Concerns Raised Over Alterations to Delhi's Historic Barh Ki Chowki
Heritage fades at city’s oldest surviving police chowki
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Barh Ki Chowki, the oldest surviving police chowki in Delhi's Sarai Rohilla, has undergone significant alterations that compromise its historical integrity. After a restoration project by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach), recent changes, including repainting and garden concretization, have sparked disappointment among heritage advocates.
- 01Barh Ki Chowki, built in the early 1800s, has lost much of its original character due to recent alterations.
- 02The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) restored the structure in 2022, but changes have since been made.
- 03Local police were unaware of the alterations, which were decided by district staff.
- 04The garden surrounding the chowki has been concretized, and a porta cabin has been re-erected.
- 05Intach expressed disappointment over the changes, stating they had no role in the site after restoration.
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Barh Ki Chowki, located in Sarai Rohilla, New Delhi, is the city's oldest surviving police chowki, believed to have been built in the early 1800s. After a restoration project by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) in March 2022, which aimed to preserve its historical character, the structure has recently been altered. Changes include repainting the facade an off-white shade and concretizing the garden, which has drawn criticism from heritage advocates. Police personnel operating from the site claimed they were unaware of when the alterations occurred, while a senior police officer indicated that local district staff made the changes to address concerns about dust and repairs. Intach officials expressed disappointment, noting that they had no control over the site post-restoration. The chowki, which served as a police post from 1923 to 1963, was rediscovered in 2006 and restored to preserve its historical significance. However, the recent modifications have raised concerns about the future of this heritage structure.
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The alterations to Barh Ki Chowki may affect local heritage conservation efforts and the preservation of historical sites in Delhi.
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