INTACH Journal of Heritage Studies

INTACH Journal of Heritage Studies

About the Journal

The INTACH Journal of Heritage Studies is a peer-reviewed journal first published in 2015 as a critical step towards INTACH’s mission of sensitising the public about the pluralistic nature of Indian culture. It aims to provide a novel space for academic expression for experts, emerging scholars and researchers, thereby fostering intellectual dialogue and discussion on all matters concerning Indian heritage. Additionally, it is meant to serve as a catalyst for promoting critical thinking and debate over the meaning of heritage and its relevance to society at large.

ISSN Number: 2395-6909

RNI Title Code: DELENG19906

Editorial Advisory Board

Dr. Alessio Re

Secretary General, Fondazione Santagata for the Economics of Culture

Dr. Louise Cooke

Director of Studies, MA International Conservation Studies and MA Conservation of Historic Buildings University of York

Dr. Manish Chalana

Professor, Urban Design and Planning, University of Washington; Director, Historic Preservation Graduate School Certificate; Co-Director, Center for Preservation and Adaptive Reuse (CPAR)

Dr. Neel Kamal Chapagain

Professor, Heritage Management, Ahmedabad University

Dr. Priyaleen Singh

Head of Department, Department of Architectural Conservation School of Planning and Architecture

Dr. Rima Hooja

Director, Maharaja Sawai Singh II Museum

Prof. Shiela Bora

INTACH Assam State Convener; Visiting Faculty, Gauhati University

Call for Papers

Theme: Conserving Culturally Significant Places in India

As the milestone of the 'INTACH Charter' turning 20 approaches this November, it provides an opportunity to reflect on how the idea and practice of conserving culturally significant places has evolved in India over the last two decades.

We invite academics as well as practitioners to submit papers for the upcoming issue of the INTACH Journal which aims to reflect on the evolving practices of heritage conservation, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities in India.

Key Dates

  • Abstract Submission Deadline: October 21, 2024
  • Confirmation of Selected Abstracts: November 8, 2024
  • Draft Paper Submission: December 6, 2024

Join us in fostering intellectual dialogue and contributing to the future of conservation in India!

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Latest Issue

IJHS Volume 5, Issue 2 – 2024

The 2024 issue of the INTACH Journal of Heritage Studies (IJHS) Volume 5, Issue 2, explores the theme ‘Heritage and Ecology’, where 'heritage' encompasses architectural, intangible cultural and natural resources of significance, while 'ecology' refers to the relationship between living beings and their physical as well as socio-cultural environment. This issue of IJHS comprises five papers, a book review and a photo essay, exploring the various facets of the relationship between communities and heritage, where nature and culture are intertwined.

The global conversation increasingly focusses on heritage and climate change, and nature-culture linkages, with intersections such as climate change affecting cultural landscapes, traditional knowledge systems and sacred sites, causing disruptions and biodiversity loss. However, traditional knowledge systems play a crucial role in mitigating climate change, and efforts are required to integrate these systems into conservation initiatives. Additionally, it is also crucial to adopt sustainable heritage management and environmentally sustainable practices to safeguard the delicate balance between nature, culture and heritage amidst the environmental challenges. This issue aims to enhance the understanding of heritage and ecology, promoting a holistic conservation approach for the current and future generations.

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List of Papers

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Nature Conservation

Tim Badman

Living By a Changing Sea:Experiential knowledge of fisherson the Munambam Coast, Kerala

Sreeja KG

The indigenous technical knowledge of the fishers is facing grave challenges inthis warming world. Though it has been observed that communities respondto such large-scale changes to the climate and their lived world throughcollaborative responses that leads to adaptation, fishers on the MalabarCoast are struggling to make sense of these rapid and uncertain changes.Fish distributions, timing and abundance of fish catches have also changed.Climate change and warming oceans are severely limiting the number of daysthe fishers can go out into the sea. The distances the fishers have to travelfor a catch have increased, leading to a rise in the number of accidents atthe sea, as they venture into unknown waters. In the recent years, fishershave found it difficult to predict fish availability and climatic events due tounforeseen changes in the nature of seasons and the sea. Ocean current,windpatterns and other climate parameters have changed beyond the limitsof their traditional knowledge and they are struggling to make sense of thenew normal. The study witnessed significant changes to the life world andthe traditional knowledge on the seas of the fishing communities along thecentral Malabar Coast, who engage in fishing activity in the rapidly warmingwestern Indian Ocean.

Keywords: hereditary knowledge,Lakshadweep Sea,Malabar Coast,climate change

Assessing Socio-Economic Values of Temple Sacred Groves in Kannur, Kerala

Anjali Sreekumar

Sacred groves in Kerala are small portions of land left behind by ancestorsupon clearance of forest land for agricultural purpose. Each sacred grove hasa very unique myth and belief system associated to it. Due to various socialreforms, most of the sacred groves are either on the verge of extinction or arealready extinct. The significance of sacred groves is not confined to religiousvalue in Kerala, but has been closely interlinked to the social lives of peopleand also carries an ecological value. It represents a part of the WesternGhats, a region known for its rich biodiversity, as well as diverse array ofindigenous plant species. This study intends to conduct a comprehensivesocio-economic evaluation of all the attributes associated with a sacredgrove. The study has been confined to the temple sacred groves in KannurDistrict of Kerala. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment has been usedto understand the ecosystem services and Total Economic Framework toevaluate the economic value of the sacred grove.Further, Q-methodologyhas been used to ascertain the perspective of the stakeholders concerningconservation initiatives related to sacred groves.

Keywords: sacred grove, Kannur,biodiversity, value assessment

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Biodeterioration of Heritage Structures: Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Hasthsal Minar, Delhi

Sumesh N Dudani

Biodeterioration of cultural heritage, including physical and chemicaldeterioration, caused by various groups of organisms remains a constantchallenge worldwide, including India. Despite there being some importantstudies on this aspect in India, not many studies have been carried out forDelhi. Hence, this study comes as first of its kind wherein the deteriorationimpacts of various groups such as flowering plants, bryophytes and lichenson two selected heritage structures of Delhi are enumerated. The higher growth of these organisms and more prevalent deterioration impacts arevisible in MehrauliArchaeological Park as compared to Hasthsal Minar. Thechief attributes for this are changes in land use pattern of the study region,which in turn impacts the microclimatic conditions. With drastic changes in climatic conditions and weather fluctuations, these deterioration impacts arebound to become more disastrous in coming times, if urgent conservationstrategies are not implemented for safeguarding theheritage structures.

Keywords:Delhi, architecture,biodeterioration, heritage,conservation

Effect and Impact of Climatic Change on Heritage of Kodagu, Karnataka

Trivikram TN & Sarmistha Chatterjee

The notion of heritage contributes to the continuity of cultural identities,which is important for the transmission of expertise, skills and knowledgebetween generations. Damage to a cultural heritage site can mean losingirreplaceable cultural, social and economic assets, impacting local, national,and global communities. Kodagu is a district in Karnataka that demonstratesa fragile link between the built heritage and the ecology that Kodagupossesses. In recent years, Kodagu has seen immense climatic catastrophes,leading to widespread flooding and landslides.The study has been conducted on the basis of data collected from site throughmapping and analytical observations, along with insights of scholars andpractitioners to understand the technical aspects of changes in landforms.This has helped in understanding the essence of this ecosystem includingsacred groves, coffee plantations and built heritage associated with suchspaces. Man-made changes and climatic threats are ever-increasing and weare almost on the verge of experiencing severe irreversible changes. Beforethe loss becomes irreparable and beyond chances to measure, it is extremelycrucial to prevent and take precautionarymeasures to safeguard the culturalidentity of Kodagu.

Keywords: Kodagu, climate change, built heritage, landslides

Book Review: ‘Mahanadi: The tale of a river by Anita Agnihotri, Translated by Nivedita Sen’

Surajit Sarkar

Photo Essay: Cultural Documentation of River Ganga from Gaumukh to Ganga Sagar

Intangible Cultural Heritage Division, INTACH

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) was commissioned to undertake cultural documentation project on River Ganga from Gaumukh to Ganga Sagar by the Jal Shakti Ministry, Government of India, under the Namami Gange Programme of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) scheme, where INTACH was involved as a knowledge partner in a cultural mapping endeavour. Three divisions of INTACH, namely, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Division, Architectural Heritage Division and Natural Heritage Division have worked on the documentation of intangible, architectural and natural assets along the Ganga waterfront. The project’s objective was to undertake research, survey, listing and audiovisual documentation of the diverse cultural assets along the Ganga River within a five-kilometre radius from its source at Gangotri to its dispersal point at Ganga Sagar. Covering a distance of 2,525 kilometres across five states, the Ganga holds significant cultural and sacred importance. This cultural documentation of the Ganga aimed to capture the essence of life, living traditions, communities along the river and livelihood opportunities. It sought to uncover cultural assets, establish the river’s connection with the cultural identity of cities along its banks and document the current status of living traditions and intangible heritage along its course, highlighting its special place in our collective consciousness.

Previous Issues

4.1 IJHS Volume 5, Issue 1 - 2023

IJHS Volume 5, Issue 1 2023 is a dedicated series of papers resulting from these research scholarships on heritage matters awarded by INTACH in 2018 and 2019. The main objective of dedicating an issue of the Journal to research emerging from the INTACH Scholarship programme was to disseminate the outcomes and knowledge generated through the Scholarship programme offered by INTACH to a wider audience. It consists of seven papers on critical themes and issues relating to heritage in the form of narratives, historic architecture and urban environments, traditional arts and crafts, and livelihoods.

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List of Papers

The Boulevard Town of Pondicherry through the Stakeholder’s Lens

Ananthi G Velmurugan

Pondicherry was the glorious capital of the French in colonial India. Boulevard town, the historic urban area of Pondicherry, was a planned settlement to accommodate the French and different Indian communities such as weavers, craftspersons, farmers, merchants, etc. Today, however, Pondicherry is a sought-after coastal weekend destination flooded with tourists, resulting in developmental pressure, and indirectly inducing gentrification in the boulevard town area. Against this backdrop, the paper discusses evolution, gentrification, and other issues of conserving the boulevard town, through the lens of its residents, tourists, and heritage building owners. Finally, the paper concludes with three goals and strategies to conserve and manage the historic area sustainably.

Keywords: historic urban environments, commercialisation, mass tourism, gentrification, stakeholders’ perception, sustainable strategies

Historical Religious Monuments of Chamba

Maalvika Pathania

Chamba, an old hill principality of Himachal Pradesh, remains an enigma. Tucked away amidst isolated high hill ranges, it remained an independent sovereignty till as late as 1947. It was ruled by a single family for over a thousand years. Its isolation was guarded by its geographical positioning which protected it from invasions and yet, as a State, it imbibed and developed progressive influences and still retained its own social and cultural identity. The old state evolved and was aligned with various cultural and political developments in and around the region of North India from 500 AD to 1947. Architecture and art, especially carving and painting, developed a singular and important aesthetic which drew the local artisans to create temple structures of immense beauty. The craftsmanship evolved into its own school and the temples thus created across the Ravi River, and which dotted the old State of Chamba from the highest reaches to the plains of the valley, house exquisite craftsmanship. Built structures from 550 AD to as late as the 10th century all lie in the high density seismic zone. The technique of digitised documentation, detailing with photography and creating turntables, modern methodologies for conservation of these wooden and stone architectural wonders has been successfully applied.

Keywords: Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, millennium town, very high damage risk seismic zone, wooden and stone temples, frescos and carvings, digitisation

Nakkashi Scroll Painting of Telangana: Art, history and preservation

Nalini Biluka

Nakkashi scroll paintings were made for religious purposes as they were used for narrating the tales or legends of local deities as well as Brahmanical gods. The subject of every scroll depended on the patron deity of the audience which came from different castes. After the Nakkashi artists painted the relevant theme, the storytellers carried it from one village to the other. The painted scroll formed the visual background for performance-based storytelling.

It is believed that the artists from Vijayanagara may have been the precursors of the Nakkashi style of painting. Many of the earlier scrolls bear a very close resemblance to the Vijayanagara and Nayaka style of murals and paintings (Sivaramamurthy 1985) Presently the Nakkashi artists make smaller versions of scrolls so as to be able to market them widely. This contemporary version is popularly known as Cheriyal painting, as the only surviving traditional artists still engaged in this practice belong to the Cheriyal town of Telangana.

This research involves documentation of the traditional material and method of preparation used over time. An understanding of materials is crucial for conserving an artwork. Therefore, this is a step towards helping preserve scroll paintings from the Telangana region. This study is a preliminary in nature owing to limited time, resources and access to the scrolls.

Keywords: Nakkashi scroll paintings, traditional art of Telangana, conservation of scrolls, Cheriyal paintings

The Lac Craft of Jaipur: History, evolution and sustainability of living heritage

Niyati Jigyasu

Intangible cultural heritage, including traditional crafts practices, is part of a living heritage and is transmitted from generation to generation, and is constantly recreated by communities in response to their environment (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO] 2004). The state of Rajasthan in the north-western part of India is home to many such crafts that have evolved with time and through generations. Maniharon Ka Rasta in Jaipur, home to the lac craft is recognised by its colourful imagery and is frequented both by tourists and locals. The craft is practised by craftsmen through a network of relationships steeped in social and cultural meanings in the context of an active engagement with the constituents of their surroundings. It has a considerable footprint and has been part of the economy since the inception of the city. Lac craft, like all other crafts, has undergone significant changes. This paper is based on the research undertaken to investigate the history of traditional lac craft practice, its change over time, and an understanding of its future sustainability within the context of Jaipur’s historic urban areas. The research also traces the spread of this craft practice to other areas in Jaipur. Historical documents, physical mapping, individual interviews and on-site observations have been part of the methodology used here.

Keywords: lac craft, bangle making, Jaipur, intangible heritage

Dravidian Dwelling Typologies of Chettinad

Prathyusha Ravi Nilankantan

The fusion of the simple Tamil courtyard house articulated with imported building materials and European influences is collectively admired in Chettinad architecture. The utilisation of diverse materials such as teak wood from Burma and Ceylon, Italian marble, Japanese ceramic tiles, Belgium glass etc. is considered routine in Chettinad residences. The community’s contact with overseas cultures manifested largely in the surface finishes and ornamentation of their buildings. The planning, however, always had strict references to the traditional typology customised for the Chettiars. Nonetheless, the exteriors reflected the architecture and culture prevalent at that point in time. Although the organisation of the housing is very similar and the two dominant styles of Chettinad architecture are well-known and documented. Firstly, the Tamil vernacular expression of Chettiar houses – regarded as the oldest typology – is derived from a modest Tamil house whose facades are generally simple and where the scale is modest with no significant change from the archetypal Tamil house. Secondly, the Art Deco expression of Chettiar houses built in the 1900s was widely favoured by the community and generally were two or three-storied houses exhibiting flat roofs. In between these two expressions briefed above is a very interesting typology that is coined as the Dravidian dwelling typology again depicting the prevalent dominant architectural style, very closely related to religious institutions or the temple. This paper attempts to examine a style that denotes the built-form characteristics of a Dravidian temple, reimagining and applying root features on domestic dwellings. The premise is that the typology was devised, designed and crafted by the sthapatis (architects) or shilpis (masons) of the region.

Keywords: sthapati, shilpi, Dravidian dwelling, Chettinad architecture

Narratives of Toponymy in Chennai: Naming places and placing names

Priya Sasidharan

The quest to experience intangible heritage that resonates with place and identity is the basis of a toponymic study of Chennai city. Cities embroiled in unbridled urbanisation are seeking to re-establish roots, collective memory and events enshrined in bygone times amidst the profiling of built heritage. The trajectory from the known and celebrated to the exploration of the lesser-known is the crux to unlocking the rationale behind the naming of places in the city. The paper attempts to document historical layers that place names unfold, revealing untold secrets behind place identities. The methodology outlines a review via a literature compendium, wide ranging documentation and a framework for the classification of place names. Toponymic identities are expressive annotations that mark the spirit of a place and a strong insignia of its existence. An innovative approach is in delineating the intangible heritage moorings of Chennai city by synthesising its structure and meaning, conceiving spatial connotations and connecting existing networks. The directives from the research culminate in a matrix endorsing the potency of place names which foster and sustain a trail of identity. The signature of place names decoded in the study outlines a framework for further research in the area of intangible heritage.

Keywords: intangible heritage, toponymy, place identity, matrix

Urban Living Heritage and Livelihoods

Shahena Khan & Anukriti Pathak

The research aims to develop a framework of assessment for evaluating the impact of holistic urban conservation projects/programmes on urban livelihoods in India. The research was divided in two parts, the first part centred on the development of a multidimensional framework to assess the economic, social, cultural and environmental impact of the urban conservation programmes in India based on extensive critical review of the existing secondary literature on the subjects of urban conservation and livelihood and outlining the concurrence between the two. The second part of the research was conducted through extensive primary studies using tools such as focused group discussions, semi-structured and structured interviews, street surveys and secondary review of project reports, reviews and policy documents. The findings of the primary research, stakeholder consultations with a range of people involved at various stages of both the projects, extensive literature review including of programme documents, policies and methodologies, the following recommendations are drawn which could strengthen the implementation of community centric urban conservation schemes focusing on livelihoods.

Keywords: urban conservation, sustainable development, participatory approaches, livelihoods, community, Amritsar, Nizamuddin Basti, assessment framework

INTACH Journal of Heritage Studies (Volume 4, Issue 2 – 2021)

The revised UN Sustainable Development Goals have for the first time included cultural heritage, establishing a target of “making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable by strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.” It is the investigation of this theme that is vital to the survival of our heritage and the creation of an environment that guarantees well-being, not just as outlined in SDG 3 but referenced in other SDGs as well. It is an important issue for the conservation community and those engaged in the preservation of all aspects of cultural heritage to consider best practice, methods, and strategies of how this may be achieved in such diverse areas as urbanism, water conservation, craft, sustainability, regeneration, parks and green-lands among countless others.

A call for abstracts on the theme of ‘Heritage and Well-being’ was announced in January 2020. After a short-listing process from over 90 abstracts, this volume came out compiled with eleven interesting ideas of ‘Heritage and well-being’

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List of Papers

Conservation of Heritage under Conflict: The Importance and Necessity of Community Engagement

Abhilasha Sharma

Cultural Ecology and Happiness, a Case Study of Western Bhutanese Settlements

Amrita Madan, Yash Pratap Singh Shekhawat and Piyush Das

Urban Green Spaces and Well-being: A Case of Taljai Hills of Pune

Archana Gaikwad

Heritage and Well-being, Baul - The Living Heritage of Kenduli Village

Chandni Thadani

Correlating Heritage and Well-being: A Step Closer towards Sustainability

Parul Zaveri

Museums and Well-being

Poornima Sardana

Tranquillity of Humayun's Tomb in Lush Green Spaces

Shubhangi Saxena& Varsha Singh

Relationship of Architectural Heritage and Well-being: Case Study of Pols of Ahmedabad, India

Sneha Kishnadwala

Langar, the Communal Meal and Its Impact on Well-being

Stuti Gandhi

Community, Culture and Conservation

Swapna Kothari

The Heritage of Everyday; Lesser Known Well-being of City-life

Tapan Mittal-Deshpande and Mugdha Kubade

INTACH Journal of Heritage Studies (Volume 4, Issue 1 – 2020)

The IJHS Volume 4, Issue 1 consists of the research papers shortlisted from the research papers submitted by scholars from Scholarship cycles 2016 and 2017.The papers engage with the critical themes and issues related to sacred cultural landscape, smart city, traditional usage of lime, ancient metallurgy, rural settlement, megalithic monuments, historic urban landscape, digital interface with traditional crafts knowledge and intangible heritage.

A call for abstracts on the theme of ‘Heritage and Well-being’ was announced in January 2020. After a short-listing process from over 90 abstracts, this volume came out compiled with eleven interesting ideas of ‘Heritage and well-being’

  • Price: INR 500/-
  • Discount: 10% for INTACH alumni, members and conveners and 20% for students
  • For all purchase enquiries, please mail to admn.iha@gmail.com/pra3.iha@gmail.com

List of Papers

Debta and the Religious-cultural Landscape of Rural Settlements in the Kullu Valley

Ashwini Pethe and Kiran Shinde

The Kullu valley in Himachal Pradesh is known as “devbhumi”, the land of the gods, where a variety of gods are believed to reside in several forms including deities, demi-gods, nagas (snakes), asuras (demons) and rishis (saints). In this paper, we explore the concept of debta – a term mostly used to refer to all such divine entities and their manifestation in the physical landscape. To do so, we focus on a detailed study of the village of Goshal which is representative of most rural settlements in the valley. Following the conceptual approach of sacred geography, extensive fieldwork was carried out to map natural and man-made elements in the landscape that are associated with mythological legends of different debtas and how they are incorporated into present day religious practices. It is found that this juxtaposition gives rise to a religious-cultural landscape which is constantly recycled by interactions between the belief in debta, the landscape elements, and the institutions that are bestowed upon with the divine responsibilities for its upkeep. We argue that such an unpacking of these processes leads to a better understanding of heritage in rural areas of the Kullu valley.

Keywords: debta, sacred geography, cultural landscape, mapping, Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Vernacular Temple Architecture in Sindhudurg District, Konkan Region, Maharashtra

Komal Potdar

The Konkan region is a rich historic milieu along the coast of the state of Maharashtra, representing a range of architectural heritage such as forts, caves, trade routes and temples. This region has witnessed multitudes of historical events through time, the archaeological remains as well as the development of art and architecture in the Konkan coast, is evidence of the same. The study of the vernacular temples in Sindhudurg district aims at a documentation of the architecture of the Konkan region, which is in tandem with its geography, local material, planning, and which bears a unique testimony to traditional design systems. The study pertains to temples as a distinct typology, indigenous to the Konkan region and a systematic record of the architectural characteristics of the temples, and the symbolism embodied in them. A detailed documentation of a few culturally important, with respect to sacred geography, aesthetically and architecturally significant temples, was carried out along with a study of the site and surroundings. At present, the morphological transformations within the temples are influenced by contemporaneous culture and political ideologies of the patrons and community. This study has documented a range of alterations leading to a conservation plan and manual, to maintain the integrity and authenticity of temple architecture. The study can be further expanded and utilised as a base for research in other districts of the Konkan regions, such as Rathagiri and Raigad and a broader strategy devised to recognize this vernacular heritage.

Keywords: Vernacular architecture, temples, Konkan, traditional knowledge, cultural landscapes

Heritage and Conservation in the Smart City Movement

Seema Dave

Historically, heritage has remained a strategic asset for creating cities that are more inclusive, creative and sustainable. This study focuses on establishing the importance of heritage in today’s context, where most countries are facing rapid urbanisation, with technology playing an increasing role in this transformation. Given the global consensus for sustainable development, this study highlights the importance of heritage in Sustainable Development Agendas (SDAs). Following a brief discussion on the Sustainable Development Agenda and Goals, recent concepts of Smart cities and the role of ICT, shortcomings of present approaches debated with the help of various literature, this study proposes an innovative methodology to use Smart city interventions as a tool to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. Thereby, overcoming the limitations of Smart city applications and sustainable development approaches while integrating the positives of both. This study addresses three main objectives related to 1) relevance and commitment of SDGs in a local context, and 2) application of Smart city as a tool or approach to achieve SDGs in general 3) how heritage and conservation sectors can be integrated into this proposed framework. This study also demonstrates, with the help of a model framework, where and how Smart city interventions and tools are best employed, and the local government role and how integration with other sectors can be managed. The model for this study is based on Ahmedabad in India and Oxford in the UK, but is replicable to other

Key Words: Heritage, Smart City, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Development Goals

Understanding Araaish Through Archival and Scientific Investigation

Vrinda Jariwala

Araaish, meaning decoration in Persian, is a fine lime plaster with a marble like finish. However, traces of its origin are yet to be explored. The finish, as a technique, was often used as a base for paintings which adorned many palaces of the Rajputs and Bundelas. Mughals were the biggest patrons of Araaish and it was extensively used during Akbar’s reign. Traditionally the crafts were practiced in karkhanas (Royal factories) or through guilds. Master craftsmen taught their apprentices secret recipes of making particular finishes. Most of the time, these recipes and techniques were not documented and knowledge was shared orally. Archived information in the form of descriptions in travelogues, memoirs and paintings was explored to historically anchor and understand prevalent traditional practices, employed for making the finish. One of the earliest examples of Araaish is found on the columns of the Shahi Hamam (Royal bath house) belonging to Akbar’s period at Agra fort. The finish is made in three layers where each layer has a specific purpose and the process of making - which adds to the plaster’s special characteristics, needs to be explored. Lastly, scientific investigations to understand physical and chemical properties (S.E.M. – Semi-electron microscope) of samples of historic and modern day Araaish were carried out. The determination of the composition of a historic plaster is relevant during restoration works on historic buildings, as it helps define the composition of the finish for a deeper scientific understanding and informed practice of conservation.

Key Words: Araaish, Lime plaster, archival investigations, techniques, scientificInvestigations

An Investigation of Harappan Copper Technology with Special Reference to Rakhigarhi andKuntasi

Diya Mukherjee

It is interesting to note that copper objects were found in the early Harappan civilization, but we find an alarming increase in copper objects in the mature level; the reason for this is yet unknown. The peculiarity of Harappan metal technology is that metal vessels or utilitarian vessels are found in large numbers, whereas war utensils are hardly found, with the exception of one or two. It is clear that metal objects were not simply utilitarian or symbolic but that they played a variety of roles in the economy, technology, socio-ritual/ornamental aspects of the Harappan era. A piece of metal in itself does not indicate its status. It is the context in which the metal is used that is important to understand its role in a specific society. As far as Rakhigarhi and Kuntasi are concerned, not much work has been done. As a result of which any hypothesis regarding metal processing cannot be drawn simply on the ground of lack of data. Therefore, a detailed study is required and I would like to take this up for the above reason. Moreover, there is very little known about the technical, social and political aspects of the Harappan Civilization, therefore a detailed study is required for that.

Key Words: Harappan, Technology, Metal Craft

Constancy and Change in Rural Dwellings of Saurashtra – Gujarat

Brinda Parth Shah

A decade of studying small villages and dwellings of western Gujarat (Saurashtra), brings to light the significant amount of change that village dwellings have gone through, over time. The change in dwelling formation has led to change in formation clusters of dwellings, leading to a dilution of “Village – Ness”. But, from authors narrating folklore of the place namely ZhaverchandMenghani, Kalapi, NanalalDalpatram Kavi, Dula BhayaKag etc. and recent works of Dhruv Bhatt, one understands the strong cultural traits which still exist. This poses a larger question of “village – ness”, which is seemingly disappearing from the village people or village dwellings. Or some aspects change and some remain unchanged. This research revolves around questions of changed and unchanged socio-cultural reflections on village dwellings. It contributes towards indicating a direction and awareness towards archiving our village dwellings as living cultural landscapes.

Key Words: Village Dwellings, Living cultural landscape, Saurashtra Region of Gujarat, Factors affecting change and unchanged aspects, Spaces of Dwellings

Of Dwarves and Dolmens: Tracking the “Little People” Legends of Megalithic South India

Srikumar M. Menon and Samira Agnihotri

Megalithic monuments, which are sepulchral or memorial structures from prehistoric phases of human societies, are known to occur worldwide. Peninsular India has an especially dense distribution of megaliths, a cultural practice that is likely to have originated here in the Neolithic period, and persisted till as recently as the first few centuries of the Common Era. These megaliths range in structure from simple menhirs, to carefully crafted dolmens with elaborate surrounding structures. Since the 1800s, there have been sporadic reports of local residents near megalithic sites attributing the construction of these structures to a race of “little people”, with the terms “Mμori” or “Pμandava” most commonly given to this race. In this paper, we attempt to map the geographical spread of this “little people” legend across south India, as well as speculate on the possible origins and spread of this legend in the region.

Key Words: Megalith, dwarf, myth, Mμori, Pμandava

Heritage of Bidar and Basavakalyan

Madhu Vottery

Through this work, the author has tried to connect Bidar and Basavakalyan (originally Kalyan), instead of the usual triangle of Bidar, Bijapur and Gulberga, even though some mention is made of these historic cities. The link with Kalyan, capital city of Western Chalukyan rulers, is much older compared to the Bahmani triangle of historic cities, hence an attempt has been made to revive it through this work, which will create a path for more students and scholars and encourage them to work in the historic cities of India. School children have helped in creating colourful drawings.

Key Words: Bidar, Basavakalyan, Kalyani, Fort, Karez, Qanat, Laterite, Chalukyan, Bahmani, Barid Shahi, Canons, Madrassa

Deciphering Historic Urban Landscape: Walled City of Ahmedabad

Foram N. Bhatt

The socio-cultural attributes of historic towns and cities have evolved with time. The cities reflect cultural exchanges, influences as well as change and continuity with changing rulers and dynasties. Thus, historic cities are layered and are great examples of the passing on of tradition. “The historic urban landscape is the urban area understood as the result of a historic layering of cultural and natural values, extending beyond the notion of a historic centre or ensemble to include the broader urban context and its geographical settings”1. This approach emphasises both the tangible and intangible aspects which governed these historic towns and cities. One can learn a great deal from historic cities for future planning and urban development. These settlements are reflections of culture in which they are embedded. They are organic in pattern, reflecting sensitivity towards physical attributes such as climate, context, material, and technology. These societies had a shared belief system and way of life so their settlements wereharmonious to their lives. The integrity and harmony in the built environment can be observed at the dwelling level, neighbourhood level, and cluster level. Cities are at their best when they are lived in by those for whom they were built. In present times need and lifestyles have changed. Migration, changes in lifestyle, changes in land use pattern, space requirements as well as the definition of the man and nature relationship has altered. The perception of shared value systems has been replaced with aspirations of individual identity. Moreover, in this era of modernisation, new materials and technologies are replacing indigenous knowledge systems which earlier governed the historic settlements. The result is an uncontrolled and irreversible change in the built environment. Significant values associated with these settlements are threatened. There is an urgent need to have a system to measure, guide, and regulate unsympathetic modifications and alterations to these historic settlements that have the potential to be conserved for future generations.

Key Words: Nature, Culture, Built Living Environment, Traditional Settlement, Settlement Pattern, Integrity

Garba: A Journey from the Streets to the Stage

Utpala Desai

Attempts to map the historic development of this folk practice. It is irrevocably tied up with the celebration of Navratri a Hindu festival in deification of the mother goddess and has evolved over the past centuries into a socio-cultural phenomenon encompassing communities beyond Gujarat and finding in Bollywood cinema as well. The paper sketches the genesis evolution of the folk-dance form.

Key Words: dance, festival, global identity, urbanization, Women, oral tradition

INTACH Journal of Heritage Studies (Volume 3 – 2018)

The third issue is dedicated to the papers arising from the research scholarships on heritage matters that were awarded in 2015. It contains eight research papers for sharing the outcomes of the scholarships in a wider public domain and the knowledge as widely as possible disseminated. The aim of most of the research studies was to use advanced technology and scientific methodology for a critical and in-depth understanding and analysis of issues and complexities related to natural and cultural heritage.

The papers critically examine the themes and issues related to natural heritage, archaeology, traditional building materials and craftsmanship, traditional textiles, risk preparedness, material science, historic planting, transport infrastructure and a scientific approach to the structural analysis of historic structures.

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List of Papers

Saraswati River System: The Harbinger of the Vedic Indian Civilization

A.R. Chaudhri

The Saraswati River is the cradle of the ancient Indian Vedic civilization. The inherent intangible nature of the Rig Veda has relegated this massive paleo-river system into the realm of mythology. Recent scientific advancements in terms of satellite images, isotope studies and dating techniques of Quaternary sediments have fascinated geo-scientists to unravel the intangible which is so very complexly intertwined with the awesome long lost ancient natural heritage of India. Study of satellite imagery, trench sediments, sedimentary structures, textural and dense mineral geo-scientific investigations in the Himalayan foothill region and the Satluj-Ghaggar-Yamuna inter-fluvial plains in Jind, Kurukshetra, Yamuna Nagar and Panchkula districts point towards the presence of a turbulent, wide channelled, trans-Himalayan river which geo-spatially fits in well with the description of the elusive Saraswati River, so very often mentioned in the ancient Indian scriptures.

Key Words: Saraswati River, Rig Veda, Sedimentology, INTACH, Dense mineral, Haryana

Indian Handloom: Weaves and Traditions

Bessie Cecil

Handloom of India is a significant term, conjuring up a craft that covers tradition and culture far beyond the frontiers of this great country. It includes within its fold well-known artistic varieties such as the brocades of Banaras and Kanchipuram, Baluchari, Jamdani, Paithani, Himroo, Mashru, Patola, Thanchoi, etc. using the handloom. As a craft, handloom has not only produced the finest muslins and the coarsest carpets, but also has helped in sustaining the lives of millions of artisans across generations. Many of our textile traditions are named after the place of production and techniques. There is a scarcity of literature to categorically explain the technique and processes of Indian handloom and hand woven textiles. The essay discusses select popular textile ‘traditions’ to understand the various types of ‘Weaves’ that are used in the Indian context.

Understanding Lakhori

Bhawna Dandona and Suruchi Shah

This paper provides an insight into some of the key aspects of the research carried out as part of INTACH scholarship on Survey and Characterisation of Lakhori, further developed by the authors. It provides a historical overview on origin, use and methods of manufacture, properties visually as well as by scientific testing of Lakhori during the Mughal period in India.

Key Words: Brick, Lakhori, Delhi, Haryana, testing

Formulation of Risk Management Plan for British Colonial Built Heritages in Visakhapatnam Coastal City in the Wake of Hudhud Cyclone of 2014

Viswanadha Kumar Giduthuri

Globally, urban areas are considered as engines of productivity and growth of a country. However, present day cities are faced with challenges of transformation and management with respect to globalization, competitiveness, sustainability, climate change, liveability and inclusiveness. These transformations will have a direct bearing on the strategies that need to be adopted to combat the challenges. Visakhapatnam city in Andhra Pradesh is fastest growing city in Asia that consists of a good number of British Colonial heritage constructed during AD 1801-1947. The Governments of India and Andhra Pradesh have proposed to transform this city into a ‘Smart City’. Unfortunately, the recent Hudhud cyclone has greatly impacted the city and its built heritage on the 12th October 2014. In this context, it is proposed to examine major British Colonial heritage in Visakhapatnam with respect to any cyclone effect and prepare risk management plans to uphold the historic urban fabric to retain the special identity, aesthetics, educational value, recreational benefits and socio-cultural significance of the city for the advantage of the generations to come.

Key Words: Built Heritages, Cyclone, Hudhud, Risk Management Plan

Understanding and Replicating Traditional Mortars in East India for Brick Structures

Neeta Das

Traditional lime mortars in India are of a mysterious nature and have been a source of great discussion among historians and conservation architects. When one gets down to the conservation of buildings, there is no ‘scientific’ proportions and/or guidelines for why, how, and when they are to be made making the job very difficult. There was an urgent need to understand old mortars and their proportioning to be able to produce an ‘authentic’ and ‘compatible’ mortar for conservation. After acid dissolution test we reached a hypothesis that the traditional mortars in India which we know as ‘lime mortars’ may have been ‘clay mortars’ and the materials being sourced today are not the same as those that were used to make these. About 25% of these samples were sent for further XRD testing. The tests confirmed that traditional Indian mortars were made up of basically air (non-hydraulic) lime, sand, and clay or brick powder. Secondary sources suggest that traditional buildings in India and in other parts of the world, used mud mortars to start with. Lime was added to the local clay, as were many other organic additives, to stabilize and improve the quality of the mortar and its workability. This tradition of making clay mortars continued up to the 19th century and even later.

Key Words: Traditional mortars, clay mortars, lime mortars, mud mortars, XRD, acid dissolution test

Historic Planting: A Contextual Approach for Heritage Precincts in India

Nupur Prothi Khanna

Historic precincts that should showcase plant palette of a particular period or region are today plagued by homogenization in softscape. This is probably because planting for historic precincts has not received adequate attention from the purview of authenticity, aesthetics and availability of appropriate plant material. For projects where replanting exercise has been taken up, there is at times a lack of clarity on appropriate methodology of on-site execution. Conservation efforts for innumerable heritage projects being undertaken make it imperative to address planting for historic precincts with greater urgency. Decision-making regarding planting at historic precincts should be informed by thorough background research and documentation related to plant palette, planting layout and its contribution to the overall ambience. An understanding of how planting was undertaken historically requires a critical analysis of the concept of authenticity and progression of the aesthetic character of the softscape. Discussions around planting are gaining momentum, primarily through individual and a few institutional efforts, which focus on availability of indigenous species and sustenance of biodiversity. It is crucial for the process of research to concentrate on the cultural aspect of the softscape to reiterate the relevance of the vegetal component in the overall historic significance and ambience of the historic precinct.

Key Words: Planting, Historic, Precinct, Authenticity

Study of Pune Metro Project: A Heritage Conservation Perspective

Prajakta Panshikar

Discussion on rail based Metro is often limited to the fields of transportation, urban planning and civil engineering. Rarely does one hear of voices from the heritage conservation perspective. The experience of Pune Metro shows that a capital-intensive, large-scale infrastructure project such as the Metro most likely brings irreversible transformation of urban landscapes. It should, therefore, be adequately explored from the perspective of its social and environmental desirability. The present study comments on the impact of Metro on heritage and extends to critically studying the existing framework that safeguards, protects and preserves heritage from the disruptive forces of urbanization.

Key Words: Historic urban landscape, Pune Metro Development Plan, Heritage conservation, MRTP Act

Structural Analysis of Historic Masonry Structures with Vaulted and Domical Roofs Case Study: The Alai Darwaza, Qutb Complex, New Delhi

Richa Bansal

Structural analysis of historic constructions involves many challenges due to their complex geometries and unknown core materials. Masonry structures carry their action primarily in compression but their vulnerability to earthquakes and tensile forces has been proven time and again. The present research describes the structural analysis of an early 14th century grand domed masonry gateway – The Alai Darwaza, using two methods: the finite element method for the entire structure and the compressive thrust line method for the dome. It is a typical Indo- Islamic structure with a distinct structural system involving the interaction of arches, vaults and domes. The work provides a methodology for several other arcuated and domed masonry structures in and around Delhi (Seismic zone 4) with the aim of protection from earthquake loads in future.

Key Words: arches and domes, masonry, earthquakes, finite element, thrust line

INTACH Journal of Heritage Studies – Intangible Cultural Heritage in India (Volume 2 – 2016)

This issue of the journal focuses on key aspects of Intangible Cultural Heritage and contains six articles and four book reviews that are related to traditional acrobats of village India, the myriad forms of Ramkatha rendered in different regions across India, folk songs by women of the Garhwal Himalaya, the dilemma of modernity versus tradition, as well as the increasing need for museums to showcase India’s wealth of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This links in with the impact of globalization on the rich and varied craft traditions in India, and the ways to build successful craft enterprises.

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List of Papers

The Acro-Yogic Body Culture of the 'Nats': Traditional Acrobats of Village India

Madhu Khanna

Action-Packed Galleries: Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Museums of India

Dr. S. Suresh

Plural and Diverse Traditions of Ramkatha

Molly Kaushal

The Song as Intangible Cultural Heritage: Women's Voices in the Garhwal Himalaya

Anjali Capila

Globalisation and the Indian Craft Heritage: Threat or Opportunity?

Laila Tyabji

Building Cultural Enterprises Involving Communities and Craft

Ritu Varuni

Book Review: ‘Bengali Theatre: 200 Years by Utpal K Banerjee Badal Sircar: Towards a Theatre of Conscience by Anjum Katyal’

Benil Biswas

Book Review: ‘Ramkatha in Narrative Performance and Pictorial Traditions by Molly Kaushal, Alok Bhalla, and Ramakar Pant (eds.)’

Pushpesh Pant

Book Review: ‘The Toda Landscape: Explorations in Cultural Ecology by Tarun Chhabra’

Meena Subramanian

INTACH Journal of Heritage Studies – Approaches to Conservation in India (Volume 1 – 2015)

The first issue of the journal aims to illustrate the evolution of conservation in India. It contains five papers, four book reviews and one special contribution that examine themes and issues related to Archaeology, History of Architecture, Universal Accessibility, Identity, Politics of Heritage, Community Participation, Sustainability, Conservation Engineering, Risk Preparedness, Perspectives on Authenticity, World Heritage, Cultural Tourism, Documentation and Archives.

  • Price: INR 500/-
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List of Papers

Archaeological Legislation in India: The Historical Context and Future Directions

Dr S. Suresh

Experiencing Heritage Sites: A Phenomenological Study Involving People with Vision Impairment

Kavita Murugkar & Abir Mullick

Heritage in the Post-industrial City: Discourses on Architectural Heritage, De-politicization of Space and Issues of Socio-cultural Continuity in Mumbai's Historic Neighbourhoods

Shweta Wagh

Seismic Safety of Architectural Heritage in India: State of the Art and Future Challenges

Vasudha A. Gokhale

Bridging Architectural Conservation and Sustainability

Divya Chakravarti

Nara+20 and Its Background

Toshiyuki Kono

Book Reviews

Course Calendar