeurs. Le troisième chapitre de l'article étudie comment les monuments historiques de la ville sont devenus, à leur insu, des acteurs du débat né de la montée du fondamentalisme au XXe siècle. Il livre enfin une analyse critique des tentatives entreprises ces dernières décennies par le gouvernement et les agences de conservation pour assurer la protection de ce patrimoine.

Delhi is an illustrious canvas of Islamic heritage
dating back to 12th century. Of these three are the World
Heritage Sites; numerous are listed under the protection
of central and state government agencies. However, there
is large number of heritage structures interspersed in the
modern urban sprawl of the capital city, that are lesser known
and not protected by any agency.
These heritage structures falling under the category of
mosques, tombs, madrasa, mahal, etc., are in a dilapidated
state with severe structural distress and subjected to
vandalism due to encroachments. Pressure of urbanisation
and demographic shifts in the recent history has created a
situation where these structures are seen as obstructions
by the local residents. Local residents do not associate with
these structures and has expressed for the removal.
However, these heritage structures are important
markers in imparting continuity to the much altered heritage
fabric by the modern development. Also, as the city of Delhi is
preparing for the coveted status of the World Heritage City, it
is important to conserve this anonymous layer of the heritage.
Conventionally, in most of the cases where conservation of
heritage is undertaken, the attempt is to repair and restore the
structure and the fabric of the monument without addressing
the need of holistic conservation. As a result these structures
are again subjected to the abuse and neglect, reversing all
the restoration work. The situation becomes more explicit to
these lesser known monuments situated in various localities
surrounded by the residential and commercial quarters.
While preparing the conservation report for five of these
heritage structures as the pilot project for the Delhi state
government, the author as the project in charge devised
conservation approach for the holistic conservation of these
monuments. The dimensions of
1. socio-cultural relevance,
2. economic augmentation and
3. ecological enrichment,
were added to the physical restoration of the structure.
Through the approach of holistic conservation, the author
aimed at imparting relevant and sustainable life to the
restored structure.

Delhi is an illustrious canvas of Islamic heritage dating back to 12th century. Of these three are the World Heritage Sites; numerous are listed under the protection of central and state government agencies. However, there is large number of heritage structures interspersed in the modern urban sprawl of the capital city, that are lesser known and not protected by any agency. These heritage structures falling under the category of mosques, tombs, madrasa, mahal, etc., are in a dilapidated state with severe structural distress and subjected to vandalism due to encroachments. Pressure of urbanisation and demographic shifts in the recent history has created a situation where these structures are seen as obstructions by the local residents. Local residents do not associate with these structures and has expressed for the removal. 1. socio-cultural relevance, 2. economic augmentation and 3. ecological enrichment, were added to the physical restoration of the structure. Through the approach of holistic conservation, the author aimed at imparting relevant and sustainable life to the restored structure.