Restoration work on at Patiala8217;s Quila Mubarak

CHANDIGARH, Oct 19: To preserve its heritage and antiquity, major conservation and restoration work has been taken up at the Quila Mubara...

CHANDIGARH, Oct 19: To preserve its heritage and antiquity, major conservation and restoration work has been taken up at the Quila Mubarak Fort in Patiala by the Chandigarh Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India ASI.

A protected monument, the Quila Mubarak8217;s foundation was laid by Baba Ala Singh in 1764 and it was completed by his grandson, Maharaj Karam Singh. On the request of the Punjab government, the ASI has taken up the work of carrying out structural repairs. Special artisans have been arranged, with care being taken to carry out the repairs as per the original details and to retain the orginal fabric as far as possible. The first phase of the work is estimated to cost around Rs 50 lakh.

The fort, which was a residential as well as a political complex, had become the nerve centre of Patiala town and as such the main town and bazar sprung up around it. later it was used for housing offices and institutions. This resulted in certain additions and alterations without understanding its architectural significance. Repairs, using RCC and cement, further marred its originality. The major conservation work involves repair of load-bearing structures. Further, steel beams and reinforcement bars have rusted and the timber used for flooring and in roofs has decayed over the years.

Most of the walls have developed cracks or have bulged out. The lime plaster on the walls has peeled off, causing dampness and growth of vegetation. Patch repairs with cement would also have to be removed. The concrete floor has worn off at many places.

The intricate decorative work on walls, windows and doors of Ranbasar Courtrooms, Sarad Khana summer residence and the Durbar Hall have also been damaged. Already the decayed and damaged floors in the front part of the fort have been dismantled. Three timber floors have been reset. The flat roofs have been restored as per original design and their surface has been made watertight.