UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University

Kashmere Gate Campus, Delhi

RESEARCH PAPER, 2013-14

Balancing Heritage and Contemporary

Architecture in Delhi

Kavya Gupta

Roll no. - 1790701610

Fourth Year, 2013-2014

GUIDE

Ar. Vijay Matange

i

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Kashmere Gate, Delhi

APPROVAL

Research Paper title: Balancing Heritage and Contemporary Architecture

in Delhi

The following study is here by approved as a creditable work on the approved

subject, carried out and presented in a manner sufficiently satisfactory to

warrant its acceptance as a pre-requisite to the degree for which it has been

submitted.

It is to be understood that by this approval, the undersigned does not necessarily

endorse or approve any statement made, opinion expressed or conclusion

drawn therein, but approves the study for the purpose of which it is submitted

and which satisfies the requirements laid down by the Research Paper

Committee.

Date: 16th May 2014

Submitted by:

Kavya Gupta Guide: Ar. Vijay Matange

Roll no. - 1790701610

2013-2014

External Examiner

Research Paper Co-ordinators

ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is a matter of great privilege and honour to express my sincere thanks and

deep sense of gratitude to my guide Ar. Vijay Matange for his invaluable

assistance throughout the semester that reinforced the development of all

aspect of this study.

I would like to thank Ar. Sumant Sharma, the academic coordinator for his

continual input and critical assessment that helped in successful completion of

work. No words are sufficient to express affection and regards to my parents and

friends for their unflinching words of encouragement that made me tide over

moments of stress and enabled me to succeed in this endeavour.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Approval .............................................................................................................................. i

Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. iii

List of Figures ...................................................................................................................... v

List of Tables ....................................................................................................................... vi

Abstract ............................................................................................................................. 1

1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 4

1.2 Research Questions ............................................................................................... 4

1.3 Hypothesis ............................................................................................................... 5

1.4 Methodology .......................................................................................................... 5

2. Significance of Heritage and Conservation ............................................................. 6

2. 1 Heritage .................................................................................................................. 7

2.2 Conservation .......................................................................................................... 8

3. Heritage Policies ........................................................................................................... 9

3.1 Concept of Buffer Zone ...................................................................................... 11

3.2 Heritage Laws of Delhi ........................................................................................ 15

3.2.1 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and

Remains Act 2010 .................................................................................................... 15

3.2.2 Delhi Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and

Remains Act 2004 .................................................................................................... 18

4. Case Studies ............................................................................................................... 20

4.1 Delhis Heritage .................................................................................................... 21

4.2 Shershah Gate & Khairul Manazil Mosque, Pragati Maidan ......................... 28

4.2.1 Relevance of choosing ................................................................................ 28

4.2.2 Present status ................................................................................................. 28

4.2.3 Historical Background................................................................................... 29

4.2.4 Conservation Objectives ............................................................................. 30

4.2.5 Proposed Heritage Bye Laws ....................................................................... 30

4.2.6 Conservation Approach .............................................................................. 32

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4.2.7 Inferences .................................................................................................. 33

4.3 LIC Building, Connaught Place .......................................................................... 36

4.3.1 Relevance of choosing ................................................................................ 36

4.3.2 Connaught Place ......................................................................................... 36

4.3.3 LIC.................................................................................................................... 37

4.3.4 Inferences ....................................................................................................... 40

5. Conclusions ................................................................................................................. 42

6. Appendices ................................................................................................................. 46

7. Reference list ............................................................................................................... 52

8. Bibliography ................................................................................................................ 53

v

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 : Relationship between built heritage and surrounding ............................. 13

Figure 2 : Graphical Representation of AMASRA 2010; Source : Google Earth

image ............................................................................................................... 17

Figure 3 : Graphical Representation of DAMASRA 2004; Source : Google Earth

image ............................................................................................................... 19

Figure 4 : Delhi Map highlighting core Delhi having all built heritage, and area

which has been later zoomed in; Source : Author .................................... 21

Figure 5 : Map showing Nominated World Heritage Zones, World and National

Heritage Monuments in area spread from Kamla Nagar to Mehrauli;

Source : Author ............................................................................................... 23

Figure 6 : Map showing Nominated World Heritage Zones, World and National

Heritage Monuments along with prohibited, regulated and buffer

areas, in area spread from Kamla Nagar to Mehrauli;

Source : Author ............................................................................................... 25

Figure 7 : Location Map of Sher Shah Gate and Khairul Manzil Mosque; Source

wonobo.com .................................................................................................. 28

Figure 8 : Sher Shah Gate; Source : commons.wikimedia.org ................................. 29

Figure 9 : Khair ul Manazil Mosque; Source : Author ............................................ 29

Figure 10 : Distribution of regulated zone into 4 for control of height ..................... 30

Figure 11 : Proposed prohibited and regulated areas around Sher Shah

Gate and Khairul Manzil Masjid ................................................................. 32

Figure 12 : Temporary Shed of NDMS; Source : INTACH ............................................ 32

Figure 13 : View of Cars parked from the monument;

Source : www.wikipedia.com..................................................................... 32

Figure 14 : View of the building from monument; Source : INTACH ........................ 32

Figure 15 : Proposed Design for Site by INTACH; Source : INTACH .......................... 33

Figure 16 : Proposal for buffer area of Sher Shah gate and khairul manzil mosque

for their better integration with the urban context; Source : Author .... 35

Figure 17 : Sketch plan of present Connaught place; Source : www.rudi.net ...... 36

Figure 18 : Aerial view of Connaught place;

Source: groupsolus.wordpress.com ........................................................... 37

Figure 19 : Architecture features of Connaught Place; Source : worldtour-

bharat.blogspot.com .................................................................................. 37

Figure 20 : Location plan of LIC; Source: Charles Correa architect in India by

Hasan-uddin-Khan, Public building- LIC Centre, Delhi. .......................... 37

Figure 21 : LIC Building contrasting architecture of Connaught place;

Source : travel.cnn.com ............................................................................. 38

Figure 22 : Roof top plan of LIC; Source: Charles Correa architect in India by

Hasan-uddin-Khan, Public building- LIC Centre, Delhi. .......................... 39

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Figure 23 : View of LIC; Source: Charles Correa architect in India by

Hasan-uddin-Khan,Public building - LIC Centre, Delhi. .......................... 39

Figure 24 : Font view of LIC from central park of Connaught Place;

Source : Bala photo blog, unlimitedperspective.wordpress.com ......... 39

Figure 25 : Skyline of Connaught place; Source : www.touristlink.com .................. 41

Figure 26 : Plan showing LIC building falling in Regulated zone of Jantar Mantar;

Source : Google Earth image ..................................................................... 41

Figure 27 : Plan showing Steinabad falling under regulated zone of Lodhi tombs;

Source : Google Earth image ..................................................................... 45

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Comparison between Connaught place and LIC; Source : Author40

1

ABSTRACT

One cannot hope, a city to move into the future if its buildings represent

only the past. And also if we neglect our built heritage, it is to our, and

future generations', detriment. Without the monuments to our past, our

presence has no meaning, uprooted and detached from the succession

of events which carry us into the future.

( Nancy H. Welsh , 2011)

Heritage precincts represent the style of their time. They are unique to us

culturally, aesthetically and historically. Every country owns a set of heritage

precincts which represents their glorious past. And since architecture is

irreplaceable and irreversible, every country is trying their best to conserve them

for benefit of our present and future generations.

Conservation offers this unique opportunity of making our past a part of our

future. Every city has its own set of heritage building laws, to deliver the heritage

in best possible way to our present and future generations. One of the laws that

many cities have is, enforcement of a buffer zone around a heritage building, to

prevent unwelcomed development around it. A buffer zone comprises of either

both prohibited and regulated zone or one of them. No construction is allowed

to take place in a prohibited zone which is considered to be of prime

importance for protection of heritage values of the building; and minimal

construction (according to a set of building guidelines) is allowed in a regulated

zone which is considered to be of secondary importance for the protection of

same.

Existence of these buffer zones might help us by preventing encroachment in

heritage buildings, but somewhere they encourage a gap between our past

and present. They isolate and differentiate the heritage buildings from urban

context as the difference between the historic urban fabric and other get easily

noticeable and often result in making them museums scattered all over the

urban fabric. Even in places where we get a chance to build around a heritage

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building having no buffer zone around it, we end up making buildings which are

sensitive towards the heritage but not true to contemporary architecture. And by

doing so, we end up giving more importance to our past than present.

It is said by many, that new buildings have value only when they present a

challenge to the passing time. Buildings that have been given a status of

heritage today are those representing a unique style which challenges the

present. Therefore in order to make our present a heritage in future, it is our

responsibility to be true to contemporary style. As we all know that if old

represents our memories, then our present also represents our future memories.

In this dissertation focus would be on city of Delhi, which is often referred as

living heritage. It has abundance of heritage buildings spread all over the city.

Being one of the richest cities in the world in terms of historical significance, it is

clear that Delhi cant afford to lose its buildings which represents the citys past.

Recently Ancient monuments and Archaeological Site and Remains act 2010

has been implemented for proper conservation of citys precious world and

national heritage precincts. This law states that each precinct will have a buffer

zone around it, which does not permit any building to come up in proximity to

them. By doing so, we are isolating them from the remaining urban fabric. Many

countries do not encourage a buffer zone around heritage precincts and have

succeeded in giving equal importance to heritage and contemporary

architecture. With abundance of heritage, Delhi has an opportunity to let past

and present survive right next to each other. And in order to make Delhi a world

class city it is important to look at how the area around the heritage precincts

can work efficiently, promoting both heritage and contemporary architecture. If

we do not look into this issue right now then we would only have abundance of

buildings representing our past, and no traces would be seen of contemporary

architecture, which will prevent the city from growing further.

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Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

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1.1 BACKGROUND

Every country has an abundance of heritage precincts which helps them to stay

rooted to what they were and are now today. They are unique to us culturally,

aesthetically and historically. And since architecture is irreplaceable and

irreversible, every country is trying their best to conserve them for benefit of our

present and future generations. A series of heritage laws have been introduced

to conserve them in best possible way.

In an attempt to conserve our past today one shouldnt forget to pave way for

future developments. As it is said, if old represents our memories, then our present

also represents our future memories. Thus, one needs to make sure that

conservation of heritage does not hinder contemporary developments.

The most common law for protection of heritage precincts is enforcement of a

buffer zone around it, which plays a major role in establishing a relationship

between the heritage precincts and contemporary developments.

This research aims to look at this concept of buffer zones more closely to

understand its implementation better. And hopes to investigate the ways via

which a balance between heritage and contemporary architecture can be

attained in a developing city like Delhi which is soon going to be tagged as a

world heritage city.

1.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This investigation attempts to question the current practice of conservation of

heritage precincts to explore strategies which will not only help in protection of

monuments but will also make sure that they do not remain isolated from their

urban context An exploration of idea of heritage and contemporary

architecture standing next to each other.

Questions aiding this research are :

Why do we need a buffer zone around a heritage monument?

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Do these buffer zones encourage isolation of valued heritage from city

fabric?

In Delhi, do we have the confidence in building a visually bold structure

next to our built heritage?

1.3 HYPOTHESIS

An assertive approach when designing in proximity of heritage buildings can

add more character to the place, respecting both heritage and contemporary

architecture. This needs to be considered, as we always tend to construct a

subtle structure when given an opportunity to construct in proximity of these

building, due to the heritage building laws, which are based on the principle of

giving more importance to future of our past, than future of present.

1.4 METHODOLOGY

The procedure followed is :

1. Understanding heritage and its significance in contemporary world.

2. Significance of a buffer zone around a heritage building.

3. Heritage polices of Delhi (emphasising on policies regarding buffer zones)

4. Case studies :

I. Shershah gate & Khairul manazil mosque, Pragati Maidan

II. LIC Building, Connaught place

5. Concluding the nature of buffer zones in Delhi and how a balance can be

established between heritage and contemporary architecture.

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Chapter 2

SIGNIFICANCE

OF HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION

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2. 1 HERITAGE

Heritage is anything that people want to inherit, due to its uniqueness. It can be

a building, an object, or traditions and cultures. In architecture heritage

resources are built and natural features possessing, a unique set of social,

spiritual, historical, architectural, artistic, aesthetical, natural, scenic, scientific

and cultural significance. In UNSECOs 1972 charter, Heritage has been defined

as,

Groups of buildings, separate or connected, which because of their

architecture, their homogeneity or their place in the landscape, are of

outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or

science.

(Basic Texts of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, p.10)

Many buildings and precincts have been identified all over the world having

atleast one or combination of values mentioned above. According to richness of

these values, they have been classified into different classes, specifying varying

importance of them. There are heritage monuments, archaeological parks and

heritage cities having world, national, state and local importance.

The built heritage of the city is an irreplaceable and a non-renewable resource.

Apart from being a part of every days life they have educational and

recreational potentials attached to them. They help in enhancing citys

environment, giving it identity and character. Interestingly, if we look at the

places that visitors choose to see when travelling to any city in the world, one

would notice that it includes the old parts and inner parts of the city in order to

feel the true culture of the city. One relates heritage to true culture of city. Also

these heritage precincts, act as assets for the city by promoting tourism.

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2.2 CONSERVATION

Conservation involves identifying heritage resources, interpreting their

signification and protecting and using them in best possible way to serve both

individual and community needs. It is a tool through which one can preserve a

heritage building to its original form. And at the same time, enable them to

adapt to evolving culture of changing societies.

Main Objectives of conservation are:

Retaining visual identity

Today in this globalising world, visual spaces around us are rapidly becoming

homogenised. Thus, in order to retain the unique visual identity of a place we

need to maintain the original visual appearance of architectural precincts.

Protection from unwanted encroachments

Our historical precincts need to be protected from their misuse in order to

protect its architectural elements and to maintain the ambience of the

precinct.

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Chapter 3

HERITAGE POLICIES

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As mentioned above, main aim of conservation is to retain outstanding universal

value of heritage buildings. But due to differences in the cultural, social and

economic aspects of the cities, every city has a different set of laws and

regulations which it follows. In a city as well, every heritage building has

its own significance and is present in a unique urban context. Thus the attention

that each one of them demands also varies. Therefore the heritage

policies should be such that it can take care of varying demands of heritage

buildings.

The protection of cultural heritage is an integrated approach in which

nature meets culture, the past meets the present and the monumental

and movable heritage meets the intangible, the protection of cultural

heritage, as an expression of living culture, contributes to the

development of societies.

(http://www.unesco.org/en/cultural-diversity/heritage)

Therefore when we talk about protection of a heritage building, only the building

cant be of prime importance. The area around it which leads us towards it is

also equally important and needs to be protected. Thus we need a protection

zone around it. Nature of this protection zone varies for different cities according

to the policies that they follow. A good policy for protection zone is the one

which provides flexibility in terms of its nature, usage and construction. These

protection zones are termed Buffer zones. They are often referred as transition

zones as well.

Over many years numerous international conservation guidelines by UNSECO

have been drawn out in order to help cities to conserve universal values of their

world historic sites and have proposed the need of having a buffer zone around

the heritage to protect it from all negative influences, but it is not mandatory.

Many World Heritage properties face problems that are directly or indirectly

linked to the situation of their buffer zone. On one hand, new constructions within

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a buffer zone may have an impact on the World Heritage precinct and could

threaten its Outstanding Universal Value and on the other hand, non-legalisation

and poor management a buffer zone can impact the conservation and

protection of heritage precinct. Therefore it is important to look at what these

buffer zones are all about.

3.1 CONCEPT OF BUFFER ZONE

In everyday life the word buffer zone is referred as a zone which separates two

incompatible objects, and provides protection to them from one another. In

heritage field, buffer zones have a deeper meaning, even though the basic

concept remains the same, of separating the heritage building from the city

fabric and hence protecting it from negative influences of city.

The main document in field of conservation of heritage which deals with

implementation and issues of buffer zones is Operational Guidelines for the

implementation of World heritage Convention from UNSECO. Concept of buffer

zones was first introduced in 1977, and was initially implemented around a

natural heritage site in order to protect it from human use. Soon after, in year

2000, buffer zones of minimum 200-400 metres started getting established around

many cultural heritage sites.

In the latest 2005 Operation guideline, buffer zone has been defined as follows:

For the purposes of effective protection of the nominated property, a

buffer zone is an area surrounding the nominated property which has

complementary legal and/or customary restrictions placed on its use and

development to give an added layer of protection to the property. This

should include the immediate setting of the nominated property,

important views and other areas or attributes that are functionally

important as a support to the property and its protection. The area

constituting the buffer zone should be determined in each case through

appropriate mechanisms. Details on the size, characteristics and

authorized uses of a buffer zone, as well as a map indicating the precise

12

boundaries of the property and its buffer zone should be provided in the

nomination.

(World Heritage papers 25 - World Heritage and

Buffer Zones - International Expert Meeting on

World Heritage and Buffer Zones Davos, 2008, p. 26)

From the above definition it is clear that a buffer zone implementation has

certain benefits associated with it. Some of them can be listed as follows :

They act as an added layer of protection, supporting outstanding universal

values of heritage building.

These zones mostly landscaped, help in adding value and beauty to heritage

by integrating it with nature. This also helps in strengthening the existence and

distinctive character of heritage building.

They provide protection from negative influences of city like encroachment

by people, pollution etc.

Since regulations and laws are set up for any construction in these zones, it

helps in achieving visual integrity.

It provides an opportunity to link heritage with the urban context in all

aspects (culturally, visually, economically etc.)

Apart from these benefits that one can get, there are a set of disadvantages

linked to the buffer zone; some of them are listed below:

Buffer zones create a physical divide between the heritage and the urban

context in which it has grown since hundreds of years. This division helps in

making a clear distinction between the two objects and hence its separation

often results in conversion of these heritage buildings into museums. Therefore

promoting differences in past and present, rather than making past a part of

present.

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This isolation can change the perspective of people about their heritage.

They might tend to think that they are only a symbol of our past and have no

function of its own.

Buffer zones focus more on the maintenance of the heritage building than its

context, which deprive the context from evolving its own unique style, as

many restrictions are enforced to maintain and enhance value of heritage.

These zones give rise to setting (setting is a zone of secondary importance

around a heritage which is much larger than buffer zones and help in

supporting buffer zones, the area of prime importance) therefore it is clear

that a large part of area around the heritage is not flexible to change.

Buffer zones can be effective if their size, characteristics, use is properly analysed

for every heritage site before its implementation. And for doing so we need to be

clear of, what kind of relationship city wants to establish between the heritage

and its surrounding urban fabric. Broadly these zones can help in establishing

three kinds of relationships

Figure 1: Relationship between built heritage and surrounding

urban fabric via different kinds of buffers ; Source : Author

Clear Separation :

Buffer zone is introduced to keep the two at a distance from each other, having

a common green space in between them which they share. This type of

separation intends to acknowledge both heritage and context as two separate

14

identities, and gives far more importance in maintaining the identity of heritage

than development of context.

Gradual Change :

Buffer zone acts as a flexible area which takes care of needs of both, the

heritage and context. It results in formation of types of buildings which are an

amalgamation of heritage building style and contemporary style. It acts as a

perfect transition zone between the past and present, but results in development

of buildings having similar appearance.

No barrier or Separation :

Buffer zone in this case does segregate the heritage and context by a minimal

distance. Structures are encouraged to exist in close proximity to each other,

and thus making both share a common context. This approach leaves a little

buffer zone for conservation and helps in acting as an appropriate protective

barrier.

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3.2 HERITAGE LAWS OF DELHI

The agencies concerned with the protection of Delhis Built Heritage are

Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) under Ministry of Urban Development,

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State Archaeological Department, Govt. of

NCT of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), MCD (EDMC, SDMC, NDMC),

Cantonment Board, Delhi, INTACH, Aga Khan Trust.

ASI protects monuments having national significance following the Ancient

Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and

Validation) Act, 2010, and the GNCTD protects monuments of State level

significance following Delhi Ancient and Historical Monuments and

Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 2005. The MCD and NDMC protect

monuments of local level significance following the Building Byelaws defined

under the Delhi Development Act, 1957.

3.2.1 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 2010

In Delhi, there are 175 heritage monuments of world and /or national importance

which are protected under this law. The law states implementation of a buffer

zone having two layers of protecting zones, viz. prohibited zone and regulated

zone.

In the gazette of India, the law has been stated as follows :

20 A

Every area beginning at the limit of the protected area or the protected

monument, as the case may be, and extending to a distance of one

hundred metres in all directions shall be the prohibited area in respect of

such protected area or protected monument. Provided that the central

Government may, on the Recommendation of the authority, by

notification in the Official Gazette, specify an area more than one

hundred metres to be prohibited area having regard to the classification

of any protected monument or protected area, as the case may be,

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under section 4A.No person other than an archaeological officer, shall

carry out and construction in any prohibited zone.

20 B

Every area beginning at the limit of prohibited area in respect of every the

protected ancient monument and archaeological site and remains,

declared as of national importance under section 3 and 4and extending

to a distance of two hundred metres in all directions shall be the

regulated area in respect of every ancient monument and

archaeological site and remains. Provided that the central Government

may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify an area more than

two hundred metres to be the regulated area having regard to the

classification of any protected monument or protected area, as the case

may be, under section 4A.

20 C

(1) Any person, who owns and building or structure, which existed in a

prohibited area before the 16th day of June 1992, or, which had been

subsequently constructed with the approval of the Director-General and

desires to carry out any repair and renovation of such building or structure

may make an application to the competent authority for carrying out

such repair or renovation, as the case maybe.

(2) Any person who owns or possess any building or structure or land in

any regulated area, and desires to carry out any construction or re-

construction or repair or renovation of such building or structure on such

land, as the case maybe, may make an application to the competent

authority for carrying out construction or re- construction or repair or

renovation, as the case maybe.

(The Gazette of India, Extra Ordinary, part II, Section I, 2010, p.2)

17

Heritage Bye laws for each of the protected monument and areas are drawn

individually by a heritage body notified by central government. These laws

include matter related to heritage control of the area, such as

Height

Facades Material and Architectural Elements

Drainage systems

Roads and service infrastructure (including electric poles, water and

sewer pipelines etc.)

Boundary around the protected monument

The Ancient monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains act 2010,

diagrammatically can be represented as,

Figure 2 : Graphical Representation of AMASRA 2010; Source : Google Earth image

The prohibited zone, where no new construction is allowed, acts as a barrier

between the heritage building and context via a green space in case of

presence of open land around the heritage building. And regulated zone

ensures construction of similar kinds of buildings (similar height, elevation etc.)

leading to formation of a homogenous space.

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3.2.2 DELHI ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL

SITES AND REMAINS ACT 2004

This Act provides preservation of Ancient and Historical Monuments and

Archaeological Sites and Remains other than those declared to be of national

importance in Delhi. The law states implementation of a buffer zone having two

layers of protecting zones, viz. prohibited zone and regulated zone.

In the gazette of India, the law has been stated as follows :

17

An area up to fifty meters from the protected limits of monument shall be

declared as prohibited area for any construction and mining activities

near or adjoining protected monuments and further beyond it up to one

hundred meters as regulated area in which construction and mining

activities can be undertaken only after getting permission of the

Government and further subject to any rules made under this Act

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If the Government is of opinion that for the purpose of preserving the

reasonable amenities of any protected monument, it is necessary so to

do, the Government may, subject to the provisions of this section, by

notification in the official Gazette, in respect of any area comprising or

adjacent to the site of such monument, specified in such notification

(hereinafter referred to as the controlled area) -

a) Prohibit or restrict the construction, erection or execution of building,

structure and other work within the controlled area, or the alteration or

extension of any such building, structure, or work in such manner as to

materially affect their external appearance;

b) Prescribe the position, height, site, materials, colour and screening and

otherwise regulate the external appearance of buildings, structures

and other work within the controlled area;

c) require any local authority

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i. To construct any approach road to any protected monument;

or

ii. To demolish any public convenience vesting in it, that is to say,

a latrine, urinal, dustbin, rubbish dump and the like, located

close to or in the vicinity of any protected monument;

d) Otherwise restrict the use of the land within the controlled area;

e) Otherwise restrict the use of the land within the controlled area to such

extent as is necessary for the purpose of preserving the reasonable

amenities of the protected monument; and

f) Provide for such matters as appear to the Government to be

incidental to or consequential on the foregoing provisions of this

section, or to be necessary for giving effect to those provisions.

(Department of Law, Justice and Legislative

Affairs Notification, Delhi Act 9 of 2005, 2005, p. 6)

The Delhi Ancient and Historical monuments and Archaeological Sites and

Remains act 2004, diagrammatically can be represented as,

Figure 3 : Graphical Representation of DAMASRA 2004;

Source : Google Earth image

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Chapter 4

CASE STUDIES

21

4.1 DELHIS HERITAGE

Delhi has evolved over a long period of time and today is one of the few cities

having a rich diversity of culture and traditions. Delhi has been a capital of 16

cities6 and as a result has large number of significant heritage resources, dating

from the 11th century onwards

scattered in area between

Mehrauli and Kamla Nagar. Today

these historic remains not only form,

an integral component of the

contemporary city, but also are of

immense historical, archaeological,

architectural, functional, economic,

recreational and educational value

to the citizens.

Statistics of built and natural heritage of Delhi are as follows :

Heritage monuments - 1208

World heritage monuments - 3

Heritage monuments having national importance - 168

Heritage monuments having state and local importance - 1038

Heritage Zones - 15

Walled City of Delhi, Shahjahanabad

Central Vista

Nizamuddin and Humayuns Tomb Complex

Qutab Complex World Heritage Site and Mehrauli area

Vijay Mandal Begumpur Sarai Shahji Lal Gumbad

Chirag Delhi

Delhi University and Northern Ridge

Figure 4 : Delhi Map highlighting core Delhi having

all built heritage, and area which has been later

zoomed in; Source : Author

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Lutyens Delhi including: Connaught Place, Gole Market Area

Barracks, Lutyens

Bungalow Zone and Safdarjangs Tomb, Lodhi Garden and Delhi Golf

Club

Firozabad Firoz Shah Kotla

Purana Quila, Delhi Zoo and Sundar Nursery

Hauz Khas Deer Park

Tughlaquabad Adilabad Nai ka Kot

Delhi Cantonment Area

Archaeological parks 3

Mehrauli

Tughlaquabad

Sultan Garhi

On the next page is Delhi map showing Nominated World Heritage Zones and;

World and National Heritage monuments under protection of ASI (Refer to

appendix A for names and locations)

23

Figure 5 : Map showing Nominated World Heritage Zones, World and National Heritage

Monuments in area spread from Kamla Nagar to Mehrauli; Source : Author

24

In order to conserve such large heritage typologies spread all over Delhi as

visible in above plan, many agencies are very energetically working for their

conservation. Various acts like Ancient Monuments and archaeological Sites and

remains Act 2010, Delhi Ancient and Heritage Monuments and archaeological

Sites and remains Act 2004, Delhi Development Act, Development in Special

zones etc. have been implemented for conservation of these valuable heritage

precincts. Also Delhi has been nominated for world heritage city for which four

area have been nominated viz. Mehrauli, Nizamuddin, Shahjahanabad and

Lutyens Delhi.

In Delhi, for protection of all heritage precincts holding world and national

importance, implementation of buffer zones has been made compulsory. The

Following map shows the 170 national heritage precincts and 4 nominated zones

along with their buffer zones.

Area Calculation:

Delhi . 148300 Hectare

Nominated Zones :

Protected Area . 3335 Hectare

Mehrauli - 330.55 Hectare

Nizamuddin - 363.72 Hectare

Shahjahanabad - 673.27 Hectare

Lutyens Delhi - 1967.45 Hectare

Buffer zone 2006 .23 Hectare

National Heritage Precincts :

Protected Area . 159.33 Hectare

Prohibited Zone .... 830.78 Hectare

Regulated Zone ... 2454.34 Hectare

25

Figure 6 : Map showing Nominated World Heritage Zones, World and National Heritage

Monuments along with prohibited, regulated and buffer areas, in area spread

from Kamla Nagar to Mehrauli; Source : Author

26

Heritage bye laws for prohibited zones of all 170 national protected monuments

under ASI, would be drawn individually for each monument by INTACH. Building

Bye-laws for the nominated zones, buffer zone, and regulated zone would follow

laws proposed in Handbook of Conservation of heritage Buildings, CPWD, which

are as follows :

Restrictions on development / re-development / repairs etc.

No development or redevelopment or engineering operation or additions

/ alterations, repairs, renovations including painting of the building,

replacement of special features or plastering or demolition of any part

thereof of the said listed buildings or listed precincts or listed natural

feature areas shall be allowed except with the prior permission of

Commissioner, Municipal Corporation /Vice Chairman, Development

Authority.

Alteration / modification / relaxation in development norms

On the advice of the said Heritage Conservation Committee to be

appointed by the Government and for reasons to be recorded in writing,

the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation / Vice Chairman, Development

Authority shall follow the procedure as per Development Authority Act, to

alter, modify or relax the Development Control Norms prescribed in the

Master Plan, if required, for the conservation or preservation or retention of

historic or aesthetic or cultural or architectural or environmental quality of

any heritage site.

Incentive uses for heritage buildings

In cases of buildings located in non-commercial use zones included in the

Heritage Conservation List, if the owner / owners agree to maintain the

listed heritage building as it is in the existing state and to preserve its

heritage state with due repairs and the owner / owners / lessees give a

written undertaking to that effect, the owner / owners / lessees may be

allowed with the approval of the Heritage Conservation Committee within

permissible use zone to convert part or whole thereof of the non-

commercial area within such a heritage building to commercial/office

27

use/hotel. Provided that if the heritage building is not maintained suitably

or if the heritage value of the building is spoiled in any manner, the

commercial / office / hotel use shall be disallowed.

Maintaining skyline and architectural harmony

After the guidelines are framed, buildings within heritage precincts or in

the vicinity of heritage sites shall maintain the skyline in the precinct and

follow the architectural style (without any high-rise or multi-storeyed

development) as may be existing in the surrounding area, so as not to

diminish or destroy the value and beauty of or the view from the said

heritage sites. The development within the precinct or in the vicinity of

heritage sites shall be in accordance with the guidelines framed by the

Commissioner, Municipal Corporation / Vice- Chairman, Development

Authority on the advice of the Heritage Conservation Committee or

separate regulations / guidelines, if any, prescribed for respective zones

by Municipal Corporation / Development Authority.

Approval to preserve the beauty of the area

The Heritage Conservation Committee shall have the power to direct,

especially in areas designated by them, that the exterior design and

height of buildings should have their approval to preserve the beauty of

the area.

Signs and outdoor display structures / including street furniture on

heritage sites

Commissioner, Municipal Corporation/ Vice- Chairman, Development

Authority on the advice of the Heritage Conservation Committee shall

frame regulations or guidelines to regulate signs, outdoor display structures

and street furniture on heritage sites.

(Chapter 7 : Model Building Bye-laws,, p. 17-20)

28

4.2 SHERSHAH GATE & KHAIRUL MANAZIL MOSQUE, PRAGATI MAIDAN

4.2.1 Relevance of choosing

Shershah gate and Khairul manazil mosque are first two heritage monuments of

national importance for which INTACH has released heritage bye laws. By

studying these laws, one would attempt to look at its influence on the nature of

buffer zones and development around these monuments.

4.2.2 Present status

The monuments Sher Shah Gate and Khairul

Manazil mosque are located in Pragati Maidan

and have Purana Qila and Delhi zoo in close

proximity to them. It attracts some visitors who

come to visit Purana Qila and the mosque which

is still used to offer namaaz to Allah attracts few

more visitors. But at the same time due to traffic

intersection on one side of the monument and

heavy traffic on the road in front leads to many

visitors in skipping these monuments. One of the

heritage walks conducted by INTACH covers

these monumnets as well.

Sher Shah Gate and Khairul Manzil mosque along with Purana Qila forms a

precinct of historical monuments of the period of Sher Shah Suri. Both these

monuments have been recognised as A-Grade Monuments (that is, are of

national importance) by ASI and are protected under AMARS Act 2010.

Figure 7 : Location Map of

Sher Shah Gate and Khairul

Manzil Mosque;

Source : wonobo.com

29

4.2.3 Historical Background

Sher Shah Gate :

Gateway is believed to mark southern edge of Sher Shahs city of Shergarh

which was constructed around 1545 AD. Remains of fortified wall of Shergarh are

still seen attached to the gate. Also on either sides of the road leading south

from the gate, there are remains of arcades that are assumed to have been

rows of shops. Gateway along with the old fort formed an important cultural

landscape of Sher Shah Suri era. The gate is often referred as Lal Darwaza due to

the red sandstone which has been used as decorative accent to the grey

quartzite from which the structure has been constructed. One can also see

ornamental stone inlay and tile work done on the gate for decoration. One

could see the huge gateway reminding of existence of Shergarh city while

passing across Mathura road, until Aug 2012, when the gateway was found to

be unstable. Today, unfortunately, the Sher Shah Gate is found to be partially

filled with bricks, making it unpleasant to look at.

Khair-ul-Manazil mosque:

It is the Mughal-period madrasa and a mosque, built by Akbars wet nurse,

Maham Anga in 1561-1562 AD. The mosque is still used to offer namaaz. ASI tried

to ban it in 1992 stating that it is causing damage to the monument but didnt

succeed in doing so. The namazis also act as part-time attendants and one can

Figure 9 : Khair ul Manazil Mosque; Source : Author

Figure 8 : Sher Shah Gate;

Source : commons.wikimedia.org

30

see them in good numbers in mornings and evenings. Also there is a hauz inside

the monument which is not functional anymore.

4.2.4 Conservation Objectives

Main objectives are as follows:

Maintaining architectural, historical and archaeological value of monument.

Safeguarding them from negative influences of development pressures,

urbanization, population pressures.

Visibility from the monument or area and visibility from regulated area.

Land use of surrounding area need to be such that it enhances the

experience of the monument.

Due to presence of a number of isolated monuments along Sher Shah Suri

Marg, there is a possibility to find archaeological remains in future; therefore

any future construction should not prevent digging of regulated area.

Integrating it to surrounding monuments.

Maintaining the skyline visible from the monument and regulated area.

Maintain homogeneity in buildings in regulated zone.

Spreading awareness and increasing participation of citizens in conservation

of the monuments.

4.2.5 Proposed Heritage Bye Laws

Details of heritage bye laws as proposed by INTACH

are as follows:

The maximum permissible heights for

buildings in the Regulated Zone are:

RZ-1 - 7.5 meters

RZ-2 - 30.0 meters

RZ-3 - 3.5 meters

RZ-4 - as per prevailing Building Byelaws

Figure 10 : Distribution of

regulated zone into 4 for

control of height

31

The regulation of height as above should restrict the FAR as per the

Building Bye-laws and Master Plan for Delhi 2021.

The open spaces shall be appropriately landscaped to integrate the

visual image and experience of the influence zone of the monument.

Uniform signage as approved by ASI to be provided in the influence

zone of the monument.

No construction of any type or nature shall be allowed in prohibited

area of 100 metres from the protected monument in contravention to

the AMASR Act and Rules and any temporary or permanent structure

already constructed shall be removed forthwith.

No encroachment on public land of whatsoever nature shall be

allowed.

No unauthorized or illegal activity of whatsoever nature shall be

allowed in the prohibited or regulated area.

No dustbin (Dhalao), hoarding or vending - even authorized shall be

allowed within 100 meters of the protected area especially on

Shershah Suri Marg and Mathura Road.

The roofs are to be designed in such a manner that water tanks, pipes,

cables and other structures are not unaesthetically exposed.

The colour and building material on the exterior of the building within

Regulated Area should be in harmony with existing developments.

The premises shall be used for prescribed purposes only and no

negative trade or usages like godown, warehouse etc., shall be

allowed which may affect adversely the ambience around the site.

The development within the High Court Complex is currently very

chaotic and disturbs the ambience of the monument. The

development of this complex should be rationalized to remove

temporary structure, vehicle parking etc. and appropriately

landscaped to positively contribute to the ambience of the

monument. The existing Mosque within the High Court campus should

be conserved and the area around it appropriately landscaped after

removing the parking of vehicles in its vicinity.

32

All new construction in the Regulated Zone and any proposed

reconstruction should be as per the provisions of MCD Act and MPD

2021 and the Heritage Bye-laws.

(2012, p. 20-22)

4.2.6 Conservation Approach

Under AMARS Act 2010, Sher Shah Gate

and Khairul Manzil mosque have a

designated prohibited zone of 100m and a

regulated zone of 200 m around it.

Heritage bye laws for these zones have

been proposed after a thorough survey of

protected monuments, existing buildings

(and their functions) and activities

present in surrounding regulated areas.

Focus has been given to sites visible from the protected monument which

interferes with the ambience of the monument.

Figure 11 : Proposed prohibited and

regulated areas around Sher Shah

Gate and Khairul Manzil Masjid

Figure 14 : Temporary Shed of

NDMS; Source : INTACH

Figure 13 : View of the building

from monument;

Source : INTACH

Figure 12 : View of Cars parked

from the monument;

Source : www.wikipedia.com

33

Due to presence of protected open areas of Purana Qila and zoo on eastern

and south eastern sides of the monuments, and Purana Qila also representing

the Sher Shah Suris era an attempt has been made to integrate them via proper

landscape of open spaces.

Figure 15 : Proposed Design for Site by INTACH;

Source : INTACH

In order to maintain uniform skyline in the area and to ensure visibility of desired

elements from the protected area of monuments, heights have been decided

for any future construction that might be allowed to take place in regulated

area.

4.2.7 Inferences

Sher shah suri gate and Khairul manzil mosque being smaller monuments go

unnoticed as they lie on a high traffic road and are in close proximity to old fort,

a larger monument providing better recreational opportunities. For encouraging

usage of sher shah gate and khairul manzil mosque, there is an instant need to

first increase awareness about these smaller monuments among public. The

heritage walks initiated by INTACH is one step which has led to increased

34

awareness of these monuments among citizens and has improved number of

visitors to the place. But this does not ensure regular visit of citizens and for that

we need to introduce a public function within the boundary of these monuments

which shall increase its usability and ensure protection of them.

Secondly the laws proposed are way too rigid. They will encourage homogenous

buildings to come up in the regulated areas. We all know that an area evolves

over time, and people connect to it by using and changing it according to

changing society and requirements, but implementation of these laws do not

leave any room for change. In a way the rigidity of laws are proposing freezing

of the surroundings along with the monuments. These laws need to be relaxed a

bit to provide flexibility for changes and developments that will not only help in

protection of the monuments but will also play a role in improving the quality of

life.

The laws also talk about the visual elements that one gets to see from the

monument and has accordingly restricted the heights so that they do not

deteriorate the ambience of the monument, but they do not talk about the view

that one gets of these monuments while standing on the road. One sees them

through high metal fences, used to demarcate the physical boundary of

protected zone of monument. This view through the metal fences not only

highlights the fact that the building is old, but also strengthens the gap between

our past and present by propagating the idea of them being the live museums

or objects in space.

The heritage laws are encouraging buffer zones of the type which highlights two

separate entities viz. the monument and its urban context having a common

green in between. An attempt to integrate the monument with its context via

landscaping the common green area in between is not sufficient in a city like

Delhi, where people dont even know about the abundance of heritage that

the city has. People will hardly bother about these small landscaped areas due

to availability of much larger and well landscaped greens in the city until and

35

unless these smaller greens or/ and monuments offers the people which a

function that will improve their quality of life.

One of the solution for Sher Shah gate and Khairul Manzil mosque for better

integration with the surroundings, which will not only ensure its protection but will

also increase its usability is as given below :

Figure 16 : Proposal for buffer area of Sher Shah gate and khairul manzil mosque

for their better integration with the urban context; Source : Author

36

4.3 LIC BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE

4.3.1 Relevance of choosing

LIC building is perhaps the most noticeable building marking a stark contrast to

its heritage context of Connaught place. Through this study one would attempt

to analyse as to how an assertive approach of designing in a heritage precinct

can add character to it.

4.3.2 Connaught Place

4.3.2.1 Construction

The Master Plan for lutyens zone was prepared in 1912-13 by British architects

Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker in which Connaught place was proposed as

partially commercial and partially residential area.

After the completion of lutyens zone in 1944, construction of high rise building

in it were banned.

In 1970s permission was given to construct high rise in the heritage zone of

lutyens Delhi. This relaxation allowed many high rise buildings to come up in

and around Connaught place, which

changed the skyline of Connaught place

completely.

In 1988, lutyens zone was declared a heritage

zone, prohibiting building activities within it. It

meant that incase any building or a future

development is permitted within this area, it

would have to match with original parameters

of design, materials, landscaping and building

techniques. And now this zone has been

nominated for world heritage site.

Figure 17 : Sketch plan of

present Connaught place;

Source : www.rudi.net

37

4.3.2.2 Architectural Vocabulary :

Connaught Place is designed in the shape of a horse shoe. Have 3 circles

outer, middle and inner.

Consist of two storeyed building, with a double height colonnaded passage

at the ground level.

Architecture followed in the whole circle is monotonous, thus one finds it

difficult to orient themselves.

4.3.3 LIC

4.3.3.1 Location

LIC building is located in outer circle of

Connaught place to right of the central axis

connecting shahajanbad to parliament house,

built in year 1986 and designed by architect

Charles Correa.

Figure 18 : Aerial view of Connaught place;

Source : groupsolus.wordpress.com

Figure 19 : Architecture features of

Connaught Place; Source : worldtour-bharat.blogspot.com

Figure 20 : Location plan of LIC;

Source: Charles Correa architect in

India by Hasan-uddin-Khan, Public

building- LIC Centre, Delhi.

38

4.3.3.2 Relevance of Building

LIC building is often referred as New Delhis new monument. Due to its location,

it acts as a transition between the low rise Connaught Place and high rise towers.

Due to its contrasting architectural vocabulary from rest of the Connaughts

place, it has always been in a debate, some appreciates while others criticises.

In few newspaper articles, writers mention different views of people about the

LIC. Some of them are as follows:

Its a really cool building and is pretty modern. It makes for a good view

in Connaught Place.

(New Delhis new monument, Hindustan Times, 2010)

The LIC building is a great piece of architecture. Amid the old buildings

of Connaught Place (CP), it juts out like a paean to the need of modern

times and gives a hint of the new-century skyline that may follow in the

years ahead. Have you noticed that it is just across the road from the very

colonial-looking Regal cinema building? The contrast could not be starker

and yet it is so aesthetically pleasing.

(New Delhis new monument, Hindustan Times, 2010)

Figure 21 : LIC Building contrasting architecture of

Connaught place; Source : travel.cnn.com

39

"The building has got great location as well as aesthetics ,"

(LIC tower to host unique dance, Times of India, 2010)

Its ugly. It doesnt gel with the surroundings. The high-rise has no

relevance to CPs architecture where buildings were never supposed to

be multi-storied.

(New Delhis new monument, Hindustan Times, 2010)

4.3.3.3 Design Principles and Architectural Vocabulary

Building has been aliened to the axis linking shahjahanbad and parliament

house.

Figure 23 : View of LIC; Source: Charles Correa

architect in India by Hasan-uddin-Khan,

Public building - LIC Centre, Delhi.

Figure 22 : Roof top plan of LIC; Source: Charles

Correa architect in India by Hasan-uddin-Khan,

Public building- LIC Centre, Delhi.

Figure 24 : Font view of LIC from central park of Connaught Place;

Source : Bala photo blog, unlimitedperspective.wordpress.com

40

It comprises of two building blocks which are connected through a 98 metre

long steel frame, designed to act as a gateway for pedestrians.

It has a glass Faade facing the Connaught place to reflect its buildings and

trees. While rest of the building is cladded with red sand stone, to link it with

Delhis heritage which has immense use of red sandstone.

Building due to its height, massive space frame, large flight of steps in front,

contrasting red colour and curtain glass wall gives monumental scale to the

building.

4.3.4 Inferences

Connaught Place LIC

Year of Completion 1933 1986

Height G +1 G + 12

Colour White Red

Building Materials Brick, Lime, Paint, Glass Red sandstone, Glass

and steel

Architectural

Vocabulary

Colonnades, Circular

columns, Circular arches,

Glass windows

Space frame, one large

triangular column, stone

cladding

Table 1 : Comparison between Connaught place and LIC; Source : Author

From above table it is clear that LIC building stands out in Connaught place due

to its contrasting nature with its heritage context. And at the same time it is

interesting to note that LIC building design has been inspired from various

traditional elements of Delhi like the gateway, axis connecting Shahjahanabad

to Parliament house and traditional materials like sandstone etc. The design also

displays sensitivity to its context via an attempt to reflect the buildings and

landscape of Connaught place through its glass facade and emphasising on

the fact that past will always be an integral part of present.

41

One cannot deny the fact that LIC acts as the landmark for Connaught Place

and gives its users a sense of direction due to its easy visibility from every point in

the circle and its different built edges viz. glass faade on one side and a

triangular column on other.

Even though its construction led to major alteration in the skyline of Connaught

place and broke the monotonous architectural vocabulary of 2 storeys white

built it has succeeded in adding more character to the place. LIC building is

perhaps an only example of assertive construction in close proximity to heritage

in Delhi, giving respect to the heritage of its context and at the same time

marking its presence through its contrasting modern architectural vocabulary.

Looking at larger context of LIC building one can notice that LIC building falls

in regulated zone of a national heritage

monument - Jantar mantar. But in reality it is

difficult to figure it out since there is no

connection between the two as one cannot

establish any visual connection between them

and architectural vocabulary of LIC has no

adverse effect on heritage value of jantar

mantar, instead its a pleasant site, to sight

buildings of different era while moving along the

Sansad Marg road.

Figure 25 : Skyline of Connaught place; Source : www.touristlink.com

Figure 26 : Plan showing LIC building

falling in Regulated zone of Jantar

Mantar; Source : Google Earth image

42

Chapter 5

CONCLUSIONS

43

Buffer zones are an important management tool to protect heritage monuments

and sites all over the world. In Delhi, we follow a system of buffer zones having

two levels, viz. prohibited zone and regulated zone.

In past years, many monuments have been harmed by invasion of people into

the monuments, which has resulted into more striker rules regarding the buffer

zones. The radii of both prohibited and regulated zones have been doubled to

ensure greater protection of the monuments from further human

encroachments. Further, according to the grade of the monuments and sites the

radii of buffer zones have been fixed. What the system fails to look at is the

varying sizes of the monuments falling under the same grade. Be it a bigger

monument or smaller one both have 100 m radii prohibited zone and 200 m radii

regulated zone for monuments having national importance. In Delhi out of 174

national heritage monuments under ASI, many monuments are of a size of

approximately 5 by 5 metres. And they actually do not require such large buffer

zones around them for their proper protection. What is required is striker

implementation of the laws rather than blindly increasing the size of buffer.

The buffer zones set limits to protect views, settings, land use and other aspects,

keeping in mind the monument. The heritage bye laws for these areas aims at

achieving homogeneity around them and promotes monuments to stand apart

as strangers in their own green buffer, bounded within a fixed boundary wall

separated from the city. It is strengthening the gap between our past and

present by highlighting the monument and context as two different entities.

Monuments are being looked upon as live museums.

It is clear that Delhi follows a very monument centric approach for conservation

of its built heritage and heritage laws are way too rigid. What one is failing to

realise is that historicity not only lies in these monuments alone but in the whole

city. In order to stay connected to the past and yet progress it is important to

work towards conservation and improvement of whole city.In order to achieve it

we need to rethink our heritage laws to make them more flexible so that they

take into consideration not only built heritage but the whole city to improve the

44

quality of life and live up to the true cultural trait of Delhi of having Diversity in

every field be it architectural buildings, religion or cultural values.

The monument centric approach also encourages people to believe that

heritage is of prime importance and not the contemporary development of the

city, thus many people finds it difficult to give respect to heritage and the people

who respects does not encourages people to play around with contemporary

styles in Delhi. As today we stand on the platform of getting the tag of living

heritage and at the same time are developing at a fast pace it is important to

think about what we want to be in future. We should make people aware of

heritage of the city and at the same time encourage people to learn from it and

develop a new contemporary style. Recently an attempt has been initiated to

recognise modern heritage of Delhi as well to strengthen contemporary style of

Delhi as well, which is a great step to think about the future of past and present

both. LIC being one of the buildings to get title of modern heritage may not be a

perfect example of a contemporary building adding more character to its

heritage context, but encouragement and recognition of such attempts would

only allow Delhi to find a way to be sensitive towards heritage and yet being true

to contemporary architecture.

It is important to look at how the area around the heritage precincts can work

efficiently, promoting both heritage and contemporary architecture. If we do

not look into this issue right now then we would only have abundance of

buildings representing our past, and no traces would be seen of contemporary

architecture, which will prevent the city from growing further. Nancy H welsh in

one of the writings stated,

One cannot hope, a city to move into the future if its buildings represent

only the past. And also if we neglect our built heritage, it is to our, and

future generations', detriment. Without the monuments to our past, our

presence has no meaning, uprooted and detached from the succession

of events which carry us into the future.

( Nancy H. Welsh , 2011)

45

An assertive approach when designing in proximity of heritage buildings gives us

an opportunity to add to the character to a place.

This needs to be considered, as we always tend to construct a subtle structure

when given an opportunity to construct in proximity of these building, due to the

heritage building laws, which are based on the principle of giving more

importance to future of our past. Two contrasting structures standing next to

each other will also add surprise element to the place. This concept of

integrating old and new should be introduced in the laws itself. Efforts need to be

made to make heritage precincts a part of our daily social life to allow, both

heritage and development to go hand in hand. One needs to make sure that

none of them overpowers others presence. One should encourage adaptive

reuse of these monuments or build new contemporary buildings in close

proximity to them so that it becomes easy for people to relate to them. People

stop treating them as useless ruins from the past and will learn to value the

monuments if they start playing a role in improving their quality of life.

There is an urgent need to rethink about the way we need to conserve our citys

history. Steinabad is an example of a group of modern buildings falling under the

regulated zones of lodhi tombs, which would

have not been built since none of them

have building parameters similar to that

proposed for regulated zone. The group of

modern buildings have taken inspiration

from its heritage context, and today they

stand boldly and gives an opportunity to

people to view modern buildings right before

entering the heritage precinct of lodhi

gardens.

Figure 27 : Plan showing Steinabad

falling under regulated zone of

Lodhi tombs; Source: Google

Earth image

46

APPENDICES

Appendix A

ASI alphabetical List of Monuments of National Importance Delhi

S.no Name of Monumnet / Sites Location 1. Bastion, where a wall of Jahan panah meets the wall of Rai

Pithora fort.

Adchini

2. Ramp and gateway of Rai Pithora's Fort Adchini

3. Marble Tomb reputed to be that of Newab BahadurJawid Khan Aliganj

4. Lal Bangla Babarpur (Kaka Nagar)

5. Khair-ul-Manzil Babarpur Bazipur

(Kakanagar)

6. Kos Minar or Mughal Mile stone Babarpur Bazipur

(Kakanagar)

7. The Moti Gate of Shershah, Delhi Babarpur Bazipur

(Kakanagar)

8. Begampuri Masjid Begampur

9. Phool Chadar aquduct near Najafgarh Jhil aquduct Chaukri Mubarakabad

10. Lal Gumbad Chirag Delhi

11. Tomb of Bahlol Lodi Chirag Delhi

12. Ajmeri Gate Bazar Ajmeri Gate

13. Alipur Cemetery Delhi-Alipur Camping

group.

14. Ashoka'a pillar Ferozabad(Ferozshah Kila

or Vikram Nagar Colony)

15. Bara Khamba Cemetry Imperial City

16. Chauburji Ridge near Hindura

Hospital

17. Eremo Cementry Kishanaganj Railway Stn.

18. Delhi fort or Lal Qila, Naubat Khana, Diwan-i-am, Mumtaz Mahal'

Rang Mahal, Baithak,Maseu Burj, diwan-i-Khas' Moti Masjid,

sawan Bhadon ,Shah Burj, Hammam with all surrounding

including the gardens, paths, terraces and water courses.

Red fort

19. Delhi Gate Daryaganj

20. Enclosure containing the grave of Lt. Edwards and others,

murdered in 1857.

North Ridge near flag

Staff tower, Civil Lines.

21. Enclosure wall with Tomb of Najaf Khan Safdarjang Fly over

22. Flag Staff Tower 400 yards North of

Cheuburji Mosque

23. Jantar Mantar Connaught place

24. Kashmeri Gate and portion of the City Wall on either side of the

Kashmeri Gate on the side and on the other upto and including

the water Bastions at the Northern corner of the wall and also

including the dith outside the City wall where this is exposed.

Kashmeri Gate

25. Kotla Ferozabad with the remaining walls, bastions and

gateways and gardens, the old Mosque, and well and all other

ruins buildings it contains.

Two furlangs east of jail

and three furlangs due

south of S.E. Corner of

Shahjahanabad, Delhi.

26. Lal Darwaza, the northern gate of the outer walls of the Delhi of

Shershah.

Three furlang due south of

Delhi Gate,

27. Lothian Road Cemetery Kashmeri Gate

28. The Mosque Qudsia Garden

29. Mutiny telegraph Memorial In front of Old Telegraph

Building, Kashmeri Gate,

30. Nicholson (Or Kashmeri Gate) Cemetery Kashmeri Gate

31. Nicholson statue and its platform and the surrounding gardens

paths and enclosure wall.

Outside Kashmeri Gate

32. Old Baoli immediately to the west of Hindu Rao's House. On the ridge, Delhi

47

33. The Old Entrance Gateway of the Garden. Qudsia Delhi

34. The Pirghaib to the north and near Hindu Rao's House On the ridge , Delhi

35. Portion of City wall near which Brij Jahn Nicholson was mortally

Wounded on 14th Sept. , 1857.

On the ridge , Delhi

36. The Punjabi gate in the Roshanara bagh Opposite Municipal Board

school, Subji Mandi

37. Purana Quila (Inderpat) or Delhi With all its walls Arcades,

gateways and Bastions, gardens, the Mosque of SherShah (Kila

Kohna Masjid). The Sher Mandala and entrances to

Subteranean passages.

Two miles south of the

Delhi Gate of

Shahjahanabad, Delhi

38. Rajpur (Mutiny cemetery) Old Rajpur Cantonment,

North Distt.

39. The remaining gateways of the old Magazira with their adjoining

buildings.

The post office , Delhi

40. Sher shah's gate with the adjoinining curon walls and Bastions

and the remains of the double line of structure to its front

Opposite purana Qila

immediately North-east of

the Khairul Manazil

Mosque

41. Site of Siege battery Known as the Sammy House Battery bearing

the following Inscriptions Battery , Sammy house, Major

Remington Tank, RA Commanding armament 89 pounds. To

command ground near Mori Bastion.

300 Yards East of mutiny

memorial

42. Site of siege Battery with inscription. East of the Hospital in

police Line

43. Site of siege Battery with inscription. Compound of Curzon

House

44. Site of siege Battery with inscription. In the garden near south

west entrance to Delhi

Club Ground

45. Sunehri Masjid near Delhi Fort Delhi Fort

46. Tomb of Capt. Mac. Barnatt & others who fall in an attack on

Kishanganj.

Kishan Ganj

47. Tomb of Ghiasuddin Khan, Tughlaqabad

48. Tomb of Roshanara & Baradari Sabzi Mandi

49. Tomb of Razia Begum in Mohalla Bulbuli Khana Shahjahanabad

50. Tomb of Safdarjang (Mirza Muqim Mansur Ali Khan) with all the

enclosure walls, gateways, gardens and the mosque on the

eastern side of the garden.

Lodhi Road, New Delhi

51. Tripolia Gateways Delhi-Karnal Road

52. Uggar Sain's Baoli Near Jantar Mantar

53. Tomb of Darya Khan Kidwai Nagar East

54. Baoli at Ghiaspur Nizammuddin

55. Tomb of Mirza Muzaffer, Chota Batasha No. 153, Ghiaspur Nizammuddin

56. Tomb of Amir Khusro, Ghiaspur Nizammuddin

57. Tomb of Mirza Muzaffer, Bara Batasha No. 151 Ghiaspur Nizammuddin

58. Tomb of Nizamuddin Aulia, Ghiaspur No. 197 Nizammuddin

59. Unknown tomb Ghiaspur 153, Nizammuddin

60. i. The tomb of Ferozshah ii. Domed Building to the west of No.1 iii.

Dalan between 1&2 iv. Domed Building & its court to the south of

No. 3, v. Dalans and all ruined Buildings to the north of no. 1 and

existing upto No.10 vi. Five Chhatris to the case of No. 1& No.5 vii.

Old Gate to the north of No.6 viii. Three Chhatris to the north-

west of No.7

ix. Ruined courtyard and its Dalans with the Domed building to

the north-west to the No.8

x. Old wall running east from No.4 xi. 2.23 Acres of land

surrounding the above monuments and bouded on the North by

house of Chhange and Mehra Chand sons of Hansram and

house of Uderam, son of Kusha South Ghairmunkan Resta

East By village site belonging to village community house

Hauz Khas

48

of Nots Zadar sons of Jai Singh Chhamar and field Nos. 338 &

331 belonging to Naider and others West By field no. 185

belonging to Udaram, son of Kusal Jat and field No. 186

belonging to Jagins and Sajawal Rajput, No. 195 Ghairmunkin

Johar, common of Jats and Musalmans and filed no. 196,

Ghairmunkin Pall.

61. Bag-i-Alam Gumbad with a Mosque Humayunpur

62. Kali Gumti Humayunpur (Hauz Khas)

63. Tefewala Gumbad Humayunpur Deer Park

(Hauz Khas)

64. Arab Sarai Patti, Ghiapur in Hauz

Inderpat

65. The Gate way of Arab Sarai facing North towards Purana Qila Near Arab Sarai Village

66. The Gate way of Arab Sarai facing East towards the tomb of

Humayun

Near Arab Sarai Village

67. Remainig Gateways of Arab Sarai and of Abadi-Bagh-Buhalima Near Arab Sarai Village

68. Lakhar wal Gumbad (Tomb) Inderpat Estate (Sunder

Nursery), Near Delhi Public

School, Mathura Road,

Nizamuddin

69. Sunderwala Burj Inderpat Estate (Sunder

Nursery)

70. Sunderwala Mahal Inderpat Estate (Sunder

Nursery)

71. Bijay Mandal, neighbouring domes, buildings and dalan to north

of Begumpur

In village Kalusarai

(Sarvapriya Vihar)

72. Old Lodi Bridge with approaches Near tomb of Sikander

Lodi, Khairpur

73. Mosque with the dalans and courtyard and the Bara Gumbaj

(the domed entracne to the mosque)

Khairpur

74. The tomb of Mohammed Shah known as Mubarak Khan- Ka-

Gumbaz

Khairpur

75. Tomb of Sikander Lodi with its enclosure wall and bastions, gates

& compound

Khairpur

76. Unknown tomb with blue tiles decoration known as Shisha

Gumbad

Khairpur

77. Bandi or Poti ka Gumbad III-280 Kharera village between

Hauz Khas and Qutab

road

78. Biran-Ka-Gumbad-282 Kharera village between

Hauz Khas and Qutab

road

79. Biwi or Dadi-ka-Gumbad-281 Kharera village between

Hauz Khas and Qutab

road

80. Chor Minar No. 289 Vol III Kharehra (Hauz Khas

Enclave)

81. Choti Gunti Kharehra village Green

Park

82. Idgah of Kharehra No. 287, Vol III Kharehra village, Hauz

Khas Enclave

83. Nili Mosque Kharehra village, Hauz

Khas Enclave

84. Sakri Gumti-284 Kharehra village Green

Park

85. Khirkee Masjid Village Khirkee

86. Satpula-III 216 Village Khirkee

87. Tomb of Usuf-Quttal At Khirkee in field no.81

min, Property of Shamlat

deh.

88. Jahaz Mahal Mehrauli

89. Shamsid Tallab together with platform entrance gates. Mehrauli

90. Moti Masjid Mehrauli

49

91. Old Palace of Bahadur Shah II alias Lal Mahal in Mehrauli Mehrauli

92. Bara Khamba-285 Kherera village tombs

between Hauz Khas,

Qutab raod

93. The Qutab Archaeological area as now fenced in, including the

Mosque, Iron Pillar, Minar of Qutab-din, unfinished Minar, all

colonnads, screen arches, tomb of Altmash, college, buildings of

Aluddin, Tomb of Imam Zamin and all carved stoens in the

above area with gardens, paths and water channels, and all

gateways including the Alai-Darwaza , also all graves in the

above area

Mehrauli

94. Tomb of Adam Khan (Rest House) Mehrauli

95. Tomb and Mosque of Maulana Jamali Kamali Mehrauli

96. Wall mosque Mehrauli

97. Walls of Lal Kot and Rai Pithora's fort from Sohan Gate to Adam

Khan's tomb including the ditch where there is an outer wall

Mehrauli Kh. No. 1783,

1765, 1766, 1767, 1770,

1772, 1773, 1798 & 1764

98. Walls of Lal Kot and Rai Pithora's fort at the point where they

meet together

Near Jamali Kamali's

Mosque Mehrauli Kh. No.

1754, Loddho Sarai Kh.No.

86,87

99. Wall of Rai Pithora's fort including gateways and bastions Mehrauli

100. Gates and walls of Mubarakpur, Kotla in village Mubarakpur village Mubarakpur, Kotla

101. Moti-ki-Masjid Behind south externsion

Part II.

102. Inchla Wali Gunti village Mubarakpur, Kotla

103. Kala Gumbad village Mubarakpur, Kotla

104. Tombs of Bade-Khan, and Mubarakpur Kotla, Kotla village Mubarakpur, Kotla

105. Tombs of Chote Khan, Mubarakpur Kotla

106. Tomb of Mubarik in Mubarakpur, Kotla village Mubarakpur, Kotla

107. Mosque attached to Mubarak shah Tomb village Mubarakpur, Kotla

108. Tomb of Bhura Khan village Mubarakpur, Kotla

109. Tin Burji Walla Gumbad Mohammed pur village II,

304

110. Unnamed tomb Mohammed pur village ,

305

111. Baoli Munirka II. 318.

112. Munda Gumbad Munrika 302.

113. Unnamed Mosque Munirka 314.

114. Unnamed Tomb Munirka 313.

115. Unnamed Tomb Munirka 315.

116. Unnamed Tomb Munirka 316.

117. Unnamed Tomb Munirka 317.

118. i. Unnamed Mosque

ii. Unnamed Tomb

Munirka 321&

Munirka 322

119. Wajir pur- ki-Gumbad Munirka 312.

120. The Afsah-walla-ki-Masjid situated outside the west gate of

Humayun's tomb with its dalans and paved court bounded on

the east by Humayun's tomb on the west by Abadi Arab Sarai on

the north by road and Khasra No. 252 and on the south by

Abadi Ara