Restoration can’t begin until weather completely improves
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Sept 5: The recent torrential rains that lashed the Jammu region have left behind a trail of devastation not just in homes and fields, but in the very heart of its history as over a dozen historic monuments, including the iconic Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, have suffered extensive structural damage.
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As per the reports from different districts of Jammu province, from ancient forts to temples and step-wells (bowlis), the heritage map of Jammu now reads like a casualty list and the preservationists fear that if heavy rains continue for more days, many of these priceless sites may never fully recover.
The most heart-wrenching blow has been dealt to the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, the former royal seat of the Dogra dynasty and a symbol of Jammu’s regal past. Several towers and walls have cracked, ceilings have given way and intricate stonework has eroded under the relentless downpours, some officials dealing with the conservation work told EXCELSIOR on the condition of anonymity, adding “the latest scene of several portions of the complex resembles a battlefield of rubble and ruin”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Mubarak Mandi is undergoing phased restoration for years with certain portions painstakingly conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
They said that lifting debris right now could destabilize adjoining walls and trigger fresh collapse and engineers will have to wait till dry spell before starting temporary restoration wherever required. “Rushing could cause irreversible damage”, they added.
As per the experts, historic monuments like Mubarak Mandi are made of traditional lime mortar and mud plaster, both highly vulnerable to moisture and unless the structures are allowed to dry naturally, any intervention might worsen the cracks.
Likewise, forts, shrines, ancient temples and step-wells scattered across the region and are state protected monuments have also suffered serious blows. In some cases, protective boundary walls have collapsed, exposing interiors to further damage.
“Ladden Kotli Fort in Udhampur, a protected monument, has faced massive destruction in the recent incessant rains. A wall has completely collapsed while others have developed cracks”, reports said, adding “Charai Muttal Bowli Complex, also in Udhampur, consisting of six historic step-wells (bowlis) has suffered extensive damage and its walls are now caving in thereby weakening the entire heritage site”.
Zorawar Singh Palace in Reasi, a protected heritage structure named after the legendary Dogra General, has been facing gradual decay due to the absence of timely restoration. Natural calamities have weakened its walls over time and during the recent rainfall more walls have caved in, reports said.
Fresh damages have also been noticed to the Mahorgarh Fort in Samba as one of the walls of the fort has been badly affected intensifying its vulnerability despite ongoing preservation measures. Likewise, Samba Fort, another protected monument, has suffered serious damage to its extreme front right-side wall due to torrential rainfall. The persistent rains have worsened the condition, endangering its stability.
The heritage site of Godha Gali in Ramban has also suffered extensive damage due to flooding triggered by continuous rainfall. The boundary wall collapsed and several heritage sculptures of immense archaeological value were washed away into an adjoining nullah.
The Jaffer Chak Masjid, a protected monument of historical importance, has been deteriorating due to repeated natural calamities and a lack of timely restoration. The Jalandhra Devi Temple, a centuries-old protected monument in Udhampur, has also developed seepage in its roof and walls due to the recent heavy rainfall.
Commenting on the damages suffered by historic monuments, heritage activists said, “these monuments are not just stones; they are the living memory of Jammu’s past. If we lose them, we lose our identity”, adding “the Government should declare emergency protection measures for heritage sites, including temporary covers, chemical treatment for exposed surfaces and round-the-clock monitoring of fragile structures”.
“The rain has reminded Jammu of a painful truth: heritage is fragile and without care, centuries can vanish in days”, they said.
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