Post on 15-Oct-2020
MADHYA PRADESH MONUMENTS PROJECT
(Government of Madhya Pradesh, Department of Culture & World Monuments Fund Partnership)
CONSERVATION OF JAHANGIR MAHAL, ORCHHA
Detailed Project Report(DPR) Volume-I
Conservation Plan
Financial Year 2012-2013
Submitted by
• 1 • WORLDlit MONUMENTS�
��11 .... FUND
December 2013
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Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 History and Background1.2 Location and Setting
2. Description of Property
2.1 Spatial Description2.2 Architectural components2.2.1 Internal decorative features2.2.2 External decorative features2.3 Art Components2.4 Elevations
3. History and Development
3.1 Historical Layering3.2 Material Extant3.2.1 Historic materials3.2.2 Non-historic materials3.2.3 Materials of High Value and Special Skills
4. Condition Assessment and Analysis
4.1 Condition, Risk and Value Assessment Matrix
5. Recommendatory Policies and Guidelines
5.1 Policies5.2 Guidelines
List of IllustrationsAnnexure -1
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Project Team
Neeraj BhagatConservation Architect
Ajaydeep Singh JamwalConservation Architect
Madhushree JaltareArchitect
Shivangi ShuklaArchitect
Swapna KothariConservation Intern
Specialist Consultants:
M/S Art Conservation SolutionsArt Conservation Consultant
M/s Sakshi Project ConsultancyTotal Station Survey
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Detailed Project Report (DPR), Vol- I, Jahangir Mahal, Orchha
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1. Introduction
Jahangir Mahal is a medieval palace-fort, located in the monument island of Orchha. The monument is a square planned, three-storied structure with a large central courtyard. At each of its four corners, lay a circular bastion surmounted by a dome. Two rows of balconies supported on brackets run along the length of each of its external elevation. These balconies are closed in with fine screens of pierced red sandstone jaali works. Above, the roof is crowned by eight large fluted domes with smaller domes or chattris between them and connected by an ornamented balustrade (kangooras). The monument exhibits a fine combination of massive strength through its sheer scale coupled with delicate ornamentation in the form of fine jaali work and painted surfaces on its facades.
1.1. History and Background
Jahangir mahal was mainly built by Raja Bir Singh Deo (1605-27), in the honour of Mughal emperor Jahangir. Opinions are, however, divided over whether Jahangir ever visited or stayed in the said palace. Today the monument is one of the finest surviving specimens of Bundela architecture.
Image 1.1- Jahangir Mahal as seen from the north-east corner, from the banks of the Betwa River; Source- Lala Deen Dayal 1882-56 ‘Curzon Collection’
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Detailed Project Report (DPR), Vol- I, Jahangir Mahal, Orchha
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1.2 Location and Setting
Jahangir Mahal is located on the fortified monument island approached via a causeway, a 14-arched bridge, or adhwaya as known earlier, over the Betwa River close to the Orchha town centre.Upon entering the main gateway of the fort, moving towards the eastern side along the Raja Mahal andcrossing a few flights of steps in between; a paved and large open space is seen; on the north of which isthe Sheesh Mahal and on the east lies the Jahangir Mahal.
The original main entrance of the structure would have been the monumental eastern gateway through a flight of steps and a high plinth but is presently accessed from the western side passing the Sheesh Mahal forecourt.
Image 1.2- Location of the Mahal on the island; Source- Google Earth
2. Description of Property
2.1 Spatial Description
A colossal structure, the palace is basically square in plan with each side measuring sixty-sevenmeters with polygonal/round battered bastions at each corner. Projecting corridors with intricately carved stone jaalis adorning its external perimeter along the north, east and south facades break its monotony at the ground and first floors.
The internal space is arranged around a central courtyard, measuring thirty two by thirty two meters, and is two chambers deeps on each bay/two bays deep on each side. This arrangement of the massing allows more chambers than the earlier palace. The courtyard has a fountain at the centre and one at each of its four corners on a slightly raised platform. A colonnaded corridor lies on the north western side of the court.
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Detailed Project Report (DPR), Vol- I, Jahangir Mahal, Orchha
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S. No Element Location1. Decorative wooden doors Ground Floor Internal courtyard2. Arched niches on walls Rooms at ground, first, second floors, Internal courtyard 3. Dome supported by squinches Second Floor Rooms5. Decorative column bases and
capitalsChhatris at terrace, second floor , first floor levels ,Projections at Mezzanine levels 1&2 on all four elevations
6. Carved stone brackets Internal Courtyard on Ground , first , second levels , Exterior elevations supporting projecting corridors
7. Elephant shaped stone pegs First floor rooms8. Intricate stone and terracotta
jaalisProjecting corridors on all exterior elevations
9. Decorative plaster work Ceiling of Second floor, first floor , Ground floor rooms.Cornices in internal elevations
10. Decorative stone work East elevation gateway, projecting corridors on east elevation
11. Pointed shouldered arched openings with floral motifs at its key
first floor courtyards
12. Pointed shouldered arched profiles with floral motifs at its key
In first floor rooms
13. Decorative vaulted ceilings First floor rooms ceiling14. Decorative stone work on
ceilingsGround floor rooms ceiling
15. Cornices with patti pattern in plaster
All rooms on ground, first, second level, All internal courtyard elevations
16. Glazed tile work Below chhatris, on domes on terrace level,Walls on first floor courtyard, chhatris
17. Wall paintings (frescos) Rooms on ground floor, between brackets supporting chajja on ground floor, between brackets supporting chajja at terrace level below domes.East elevation betwee brackets, below brackets at ground floor level
2.2.1 Internal decorative features
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CONDITION ASSESSMENT
Building : Space General State of Conservation
Jahangir Mahal- Ground floor- North Wing rooms (BC1to KL1 & BC2 to KL2)
D P M G
Material Extant
Value
Stone masonry with lime plaster; H M L
Lime concrete flooring ; H M L
Art work: Wall and ceiling paintings visible in BC1-2, CD1-2, KL1; H M L
Paintings above niches in CD2 H M L
CONDITION ASSESSMENT
Building : Space General State of Conservation
Jahangir Mahal- Basement D P M G
Material Extant
Value
Stone masonry with lime plaster; lime wash on ceilings and walls in AB7-8 H M L
Lime concrete flooring, Rough plaster in ceiling and walls H M L
Terracotta pipes in ceilings in central rooms FG4-6, GH4, GH6, HI4-5-6 H M L
Issue/Observation Condition Description/ Causes Risk Priority
1. Incompatible Repair
Electrical conduit all over, but not in working condition and switches broken at places
H M L U N D
2. Inappropriate Additions
Wood logs in AB8 at lintel level of north-south wall to suspend fan H M L U N D
3. Damaged Plaster
Masonry exposed in walls/ in patches in almost all rooms H M L U N D
Plaster patches seen in almost all rooms H M L U N D
Plaster cracks seen in BC9, CD9(at lintel of opening), in JK9 &KL9 from ceiling centre till opposite corners(NE-SW)
H M L U N D
Wall and plaster flaking with minor cracks visible in AB7-8 H M L U N D
Masonry exposed slightly in AB7 on north , east and west wall H M L U N D
4. Seepage Stains
Seepage visible on IJ1,FG7, GH7 AND EF7 north walls, in EF6 east wall and in EF5 south west wall corner (lie along path of supposed drainage on ground floor )
H M L U N D
In IJ9 south wall H M L U N D
5. Dampness
Ceiling ,wall and floor exhibit major dampness in DF4 due to water cooler above
H M L U N D
Wall dampness in DF3(and ceiling), in FG5-6, GH5-6, HI5 H M L U N D
Flooring wet in GH5(stones on floor) H M L U N D
On ceiling and east walls of IJ4-5-6 H M L U N D
6. Rising Damp Visible in, GH4-5-6, HI4-5, IJ4-5-6 H M L U N D
7. Leakage Visible through ceiling on west wall in HI5, in north-east corner wall of FG5 H M L U N D
From terracotta pipes in FG6 and GH6 H M L U N D
8. Damaged Flooring
GH4, IJ4-5-6 due to water H M L U N D
9. Damaged Structure
Bottom portion of South wall in DF4 has completely eroded H M L U N D
Holes in Ceiling in IJ4 &IJ6 H M L U N D
10. Surface crack
Visible in KL7in middle of ceiling from east to west side H M L U N D
10. Blocked water outlet
On floor in IJ9 south west corner H M L U N D
11. Soot deposit On north wall of KL3 and in JK7, IJ9 H M L U N D
12. Algae on surface
On central room-GH5 floor(stones) and walls H M L U N D
Notes: Bats on ceilings of all rooms, floors have excessive sand of earlier repair works DO NOT C
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Crack opening to niches), on right side niche of BD7 court,
On staircase wall, on third door arch from left on ground floor, under second floor parapet on left corner
H M L U N D
4. Seepage Stains
Under brackets (4places) of first floor narrow walkway; H M L U N D
5. Erosion/pulverization of Plaster
Erosion visible on staircase wall edges and near door just besides water cooler H M L U N D
On both sides of BD3 court’s openings, junction of BD3 court and central wall
H M L U N D
6. Loss/Obliteration of Art work
Fading paintings beside elephant brackets due to aging and also lime plaster repair
H M L U N D
Blue tile work missing on both sides of terrace floor and first floor courts kangooras
H M L U N D
Stucco work deteriorating/ fading between brackets under dome of second floor central room
H M L U N D
7. Loss of Coping Over Chajjas
Minor crack visible on ground floor chajja with slight deterioration H M L U N D
8. Rising Damp
On staircase wall and behind due to water cooler H M L U N D
9. Broken/Missing element
Shifting parapet floor slab H M L U N D
6th Bracket from right under first floor walkway has multiple cracks and is deteriorating fast
H M L U N D
3rd Bracket from right under first floor walkway broken at bottom H M L U N D
Second floor court parapet (to left of chhatri) has holes in it, right side first floor parapet has a crack in it
H M L U N D
10. Damaged Plaster
Under kangooras on right side of BD3 court wall H M L U N D
11. Algae over Surface
On dome surface and on wall under spouts of second floor court, on chajja and wall surface near spouts below first floor walkway and on terrace floor kangooras
H M L U N D
12. Soot deposit/efflorescence
On parapets of first floor chhatris(both levels)and second floor chhatri ; Soot deposit at base of ground floor wall near doors
H M L U N D
Notes:
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CONDITION ASSESSMENT
Chhatris General State of Conservation
Jahangir Mahal: Terrace floor: C/TF/N/1 D P M G
Material Extant
Value Red sandstone columns, base, chajja, parapet and finial elements; sandstone dome
H M L
Lime punning/plaster on columns H M L
Art work: Stucco work above chajja and on dome H M L
Blue tile work on base where Kangooras are constructed H M L
Issue/Observation
Condition Description/ Causes Risk Priority
1. Stone column split/crack
Visible in column 4, from capital to base H M L U N D
2. Stone chipped/broken off
Column 1 and 4 exhibit slight stone chipping near capitals while Column 2 and column 3 exhibit chipping from capital
H M L U N D
3. Damaged/Dislodged Chajja
Corner chajjas missing above column 2 H M L U N D
4. Loss of Coping Over Chajja
Near missing chajjas above column 2 H M L U N D
5. Broken/Missing element
Petals on final broken on outer edge H M L U N D
6. Damaged Plaster/punning
Flaking on all columns H M L U N D
7. Stucco Work Eroding
Missing/ never existed on dome and its base H M L U N D
8. Algae over surface
Dry algae visible on dome surface H M L U N D
CONDITION ASSESSMENT
Chhatris General State of Conservation
Jahangir Mahal: Terrace floor: C/TF/N/2 D P M G
Material Extant
Value Red sandstone columns, base, chajja, parapet and finial elements; sandstone dome
H M L
Lime punning/plaster on columns H M L
Art work: Stucco work above chajja and on dome H M L
Plaster detailing on column base H M L
Blue tile work on base where Kangooras are constructed H M L
Issue/Observation
Condition Description/ Causes Risk Priority
1. Stone column split/crack
Visible in column 4, from capital to base and in Column 1 from area that is chipped to base; slight cracking visible in inner parapet wall between column 3 and 4-in middle and near column 3
H M L U N D
2. Stone chipped/broken off
Column 1 stone chipped off near capital H M L U N D
3. Loss of Coping Over Chajja
Above columns 1 and 3 and on corner above column 2 H M L U N D
4. Broken/Missing element
Petals on final broken on outer edge H M L U N D
5. Damaged Flaking on all columns H M L U N D
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CONDITION ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
Building: Jahangir Mahal
Priority Issue Area
Urgent
Chipped and Broken Stone
In chhatris- C/TF/S/1, C/TF/W/1-2-3-4-5, C/SF/N/1, C/SF/S/1, C/FF-UL/E/1, C/FF-UL/S/2, C/FF-LL/N/1, C/FF-LL/E/1, C/FF-LL/W/2
On second floor AB4-5-6 rooms
Splits/Cracks in Stone
In chhatris- C/TF/E/2, C/TF/S/1-2, C/TF/W/1-2-3-4, C/FF-UL/E/1, C/FF-UL/E/2, C/FF-UL/S/2, C/FF-LL/E/2, C/FF-LL/W/2
On second floor AB4-5-6 rooms
Damaged/ Dislodged Chajjas
On chhatris- C/TF/N/1, C/TF/S/1, C/FF-UL/W/2, C/FF-LL/W/2, C/SF/S/1, C/FF-UL/E/1, C/FF-UL/S/1, C/FF-UL/S/2, C/FF-LL/N/1,
Corner of chajjas on central projecting room and first floor S1
South east corner of first floorJL7 court
North-east corner of chajja broken above KL9 room
Inner left chhatri on BC5 dome base
On external west elevation-left jharokha
Water retention/water drainage(water cooler area), causing : -Erosion in limeplaster -Dampness
On west wings staircase wall and in wall just besides the cooler In floors and walls of ground floor DE3 Basement-DF4,
Damaged flooring In narrow walkway on first floor-lime concrete eroded
Floor slab sloping in west wing narrow walkway (outside BD7)
Damaged Structure
Missing roof in North side mezzanine’s N1 and N2
Mezzanine N1 in north wing exhibits structural crack in south east corner with main wall
Hole in domes of chhatri C/TF/E/2 & South-west corner dome above room BC9, GH9 dome
First floor projecting corridor N2 wall broken and ceiling missing
Exposed masonry In north side on mezzanine level rooms N1 and N2
Broken or missing jaalis
In first floor projecting corridor S1
North wall jaali in north wing mezzanine N1
On second floor, in GH1-north opening
Rising Damp/Dampness
Seen on walls near Bastion 4
Drainage issue on ground floor, causing Dampness/Leakage
In basement rooms- DF3, FG5-6,GH5-6,HI5 - Floor of GH5- IJ4-5-6 (due to holes in courtyard floor)
Inadequate slope/blocked outlet/ in first floor courts, slope/flooring damaged
In ground floor rooms DF1-2, IJ1-2,JK7, KL7 In ground floor rooms JK3&7,KL3&7, DF8, BC8-9, CD3&7, BC3 all jaali-enclosed corridors
Leaking roof In first floor projecting corridors N1 & N2, E1 & E3,S1,S3, W1
All second floor courts outlets are blocked(trash or extra silt/sand)- causing seepage stains in first floor rooms and courts
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Desirable
Loss/Obliteration of Paintings
Ceilings of rooms; On external elevation-bands of paintings under ground floor projecting corridors -refer from Condition Matrix Tables
Missing Art Work Blue tiles on dome bases of chhatris and rooms along with ones on first floor court walls refer from Condition Matrix Tables
Incompatible repair
Lime plaster repair patches on walls and ceilings of rooms and internal court walls and external elevation walls
Cement plaster patches on north and south external wall
Algae, Soot cleaning Visible at many locations, refer Condition Matrix Tables for exact locations, other than those already specified
Stucco work On domes of chhatris and rooms; DE3 colonnaded corridor
Exposed Masonry On external elevation walls- under/between brackets and on bastion under ground floor projecting corridors and for others refer Condition Matrix Tables
Damaged Flooring Wear and tear of flooring on ground, first and second floors
Broken/missing elements Various elements refer from Condition Matrix Tables
Vegetation growth Refer Condition Matrix Tables
Coping/Plaster missing on Chajjas
C/B/1-2-3-4
Second floor jaali-enclosed corridors in west, north, east wings
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