International legacy Day: A initiative to preserve the legacy of Amritsar is announced by INTACH
Beyond the well-known tourist destinations, Amritsar’s constructed history is progressively disappearing. The architectural legacy of the walled city is progressively being overtaken by increasing urbanization, whether they were once magnificent havelis from the Misl era or the ruins of the opulent residences of Marwari merchants.
The INTACH Punjab chapter has launched an initiative to identify and catalog built heritage, including monuments and buildings to be placed under repair cover. This is in contrast to previous governments that have failed to provide a long-term solution or to launch any kind of strategy for restoring these structures.
Our long-term objective has been to save Amritsar’s constructed and intangible cultural legacy, as well as those of the surrounding areas. This was a historically significant seat on a political, economic, and cultural level; many such unnamed heritage buildings need to be preserved. Future generations would never know or experience their legacy if we did not take action today, according to Col. Balwinder Singh, head of the INTACH Punjab Chapter.
A ground-level identification, cataloging, and documentation of the historic buildings in Amritsar, Taran Tarn, and Ajnala will be started by INTACH. These will eventually be made available for study and repair via publication in a gazette.
Commercialization inside the walled city also made it possible for several ancient buildings to be demolished quickly.
Experts think that everything may not have been lost, even if worried authorities have been holding off on preparations for the preservation and repair of such monuments.
Amritsar nevertheless retains remnants of its illustrious past, such as its intricate street layout and medieval mohallas that serve as unique examples of intangible cultural heritage. There are many reasons why the walled city is losing its identity, but neglect and significant land-use changes—particularly from residential to hotel and commercial—are the main culprits.
“We and the municipal corporation should take the lead on World Heritage Day to establish the notion of listed buildings, which will be a helpful step for starting repair. Establishing a heritage cell, which will be in charge of identifying the constructed heritage inside the walled city, is another crucial step, according to Prof. Balvinder Singh, a conservation specialist and former department chair at the Guru Ramdass School of Architecture and Planning, GNDU.
