Fortification walls of Delhi’s seven cities mended for Games

In an initiative to restore the seven cities of Delhi as part of the conservation project for the Commonwealth Games,the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun restoring and conserving these walls around the seven city citadels.

The focus will be on restoring the conspicuous portions of walls that run along the Games venues. Once the stretches are restored,the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) will take up a project to illuminate them.

“We have begun work on the first four cities — Qila Rai Pithora,Siri,Tughlaqabad and Adilabad — and now the restoration is being extended to Feroz Shah Kotla,Dinpanah (Purana Qila) and Shahjahanabad,” said KK Muhammed,superintending archaeologist,Delhi Circle,ASI.

It is not possible to erect the walls completely in their original topographical limits as the geography of the city has changed,he said. But the portions that can be restored are being worked on.

“There are remnants of such walls around Feroz Shah Kotla,but they are in ruins,” Muhammed said. As for Dinpanah,the walls running along Khairul Manzil and Sher Shah Gate are being restored. Walls connecting the Delhi Gate,Ajmeri Gate and Lahore Gate around Shahjahanabad will be restored and connected.

The ASI,officials said,is working on a shoe-string budget for the project. Altogether,Rs 25 crore has been allocated to it for all the projects that have to be taken up for the Games.

To keep costs low and at the same time not compromise on aesthetics,conservationists working on this initiative are re-using old stones.

“Many walls have crumbled over time and the stones used to make them have got buried,” said Muhammed. “To maintain the authentic look,we are digging out the stones and are re-using them for the restoration.”

The number of stones,however,is not sufficient and these are supplemented with stones from nearby quarries. “The new stones used are mostly Delhi quartz,” he added.

A mixture of Katni lime from Madhya Pradesh along with surkhi (small brick aggregate),juices of bel leaves,tobacco and natural gum from acacia trees is being used for binding the mixture. Unlike cement,this mixture takes a longer time to settle,but lasts for over a thousand years. In contrast,cement gives in by a mere century,said an engineer working on the project.