Our Heritage Buildings

A couple of weeks ago, the authorities pulled down one of the oldest buildings in Guwahati, that being one block of the Guwahati Circuit House, which is said to have been constructed more than 100 years ago. Much earlier, the authorities had also demolished another very old building of Guwahati, that being a double-storeyed structure inside the Raj Bhavan premises, which once belonged to the now-defunct River Steam Navigation Company, and had apparently survived the great earthquake of 1897. Decades ago, the government had also demolished the administrative building of Cotton College, one which had stood there for over 70 years, shaping thousands of young minds of generations of people from across the region. Guwahati, said to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the country after Banaras, does not have any law or rule that provides for the conservation of old buildings – especially those which have historical value. A few more houses that have been standing majestically in the heart of Guwahati – and which can be pulled down any moment the government or the authorities concerned feel like removing them to make way for concrete structures – include several bungalows which serve as residences of the Chief Justice and other judges of the Gauhati High Court, the Narayani Handique Institute of Antiquarian Studies building, three or four blocks of Cotton College (now Cotton University) and so on. There are also a few private buildings, both on the eastern side of the Latasil Playground that can be described as heritage structures that tell so many stories about Guwahati’s past, as well as several chapters of Assam’s politics, art, culture, sports and so on. One of which was the residence of Assam’s second chief minister Bishnuram Medhi (now called Bishnu-Nirmala Bhavan, which has an auditorium, a small library and a children’s recreational centre). The other one belongs to the Barua family which has produced a number of legendary filmmakers, music directors and singers like Brajen Barua, Nip Barua, Girin Barua, Dwibon Barua, Ramen Barua and Dwipen Barua.

Across the globe, civilized countries preserve and conserve buildings that have architectural significance and historical values. That exactly is why there has been a constant pressure and public opinion across Assam to conserve the house that Sahityarathi Lakshminath Bezbaroa had built in Sambalpur in Odisha and had spent some of his most creative years that immensely contributed towards development of modern Assamese literature and language. There is also a strong public opinion in favour of conserving the house in Tollygunj in Kolkata where Bhupen Hazarika had spent the best and most creative decades of his life. A couple of years ago, the authorities had almost pulled down the statue of Mahatma Gandhi that stands beside the Gandhi Mandap atop the Sarania Hills, but for strong public opinion whipped up by a section of conscious citizens. A senior IAS officer, a former Union minister and a member of the present Assam Legislative Assembly had gone on record saying the Gandhi statue looked ‘ugly’, little knowing that it was a great piece of art of none other than the legendary Ram Kinkar Baij. The government, whose various wings and departments have become experts in demolishing several such old buildings and structures, however have displayed some wisdom – and praiseworthy decision – to conserve the old Deputy Commissioner’s Bungalow atop the Barphukanor Tila, the hillock which once had the official residence of Lachit Barphukan. It is now being converted as a museum that will tell the 5000-year-old story of Guwahati. If one remembers correctly, the Deputy Commissioner’s office building in Jorhat was almost pulled down, had it been for the British authorities in London who sent a letter to the Government of Assam detailing its heritage qualities.

All big cities in the country, barring Guwahati, have laws and rules to protect, preserve and conserve heritage buildings. In most cities it is the local municipal corporation which carries out documentation of such structures by engaging experts – archaeologists, conservationists, historians, assisted by departmental engineers - and classifies them into different grades. A look at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act of 1980 will reveal how the authorities in the city to Guwahati have defined heritage buildings. Section (42A) of the said Act said “heritage building means any building of one or more premises, or any part thereof, which requires preservation and conservation for historical, architectural, environmental or ecological purpose and includes such portion of the land adjoining such building or any part thereof as may be required for fencing or covering or otherwise preserving such building and also includes the areas and buildings requiring preservation and conservation for the purpose.” West Bengal on the other hand has certain provisions in the West Bengal Town and Country (Planning and Development) Act, 1979, which reinforce the very idea, concept and need to preserve and conserve heritage buildings. There is a strong need for such legal provisions in Assam too – and needed urgently. While the citizens should demand such a laws, the legislators of the state too should press the government for such provisions. The Gauhati High Court too can probably examine the matter, especially because several such buildings are under its jurisdiction and ownership too.

Also Read: Charaideo Maidams: Central Panel To Study Feasibility of According ‘World Heritage Site’ Tag