Yojana Magazine December 2022 - 2 | Monthly Yojana & Kurukshetra Magazine (English) - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


YOJANA   December 2022 19
ndia boasts of several millennia of built heritage and living culture 
represented in the traditional architectural crafts. In the 21
st
 
century, it may now be time to reflect on a truly Indian approach 
to conservation, one that allows leveraging our historical assets to 
improve socio-economic conditions of residents of our historic cities. 
The residents of our numerous historic city centres can benefit from greater 
integration of preservation and conservation efforts with public policies and 
schemes for development measures. To demonstrate such an approach, the Aga 
Khan Trust for Culture in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India, 
Central Public Works Department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi 
have undertaken a 15-year urban renewal project at the Humayun’s Tomb– 
Nizamuddin area in Delhi. Here, conservation efforts have incorporated local 
area development through employment generation, boosting local crafts and 
arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
The Archaeological Survey of India is taking several steps to ensure long 
term, sustainable preservation of our nation’s heritage in a manner that is based 
on increased awareness amongst the public of the significance of our heritage 
and increased involvement of civil society in the preservation effort. Over the 
last two decades there has been increased awareness of the value of the urban 
setting of our sites in ensuring that the historic character is retained. This led 
to guidelines issued in 1992 and the formation of the National Monument 
Authority, mandated to create guidelines for new buildings in the setting of each 
one of nation’s protected monuments. However, rather than be prohibitive, the 
guidelines should stress on improvement measures and incentives that enable 
improving of the historic urban environment as well improvement of the quality 
of life for local residents. 
Development of Historic City Centres
Ratish Nanda
The author is Conservation Architect & CEO, Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Email: ratish.nanda@akdn.org
I
India’s monuments 
are irreplaceable and 
significant asset for 
the nation and its 
people with associated 
emotional, religious, 
economical, historic, 
architectural, and 
archaeological values 
amongst others. Their 
conservation efforts 
require craftsmen 
using traditional 
materials, tools, and 
building techniques 
and can also become 
a significant employer. 
Unlike the West, we 
in India are fortunate 
that our craft traditions 
have survived to the 
present times, and it 
is recommended an 
emphasis on a  
craft-based approach 
to conservation as 
well as modern public 
buildings.
heRIt AGe coNseRv AtIoN
fOcuS
Conservation efforts have incorporated local area development through employment generation, 
boosting local crafts and arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
Page 2


YOJANA   December 2022 19
ndia boasts of several millennia of built heritage and living culture 
represented in the traditional architectural crafts. In the 21
st
 
century, it may now be time to reflect on a truly Indian approach 
to conservation, one that allows leveraging our historical assets to 
improve socio-economic conditions of residents of our historic cities. 
The residents of our numerous historic city centres can benefit from greater 
integration of preservation and conservation efforts with public policies and 
schemes for development measures. To demonstrate such an approach, the Aga 
Khan Trust for Culture in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India, 
Central Public Works Department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi 
have undertaken a 15-year urban renewal project at the Humayun’s Tomb– 
Nizamuddin area in Delhi. Here, conservation efforts have incorporated local 
area development through employment generation, boosting local crafts and 
arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
The Archaeological Survey of India is taking several steps to ensure long 
term, sustainable preservation of our nation’s heritage in a manner that is based 
on increased awareness amongst the public of the significance of our heritage 
and increased involvement of civil society in the preservation effort. Over the 
last two decades there has been increased awareness of the value of the urban 
setting of our sites in ensuring that the historic character is retained. This led 
to guidelines issued in 1992 and the formation of the National Monument 
Authority, mandated to create guidelines for new buildings in the setting of each 
one of nation’s protected monuments. However, rather than be prohibitive, the 
guidelines should stress on improvement measures and incentives that enable 
improving of the historic urban environment as well improvement of the quality 
of life for local residents. 
Development of Historic City Centres
Ratish Nanda
The author is Conservation Architect & CEO, Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Email: ratish.nanda@akdn.org
I
India’s monuments 
are irreplaceable and 
significant asset for 
the nation and its 
people with associated 
emotional, religious, 
economical, historic, 
architectural, and 
archaeological values 
amongst others. Their 
conservation efforts 
require craftsmen 
using traditional 
materials, tools, and 
building techniques 
and can also become 
a significant employer. 
Unlike the West, we 
in India are fortunate 
that our craft traditions 
have survived to the 
present times, and it 
is recommended an 
emphasis on a  
craft-based approach 
to conservation as 
well as modern public 
buildings.
heRIt AGe coNseRv AtIoN
fOcuS
Conservation efforts have incorporated local area development through employment generation, 
boosting local crafts and arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
20 YOJANA   December 2022
In 1997, on the occasion of the 50
th
 anniversary of 
India’s independence, the garden restoration of Humayun’s 
Tomb– a designated World Heritage Site was initiated. After 
the project was completed in 2003, within a few months, 
after the restoration of the Mughal Garden and flowing water, 
it led to a 1000% increase in visitor numbers to Humayun’s 
Tomb. Following the success of the garden restoration, the 
Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) was asked, by the 
Government of India, to undertake further work in India 
and it was agreed that AKTC would build up on the garden 
restoration to undertake a large urban renewal project that 
would include conservation of several monuments coupled 
with major initiatives in socio-economic development 
focused on the residential communities of the adjoining 
Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti as well as landscaping over 200 
acres of a designated district park with a focus on ecological 
restoration.              
Building archaeology of the Humayun’s Tomb World 
Heritage Site, a precursor to the more famed Taj Mahal, 
revealed that the building had suffered 
over a century of inappropriate 
conservation work. A million kilos of 
concrete was required to be removed 
from the roof– laid here in the 20
th
 
century to prevent rainwater ingress; 
over 200,000 square feet of cement 
plaster was similarly required to be 
removed and replaced with traditional 
lime plaster. Original doors had been 
removed for firewood in the 20
th
 century 
and the remnant tilework on the interiors 
removed and replaced with plain plaster. 
Similar treatment was meted out to many of India’s 
monuments where well-meaning past repairs were 
carried out using inappropriate modern materials not only 
compromised the original design intention but also set in 
a process of accelerated decay. At Humayun’s Tomb, the 
Conservation Plan prepared and agreed at the onset with 
the Archaeological Survey of India, established the intent of 
the AKTC conservation initiative to remove inappropriate 
past repairs and replace these with authentic repairs 
using traditional materials used with traditional building 
techniques by master craftsmen. 
It is well established that using traditional building 
materials– stone, earth, bamboo, timber, brick– our 
forefathers built splendid structures, from modest residences 
in wonderful cities to grand palaces, monasteries, temples, 
tombs, stupas, amongst others. For anyone who bothers to 
compare buildings built only a few decades ago to what 
is mushrooming in Indian cities today, it is not easy to 
understand how our design and craft capabilities were lost 
within a few years of materials such as 
cement, steel, and glass becoming easily 
available. In the shift from the traditional 
to the ‘cheap’ modern, we have lost 
architectural craft skills that had the 
capability of creating millions of man-
days of employment while ensuring that 
our cities had both a unique identity as 
well as a higher quality of life. 
Conservation effort requires 
craftsmen using traditional materials, 
tools and building techniques and can 
also become a significant employer. 
The Archaeological Survey of 
India is taking several steps to 
ensure long term, sustainable 
preservation of our nation’s 
heritage in a manner that is based 
on increased awareness amongst 
the public of the significance 
of our heritage and increased 
involvement of civil society in the 
preservation effort.
The 90-acre Sunder Nursery Park attracted over 700,000 visitors in 2021. With six UNESCO World heritage structures, 30 acres of wilderness zone, 
and facilities like amphitheater, children play zones situated here, the park is one of the top tourist attractions of Delhi.
Page 3


YOJANA   December 2022 19
ndia boasts of several millennia of built heritage and living culture 
represented in the traditional architectural crafts. In the 21
st
 
century, it may now be time to reflect on a truly Indian approach 
to conservation, one that allows leveraging our historical assets to 
improve socio-economic conditions of residents of our historic cities. 
The residents of our numerous historic city centres can benefit from greater 
integration of preservation and conservation efforts with public policies and 
schemes for development measures. To demonstrate such an approach, the Aga 
Khan Trust for Culture in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India, 
Central Public Works Department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi 
have undertaken a 15-year urban renewal project at the Humayun’s Tomb– 
Nizamuddin area in Delhi. Here, conservation efforts have incorporated local 
area development through employment generation, boosting local crafts and 
arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
The Archaeological Survey of India is taking several steps to ensure long 
term, sustainable preservation of our nation’s heritage in a manner that is based 
on increased awareness amongst the public of the significance of our heritage 
and increased involvement of civil society in the preservation effort. Over the 
last two decades there has been increased awareness of the value of the urban 
setting of our sites in ensuring that the historic character is retained. This led 
to guidelines issued in 1992 and the formation of the National Monument 
Authority, mandated to create guidelines for new buildings in the setting of each 
one of nation’s protected monuments. However, rather than be prohibitive, the 
guidelines should stress on improvement measures and incentives that enable 
improving of the historic urban environment as well improvement of the quality 
of life for local residents. 
Development of Historic City Centres
Ratish Nanda
The author is Conservation Architect & CEO, Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Email: ratish.nanda@akdn.org
I
India’s monuments 
are irreplaceable and 
significant asset for 
the nation and its 
people with associated 
emotional, religious, 
economical, historic, 
architectural, and 
archaeological values 
amongst others. Their 
conservation efforts 
require craftsmen 
using traditional 
materials, tools, and 
building techniques 
and can also become 
a significant employer. 
Unlike the West, we 
in India are fortunate 
that our craft traditions 
have survived to the 
present times, and it 
is recommended an 
emphasis on a  
craft-based approach 
to conservation as 
well as modern public 
buildings.
heRIt AGe coNseRv AtIoN
fOcuS
Conservation efforts have incorporated local area development through employment generation, 
boosting local crafts and arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
20 YOJANA   December 2022
In 1997, on the occasion of the 50
th
 anniversary of 
India’s independence, the garden restoration of Humayun’s 
Tomb– a designated World Heritage Site was initiated. After 
the project was completed in 2003, within a few months, 
after the restoration of the Mughal Garden and flowing water, 
it led to a 1000% increase in visitor numbers to Humayun’s 
Tomb. Following the success of the garden restoration, the 
Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) was asked, by the 
Government of India, to undertake further work in India 
and it was agreed that AKTC would build up on the garden 
restoration to undertake a large urban renewal project that 
would include conservation of several monuments coupled 
with major initiatives in socio-economic development 
focused on the residential communities of the adjoining 
Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti as well as landscaping over 200 
acres of a designated district park with a focus on ecological 
restoration.              
Building archaeology of the Humayun’s Tomb World 
Heritage Site, a precursor to the more famed Taj Mahal, 
revealed that the building had suffered 
over a century of inappropriate 
conservation work. A million kilos of 
concrete was required to be removed 
from the roof– laid here in the 20
th
 
century to prevent rainwater ingress; 
over 200,000 square feet of cement 
plaster was similarly required to be 
removed and replaced with traditional 
lime plaster. Original doors had been 
removed for firewood in the 20
th
 century 
and the remnant tilework on the interiors 
removed and replaced with plain plaster. 
Similar treatment was meted out to many of India’s 
monuments where well-meaning past repairs were 
carried out using inappropriate modern materials not only 
compromised the original design intention but also set in 
a process of accelerated decay. At Humayun’s Tomb, the 
Conservation Plan prepared and agreed at the onset with 
the Archaeological Survey of India, established the intent of 
the AKTC conservation initiative to remove inappropriate 
past repairs and replace these with authentic repairs 
using traditional materials used with traditional building 
techniques by master craftsmen. 
It is well established that using traditional building 
materials– stone, earth, bamboo, timber, brick– our 
forefathers built splendid structures, from modest residences 
in wonderful cities to grand palaces, monasteries, temples, 
tombs, stupas, amongst others. For anyone who bothers to 
compare buildings built only a few decades ago to what 
is mushrooming in Indian cities today, it is not easy to 
understand how our design and craft capabilities were lost 
within a few years of materials such as 
cement, steel, and glass becoming easily 
available. In the shift from the traditional 
to the ‘cheap’ modern, we have lost 
architectural craft skills that had the 
capability of creating millions of man-
days of employment while ensuring that 
our cities had both a unique identity as 
well as a higher quality of life. 
Conservation effort requires 
craftsmen using traditional materials, 
tools and building techniques and can 
also become a significant employer. 
The Archaeological Survey of 
India is taking several steps to 
ensure long term, sustainable 
preservation of our nation’s 
heritage in a manner that is based 
on increased awareness amongst 
the public of the significance 
of our heritage and increased 
involvement of civil society in the 
preservation effort.
The 90-acre Sunder Nursery Park attracted over 700,000 visitors in 2021. With six UNESCO World heritage structures, 30 acres of wilderness zone, 
and facilities like amphitheater, children play zones situated here, the park is one of the top tourist attractions of Delhi.
YOJANA   December 2022 21
Unlike the West, we in India are fortunate 
that our craft traditions have survived to 
the present times, and it is recommended 
an emphasis on a craft-based approach 
to conservation as well as modern public 
buildings. With stone carvers, plasterers, 
masons, carpenters, bricklayers, who 
take great pride in replicating the 
work of their forefathers, being at the 
forefront of building conservation the 
design intention of the original builders 
will be respected and the understanding 
of significance and interest in our 
built heritage amongst visitors will be 
retained. The craftsmen should also 
once again become stakeholders in 
the preservation effort and continue to 
impart traditional skills to their future 
generations who are moving to other 
trades in large numbers.  
India’s national monuments are 
irreplaceable and significant asset for 
the nation and its people with associated 
emotional, religious, economical, 
historic, architectural and archaeological values amongst 
others. These assets are however under threat from the 
pressures of urbanisation. To achieve conservation and 
development objectives, different agencies of the government 
need to partner with academic institutes/civil society and 
local communities. It has already been demonstrated that any 
resources invested in such an endeavour leads to multiple 
returns as well as fulfilling multiple government objectives. 
Several of our monuments stand amidst dense urban 
inhabitation in our many historic cities. Also, often the 
communities residing around monuments in these dense 
urban centres are poor and often 
deprived of even the most basic 
urban infrastructure. The success of 
the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal has 
demonstrated a model approach for 
community-based conservation. Not 
only have several protected monuments 
in the dense Hazrat Nizamuddin 
Basti undergone conservation but the 
conservation effort has been coupled with 
providing education, health services, 
vocational training to create economic 
opportunities for local youth and 
women, sanitation, urban improvements 
including landscaping neighbourhood 
parks and street improvements, revival 
of a 700-year living culture centred 
around Sufism and Qawwali, creating 
performance spaces, amongst other 
aspects. It is hoped that the community 
of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti will now 
play a pivotal role in the preservation of 
the built heritage that stands amidst their 
neighbourhood and that conservation/ 
culture can be used a tool for development in several other 
similar historic urban areas of India. 
For the Nizamuddin model for ‘Conservation led 
Development’ to be replicated requires significant public-
private partnership with NGO’s, Resident Welfare 
Associations, grant making organisations, corporate sectors, 
Municipal Councils/Corporations to come together with 
a long-term vision. The initiative has global lessons but 
has been possible with a multi-disciplinary team creating 
customised, contextual and local solutions all aimed at 
improving the quality of life for inhabitants with heritage 
assets restored and well taken care of. 
At many of popular sites, the need for Museums/ 
Interpretation Centres either located within existing 
buildings or in new sensitively designed structures, is 
now strongly felt. In order to enhance visitor experience 
and attract younger generation of visitors to major sites 
or ensembles of monuments state-of-art displays using 
new media are planned. Examples from across the world 
demonstrate that significant modern architecture can 
revitalise the economy and generate major visitor interest in 
heritage sites. At present the Aga Khan Trust for Culture is 
engaged in building museums at both the Humayun’s Tomb 
as well as the Qutub Shahi Tombs at Golconda, Hyderabad; 
the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has provided 
funds for both these projects.
Conservation and development should go hand-in-
hand, but conservation interest must remain paramount 
if any such development is to be sustainable in 
perpetuity.                                                                ?
The success of the 
Nizamuddin Urban Renewal 
has demonstrated a model 
approach for community-based 
conservation. Not only have 
several protected monuments in 
the dense Hazrat Nizamuddin 
Basti undergone conservation 
but the conservation effort has 
been coupled with providing 
education, health services, 
vocational training to create 
economic opportunities for local 
youth and women, sanitation, 
urban improvements revival of 
a 700-year living culture centred 
around Sufism and Qawwali, 
creating performance spaces, 
amongst other aspects. 
View of the 14th-century Nizamudding Baoli, which is set amidst historical 
monuments all around. A major urban conservation programme was 
undertaken here, after its collapse in July 2008 where apart from the 
conservation of this structure and over 10 monuments in the complex, Basti 
youth were trained to conduct heritage walks in the area.
Page 4


YOJANA   December 2022 19
ndia boasts of several millennia of built heritage and living culture 
represented in the traditional architectural crafts. In the 21
st
 
century, it may now be time to reflect on a truly Indian approach 
to conservation, one that allows leveraging our historical assets to 
improve socio-economic conditions of residents of our historic cities. 
The residents of our numerous historic city centres can benefit from greater 
integration of preservation and conservation efforts with public policies and 
schemes for development measures. To demonstrate such an approach, the Aga 
Khan Trust for Culture in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India, 
Central Public Works Department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi 
have undertaken a 15-year urban renewal project at the Humayun’s Tomb– 
Nizamuddin area in Delhi. Here, conservation efforts have incorporated local 
area development through employment generation, boosting local crafts and 
arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
The Archaeological Survey of India is taking several steps to ensure long 
term, sustainable preservation of our nation’s heritage in a manner that is based 
on increased awareness amongst the public of the significance of our heritage 
and increased involvement of civil society in the preservation effort. Over the 
last two decades there has been increased awareness of the value of the urban 
setting of our sites in ensuring that the historic character is retained. This led 
to guidelines issued in 1992 and the formation of the National Monument 
Authority, mandated to create guidelines for new buildings in the setting of each 
one of nation’s protected monuments. However, rather than be prohibitive, the 
guidelines should stress on improvement measures and incentives that enable 
improving of the historic urban environment as well improvement of the quality 
of life for local residents. 
Development of Historic City Centres
Ratish Nanda
The author is Conservation Architect & CEO, Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Email: ratish.nanda@akdn.org
I
India’s monuments 
are irreplaceable and 
significant asset for 
the nation and its 
people with associated 
emotional, religious, 
economical, historic, 
architectural, and 
archaeological values 
amongst others. Their 
conservation efforts 
require craftsmen 
using traditional 
materials, tools, and 
building techniques 
and can also become 
a significant employer. 
Unlike the West, we 
in India are fortunate 
that our craft traditions 
have survived to the 
present times, and it 
is recommended an 
emphasis on a  
craft-based approach 
to conservation as 
well as modern public 
buildings.
heRIt AGe coNseRv AtIoN
fOcuS
Conservation efforts have incorporated local area development through employment generation, 
boosting local crafts and arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
20 YOJANA   December 2022
In 1997, on the occasion of the 50
th
 anniversary of 
India’s independence, the garden restoration of Humayun’s 
Tomb– a designated World Heritage Site was initiated. After 
the project was completed in 2003, within a few months, 
after the restoration of the Mughal Garden and flowing water, 
it led to a 1000% increase in visitor numbers to Humayun’s 
Tomb. Following the success of the garden restoration, the 
Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) was asked, by the 
Government of India, to undertake further work in India 
and it was agreed that AKTC would build up on the garden 
restoration to undertake a large urban renewal project that 
would include conservation of several monuments coupled 
with major initiatives in socio-economic development 
focused on the residential communities of the adjoining 
Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti as well as landscaping over 200 
acres of a designated district park with a focus on ecological 
restoration.              
Building archaeology of the Humayun’s Tomb World 
Heritage Site, a precursor to the more famed Taj Mahal, 
revealed that the building had suffered 
over a century of inappropriate 
conservation work. A million kilos of 
concrete was required to be removed 
from the roof– laid here in the 20
th
 
century to prevent rainwater ingress; 
over 200,000 square feet of cement 
plaster was similarly required to be 
removed and replaced with traditional 
lime plaster. Original doors had been 
removed for firewood in the 20
th
 century 
and the remnant tilework on the interiors 
removed and replaced with plain plaster. 
Similar treatment was meted out to many of India’s 
monuments where well-meaning past repairs were 
carried out using inappropriate modern materials not only 
compromised the original design intention but also set in 
a process of accelerated decay. At Humayun’s Tomb, the 
Conservation Plan prepared and agreed at the onset with 
the Archaeological Survey of India, established the intent of 
the AKTC conservation initiative to remove inappropriate 
past repairs and replace these with authentic repairs 
using traditional materials used with traditional building 
techniques by master craftsmen. 
It is well established that using traditional building 
materials– stone, earth, bamboo, timber, brick– our 
forefathers built splendid structures, from modest residences 
in wonderful cities to grand palaces, monasteries, temples, 
tombs, stupas, amongst others. For anyone who bothers to 
compare buildings built only a few decades ago to what 
is mushrooming in Indian cities today, it is not easy to 
understand how our design and craft capabilities were lost 
within a few years of materials such as 
cement, steel, and glass becoming easily 
available. In the shift from the traditional 
to the ‘cheap’ modern, we have lost 
architectural craft skills that had the 
capability of creating millions of man-
days of employment while ensuring that 
our cities had both a unique identity as 
well as a higher quality of life. 
Conservation effort requires 
craftsmen using traditional materials, 
tools and building techniques and can 
also become a significant employer. 
The Archaeological Survey of 
India is taking several steps to 
ensure long term, sustainable 
preservation of our nation’s 
heritage in a manner that is based 
on increased awareness amongst 
the public of the significance 
of our heritage and increased 
involvement of civil society in the 
preservation effort.
The 90-acre Sunder Nursery Park attracted over 700,000 visitors in 2021. With six UNESCO World heritage structures, 30 acres of wilderness zone, 
and facilities like amphitheater, children play zones situated here, the park is one of the top tourist attractions of Delhi.
YOJANA   December 2022 21
Unlike the West, we in India are fortunate 
that our craft traditions have survived to 
the present times, and it is recommended 
an emphasis on a craft-based approach 
to conservation as well as modern public 
buildings. With stone carvers, plasterers, 
masons, carpenters, bricklayers, who 
take great pride in replicating the 
work of their forefathers, being at the 
forefront of building conservation the 
design intention of the original builders 
will be respected and the understanding 
of significance and interest in our 
built heritage amongst visitors will be 
retained. The craftsmen should also 
once again become stakeholders in 
the preservation effort and continue to 
impart traditional skills to their future 
generations who are moving to other 
trades in large numbers.  
India’s national monuments are 
irreplaceable and significant asset for 
the nation and its people with associated 
emotional, religious, economical, 
historic, architectural and archaeological values amongst 
others. These assets are however under threat from the 
pressures of urbanisation. To achieve conservation and 
development objectives, different agencies of the government 
need to partner with academic institutes/civil society and 
local communities. It has already been demonstrated that any 
resources invested in such an endeavour leads to multiple 
returns as well as fulfilling multiple government objectives. 
Several of our monuments stand amidst dense urban 
inhabitation in our many historic cities. Also, often the 
communities residing around monuments in these dense 
urban centres are poor and often 
deprived of even the most basic 
urban infrastructure. The success of 
the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal has 
demonstrated a model approach for 
community-based conservation. Not 
only have several protected monuments 
in the dense Hazrat Nizamuddin 
Basti undergone conservation but the 
conservation effort has been coupled with 
providing education, health services, 
vocational training to create economic 
opportunities for local youth and 
women, sanitation, urban improvements 
including landscaping neighbourhood 
parks and street improvements, revival 
of a 700-year living culture centred 
around Sufism and Qawwali, creating 
performance spaces, amongst other 
aspects. It is hoped that the community 
of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti will now 
play a pivotal role in the preservation of 
the built heritage that stands amidst their 
neighbourhood and that conservation/ 
culture can be used a tool for development in several other 
similar historic urban areas of India. 
For the Nizamuddin model for ‘Conservation led 
Development’ to be replicated requires significant public-
private partnership with NGO’s, Resident Welfare 
Associations, grant making organisations, corporate sectors, 
Municipal Councils/Corporations to come together with 
a long-term vision. The initiative has global lessons but 
has been possible with a multi-disciplinary team creating 
customised, contextual and local solutions all aimed at 
improving the quality of life for inhabitants with heritage 
assets restored and well taken care of. 
At many of popular sites, the need for Museums/ 
Interpretation Centres either located within existing 
buildings or in new sensitively designed structures, is 
now strongly felt. In order to enhance visitor experience 
and attract younger generation of visitors to major sites 
or ensembles of monuments state-of-art displays using 
new media are planned. Examples from across the world 
demonstrate that significant modern architecture can 
revitalise the economy and generate major visitor interest in 
heritage sites. At present the Aga Khan Trust for Culture is 
engaged in building museums at both the Humayun’s Tomb 
as well as the Qutub Shahi Tombs at Golconda, Hyderabad; 
the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has provided 
funds for both these projects.
Conservation and development should go hand-in-
hand, but conservation interest must remain paramount 
if any such development is to be sustainable in 
perpetuity.                                                                ?
The success of the 
Nizamuddin Urban Renewal 
has demonstrated a model 
approach for community-based 
conservation. Not only have 
several protected monuments in 
the dense Hazrat Nizamuddin 
Basti undergone conservation 
but the conservation effort has 
been coupled with providing 
education, health services, 
vocational training to create 
economic opportunities for local 
youth and women, sanitation, 
urban improvements revival of 
a 700-year living culture centred 
around Sufism and Qawwali, 
creating performance spaces, 
amongst other aspects. 
View of the 14th-century Nizamudding Baoli, which is set amidst historical 
monuments all around. A major urban conservation programme was 
undertaken here, after its collapse in July 2008 where apart from the 
conservation of this structure and over 10 monuments in the complex, Basti 
youth were trained to conduct heritage walks in the area.
YOJANA   December 2022 23
The Big Temple of Thanjavur (Tanjore) is a stunning monument that speaks volumes about the 
architectural mastery of the Chola era. This Shiva temple is home to one of the largest Shiva 
Lingas of the country. A majestic Nandi (bull) stands guard over the temple. This is the second 
largest Nandi in India and is carved out of a single stone. The temple is recognised as a part of 
the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Everything about this temple is big, majestic. No wonder it is 
referred as Brihadeeshwara or The Big Temple.
he ancient city of Thanjavur (Tanjore) is the cultural capital of the Kaveri delta region. The city and its 
cultural legacy are the end product of three vibrant kingdoms that have ruled this part of Tamil Nadu over the 
past millennium– the Cholas, the Vijayanagar, and the Maratta kings. Of these three, the Cholas take credit for 
identifying the town as a potential political capital when it was captured by Vijayalaya Cholas early in the 9th 
century. From then on, his successors were busy expanding the monarch’s boundary in all possible directions. Rajaraja-I, 
who was engaged in several military expeditions, should have been inspired by the fine temple architecture patronised by 
the Pallavas and other predecessors. His ancestors, who have been devout Saivites have contributed to the development of 
many popular temples of Siva, and should have also inspired him. So, it is only natural for Rajaraja-I to take upon himself 
this mammoth task of constructing what probably should have been the grandest humble offering to Siva.
The temple complex measuring about 244 metres on the east-west and 122 metres north-south is placed inside what is 
referred to as Sivagangai little fort. This fortification is an addition taken over during the renovation by Sevappa Nayaka 
around 17
th
 century. There is also a moat running around this fortification which we cross as we enter the temple complex. 
A well-decorated arched entranceway built during Maratta period welcomes us with various deities fixed as stucco images. 
As we pass the Maratta entrance, we are welcomed by a classic Rajaraja period gopuram named as Keralanthakakan 
Thiruvasal measuring 29.25 metres X 17.4 metres. 
This 5-tiered gopuram has a cellular ambulatory 
on either side. Sixty metres from here is the second 
gopuram called as Rajarajan Thiruvasal. On the 
eastern side of this gopuram are massive monolithic 
dwarapalakkas or door guardians. Also, the stone 
base of this gopuram has bas-relief panels depicting 
episodes from puranas. On entering this gopuram the 
visitor is treated with an aesthetically pleasing grand 
panorama of the Sri Vimanam and the sub-shrines. All 
around the circumference of the compound wall, two-
storeyed cloistered halls had been constructed to be 
used as multipurpose space. There are sub-shrines built 
in between these cloistered halls housing shrines for 
the ashtadikpalaka (deities guarding the 8 directions), 
Ganesha, and the temple yagasalai.
Brihadeeshwara Temple – A Stand-Alone Marvel
Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan
temPLe ARchItectURe The author is an architect who is an expert on temple architecture and is on several committees constituted by the central and state 
government on temple conservation. Email: madhu.kalai0324@gmail.com
T
Page 5


YOJANA   December 2022 19
ndia boasts of several millennia of built heritage and living culture 
represented in the traditional architectural crafts. In the 21
st
 
century, it may now be time to reflect on a truly Indian approach 
to conservation, one that allows leveraging our historical assets to 
improve socio-economic conditions of residents of our historic cities. 
The residents of our numerous historic city centres can benefit from greater 
integration of preservation and conservation efforts with public policies and 
schemes for development measures. To demonstrate such an approach, the Aga 
Khan Trust for Culture in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India, 
Central Public Works Department and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi 
have undertaken a 15-year urban renewal project at the Humayun’s Tomb– 
Nizamuddin area in Delhi. Here, conservation efforts have incorporated local 
area development through employment generation, boosting local crafts and 
arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
The Archaeological Survey of India is taking several steps to ensure long 
term, sustainable preservation of our nation’s heritage in a manner that is based 
on increased awareness amongst the public of the significance of our heritage 
and increased involvement of civil society in the preservation effort. Over the 
last two decades there has been increased awareness of the value of the urban 
setting of our sites in ensuring that the historic character is retained. This led 
to guidelines issued in 1992 and the formation of the National Monument 
Authority, mandated to create guidelines for new buildings in the setting of each 
one of nation’s protected monuments. However, rather than be prohibitive, the 
guidelines should stress on improvement measures and incentives that enable 
improving of the historic urban environment as well improvement of the quality 
of life for local residents. 
Development of Historic City Centres
Ratish Nanda
The author is Conservation Architect & CEO, Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Email: ratish.nanda@akdn.org
I
India’s monuments 
are irreplaceable and 
significant asset for 
the nation and its 
people with associated 
emotional, religious, 
economical, historic, 
architectural, and 
archaeological values 
amongst others. Their 
conservation efforts 
require craftsmen 
using traditional 
materials, tools, and 
building techniques 
and can also become 
a significant employer. 
Unlike the West, we 
in India are fortunate 
that our craft traditions 
have survived to the 
present times, and it 
is recommended an 
emphasis on a  
craft-based approach 
to conservation as 
well as modern public 
buildings.
heRIt AGe coNseRv AtIoN
fOcuS
Conservation efforts have incorporated local area development through employment generation, 
boosting local crafts and arts, building of infrastructure, environmental conservation, and landscaping.
20 YOJANA   December 2022
In 1997, on the occasion of the 50
th
 anniversary of 
India’s independence, the garden restoration of Humayun’s 
Tomb– a designated World Heritage Site was initiated. After 
the project was completed in 2003, within a few months, 
after the restoration of the Mughal Garden and flowing water, 
it led to a 1000% increase in visitor numbers to Humayun’s 
Tomb. Following the success of the garden restoration, the 
Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) was asked, by the 
Government of India, to undertake further work in India 
and it was agreed that AKTC would build up on the garden 
restoration to undertake a large urban renewal project that 
would include conservation of several monuments coupled 
with major initiatives in socio-economic development 
focused on the residential communities of the adjoining 
Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti as well as landscaping over 200 
acres of a designated district park with a focus on ecological 
restoration.              
Building archaeology of the Humayun’s Tomb World 
Heritage Site, a precursor to the more famed Taj Mahal, 
revealed that the building had suffered 
over a century of inappropriate 
conservation work. A million kilos of 
concrete was required to be removed 
from the roof– laid here in the 20
th
 
century to prevent rainwater ingress; 
over 200,000 square feet of cement 
plaster was similarly required to be 
removed and replaced with traditional 
lime plaster. Original doors had been 
removed for firewood in the 20
th
 century 
and the remnant tilework on the interiors 
removed and replaced with plain plaster. 
Similar treatment was meted out to many of India’s 
monuments where well-meaning past repairs were 
carried out using inappropriate modern materials not only 
compromised the original design intention but also set in 
a process of accelerated decay. At Humayun’s Tomb, the 
Conservation Plan prepared and agreed at the onset with 
the Archaeological Survey of India, established the intent of 
the AKTC conservation initiative to remove inappropriate 
past repairs and replace these with authentic repairs 
using traditional materials used with traditional building 
techniques by master craftsmen. 
It is well established that using traditional building 
materials– stone, earth, bamboo, timber, brick– our 
forefathers built splendid structures, from modest residences 
in wonderful cities to grand palaces, monasteries, temples, 
tombs, stupas, amongst others. For anyone who bothers to 
compare buildings built only a few decades ago to what 
is mushrooming in Indian cities today, it is not easy to 
understand how our design and craft capabilities were lost 
within a few years of materials such as 
cement, steel, and glass becoming easily 
available. In the shift from the traditional 
to the ‘cheap’ modern, we have lost 
architectural craft skills that had the 
capability of creating millions of man-
days of employment while ensuring that 
our cities had both a unique identity as 
well as a higher quality of life. 
Conservation effort requires 
craftsmen using traditional materials, 
tools and building techniques and can 
also become a significant employer. 
The Archaeological Survey of 
India is taking several steps to 
ensure long term, sustainable 
preservation of our nation’s 
heritage in a manner that is based 
on increased awareness amongst 
the public of the significance 
of our heritage and increased 
involvement of civil society in the 
preservation effort.
The 90-acre Sunder Nursery Park attracted over 700,000 visitors in 2021. With six UNESCO World heritage structures, 30 acres of wilderness zone, 
and facilities like amphitheater, children play zones situated here, the park is one of the top tourist attractions of Delhi.
YOJANA   December 2022 21
Unlike the West, we in India are fortunate 
that our craft traditions have survived to 
the present times, and it is recommended 
an emphasis on a craft-based approach 
to conservation as well as modern public 
buildings. With stone carvers, plasterers, 
masons, carpenters, bricklayers, who 
take great pride in replicating the 
work of their forefathers, being at the 
forefront of building conservation the 
design intention of the original builders 
will be respected and the understanding 
of significance and interest in our 
built heritage amongst visitors will be 
retained. The craftsmen should also 
once again become stakeholders in 
the preservation effort and continue to 
impart traditional skills to their future 
generations who are moving to other 
trades in large numbers.  
India’s national monuments are 
irreplaceable and significant asset for 
the nation and its people with associated 
emotional, religious, economical, 
historic, architectural and archaeological values amongst 
others. These assets are however under threat from the 
pressures of urbanisation. To achieve conservation and 
development objectives, different agencies of the government 
need to partner with academic institutes/civil society and 
local communities. It has already been demonstrated that any 
resources invested in such an endeavour leads to multiple 
returns as well as fulfilling multiple government objectives. 
Several of our monuments stand amidst dense urban 
inhabitation in our many historic cities. Also, often the 
communities residing around monuments in these dense 
urban centres are poor and often 
deprived of even the most basic 
urban infrastructure. The success of 
the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal has 
demonstrated a model approach for 
community-based conservation. Not 
only have several protected monuments 
in the dense Hazrat Nizamuddin 
Basti undergone conservation but the 
conservation effort has been coupled with 
providing education, health services, 
vocational training to create economic 
opportunities for local youth and 
women, sanitation, urban improvements 
including landscaping neighbourhood 
parks and street improvements, revival 
of a 700-year living culture centred 
around Sufism and Qawwali, creating 
performance spaces, amongst other 
aspects. It is hoped that the community 
of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti will now 
play a pivotal role in the preservation of 
the built heritage that stands amidst their 
neighbourhood and that conservation/ 
culture can be used a tool for development in several other 
similar historic urban areas of India. 
For the Nizamuddin model for ‘Conservation led 
Development’ to be replicated requires significant public-
private partnership with NGO’s, Resident Welfare 
Associations, grant making organisations, corporate sectors, 
Municipal Councils/Corporations to come together with 
a long-term vision. The initiative has global lessons but 
has been possible with a multi-disciplinary team creating 
customised, contextual and local solutions all aimed at 
improving the quality of life for inhabitants with heritage 
assets restored and well taken care of. 
At many of popular sites, the need for Museums/ 
Interpretation Centres either located within existing 
buildings or in new sensitively designed structures, is 
now strongly felt. In order to enhance visitor experience 
and attract younger generation of visitors to major sites 
or ensembles of monuments state-of-art displays using 
new media are planned. Examples from across the world 
demonstrate that significant modern architecture can 
revitalise the economy and generate major visitor interest in 
heritage sites. At present the Aga Khan Trust for Culture is 
engaged in building museums at both the Humayun’s Tomb 
as well as the Qutub Shahi Tombs at Golconda, Hyderabad; 
the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has provided 
funds for both these projects.
Conservation and development should go hand-in-
hand, but conservation interest must remain paramount 
if any such development is to be sustainable in 
perpetuity.                                                                ?
The success of the 
Nizamuddin Urban Renewal 
has demonstrated a model 
approach for community-based 
conservation. Not only have 
several protected monuments in 
the dense Hazrat Nizamuddin 
Basti undergone conservation 
but the conservation effort has 
been coupled with providing 
education, health services, 
vocational training to create 
economic opportunities for local 
youth and women, sanitation, 
urban improvements revival of 
a 700-year living culture centred 
around Sufism and Qawwali, 
creating performance spaces, 
amongst other aspects. 
View of the 14th-century Nizamudding Baoli, which is set amidst historical 
monuments all around. A major urban conservation programme was 
undertaken here, after its collapse in July 2008 where apart from the 
conservation of this structure and over 10 monuments in the complex, Basti 
youth were trained to conduct heritage walks in the area.
YOJANA   December 2022 23
The Big Temple of Thanjavur (Tanjore) is a stunning monument that speaks volumes about the 
architectural mastery of the Chola era. This Shiva temple is home to one of the largest Shiva 
Lingas of the country. A majestic Nandi (bull) stands guard over the temple. This is the second 
largest Nandi in India and is carved out of a single stone. The temple is recognised as a part of 
the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Everything about this temple is big, majestic. No wonder it is 
referred as Brihadeeshwara or The Big Temple.
he ancient city of Thanjavur (Tanjore) is the cultural capital of the Kaveri delta region. The city and its 
cultural legacy are the end product of three vibrant kingdoms that have ruled this part of Tamil Nadu over the 
past millennium– the Cholas, the Vijayanagar, and the Maratta kings. Of these three, the Cholas take credit for 
identifying the town as a potential political capital when it was captured by Vijayalaya Cholas early in the 9th 
century. From then on, his successors were busy expanding the monarch’s boundary in all possible directions. Rajaraja-I, 
who was engaged in several military expeditions, should have been inspired by the fine temple architecture patronised by 
the Pallavas and other predecessors. His ancestors, who have been devout Saivites have contributed to the development of 
many popular temples of Siva, and should have also inspired him. So, it is only natural for Rajaraja-I to take upon himself 
this mammoth task of constructing what probably should have been the grandest humble offering to Siva.
The temple complex measuring about 244 metres on the east-west and 122 metres north-south is placed inside what is 
referred to as Sivagangai little fort. This fortification is an addition taken over during the renovation by Sevappa Nayaka 
around 17
th
 century. There is also a moat running around this fortification which we cross as we enter the temple complex. 
A well-decorated arched entranceway built during Maratta period welcomes us with various deities fixed as stucco images. 
As we pass the Maratta entrance, we are welcomed by a classic Rajaraja period gopuram named as Keralanthakakan 
Thiruvasal measuring 29.25 metres X 17.4 metres. 
This 5-tiered gopuram has a cellular ambulatory 
on either side. Sixty metres from here is the second 
gopuram called as Rajarajan Thiruvasal. On the 
eastern side of this gopuram are massive monolithic 
dwarapalakkas or door guardians. Also, the stone 
base of this gopuram has bas-relief panels depicting 
episodes from puranas. On entering this gopuram the 
visitor is treated with an aesthetically pleasing grand 
panorama of the Sri Vimanam and the sub-shrines. All 
around the circumference of the compound wall, two-
storeyed cloistered halls had been constructed to be 
used as multipurpose space. There are sub-shrines built 
in between these cloistered halls housing shrines for 
the ashtadikpalaka (deities guarding the 8 directions), 
Ganesha, and the temple yagasalai.
Brihadeeshwara Temple – A Stand-Alone Marvel
Madhusudhanan Kalaichelvan
temPLe ARchItectURe The author is an architect who is an expert on temple architecture and is on several committees constituted by the central and state 
government on temple conservation. Email: madhu.kalai0324@gmail.com
T
24 YOJANA   December 2022
On the southwest corner is the shrine of Ganesha, 
built during the times of Sarabhoji II. The shrine built 
during the times of Rajaraja, mentioned in the inscription 
as Parivara-Alayattu Pillaiyar was vandalised and hence 
the Maratta king built a new structure for him. This shrine 
is visually balanced by the shrine of Subrahmanya on the 
northwest corner built during the 17
th
 century CE. This is an 
extremely ornate sculptural gallery that houses Murugan or 
Subhramanya along with his consorts Valli and Devasena. 
The columns, the pilasters, and the kudus running around 
the lintel speak about the fine craftsmanship of the Nayaka 
artisan. The door guardians of this shrine, sculpted out of 
a very shining granite stone, and the stone tub installed to 
collect ablution water are noteworthy for their workmanship. 
The pillared hall in front of this shrine has portrait paintings 
of the royal members of the Maratta kings. 
To the north of the sanctum sanctorum is a neatly 
finished Chola period shrine dedicated to Chandikeshwara. 
With a front hall, an ardha mandapa and a detailed vimana, 
this is one of the well-designed shrines for Chandikeshwarar, 
officially the chief accountant of a Siva temple. Interestingly, 
the donations made to the temple and the endowments created 
for various activities in the temple have been documented as 
long-running detailed inscriptions by the king himself. The 
first inscription starts on the wall opposite this shrine. 
The shrine of Devi Parvathi is situated on the northern 
side of the main campus. Revered by the devotees as 
Brihannayaki, Periya Nayakior Ulagam Muzhudhudaiyal, the shrine for the Goddess as the consort of Brihadeeshwara 
was built during the 13
th
 century by the Pandya kings. A single-tiered vimana on a low raised plinth and sill was later 
extended with a front mandapa. The ceiling and the walls of this shrine have paintings done during the Maratta period. 
Sri Vimanam
K A Nilakanta Sastri observes, “the temple is the finest monument of a splendid period of south Indian history and the 
most beautiful specimen of Tamil Architecture at its best, remarkable for its stupendous proportions and for the simplicity 
of its design.” This is understood when the visitor stands humbly in front of the Sri Vimana and thinks for a moment about 
the power of bhakthi. The number of mountains 
that Rajaraja has turned in to achieve this great 
feat puts us through a stumbling emotional 
tunnel. 
The vimana stands on a square base 
measuring 29 metres.  The proportioning of 
the successive tiers of the vimana is the reason 
behind the visually appealing appearance of 
the structure. The 13-storeyed, 66 metres 
tall pyramidal vimana is corrugated with 
appropriate motifs, design features, and 
sculptures of various deities. The pinnacle is 
a spherical dome-like shikhara, on which sits 
the 12-feet tall gold-plated kalasam. There is 
a common belief that the spherical stone on 
top is a monolith weighing 88 tons, carried on 
top by a ramp built from a distance. However, 
the fact stays that it is not a single stone but 
An equally interesting feature of the temple is the huge monolithic Nandi, the sacred bull, in front 
of the main shrine. The pavilion on which the Nandi sits is by itself a later-period addition.