Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 4: Rahul Bhola, a heritage conservation researcher from Jammu, has been awarded an international research grant under the prestigious Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (EMKP) of the British Museum. His project, titled “Traditional Construction Systems and Indigenous Materials in the Pir Panjal Region of the Lower Himalayas,” was selected after a highly competitive review process.
The research focuses on documenting the timber-laced stone masonry vernacular architecture of Doda district, aiming to preserve endangered traditional building techniques, cultural knowledge and spatial practices. The project includes ethnographic studies, measured drawings, video documentation and 3D digital modelling.
The EMKP panel praised Bhola’s proposal for its clear articulation of the urgent need to safeguard disappearing heritage linked to ecology, climate and community life. Bhola will collaborate with local builders, women artisans and elders while conducting fieldwork in remote areas of the Pir Panjal Region.
In September 2025, Bhola attended a training week at the British Museum in London. The project is a collaborative effort with the Pir Panchal organization and experts Jai Karan Singh, Rahul Hans, Aakruti Gupta and Anav Sharma. Dr. Paula Granados García, Head of EMKP, congratulated Bhola, emphasizing the project’s global significance for preserving indigenous knowledge and traditional craftsmanship.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
