Panchkula: Remove the weeds to see this monument

of historical importance in Panchkula and requires adequate conservation,” says Benani Bhattacharya, deputy director of Haryana’s Archaeology Department, as she highlights the immediate need to get the building vacated so that its restoration can begin. The only remnant of British architecture of the 19th century in the district, the building currently houses the District Consumer Courts.

Built by Prince Surjan Singh and Bir Singh, the two sons of Raja Fateh Singh, who was the ruler of Sirmaur state, the building traces its history to 1857-63 AD, when a garden surrounded the monument. It derives its name from Nahan, which was a princely estate near Pinjore in Himachal Pradesh. “First and foremost, we have to get the building rid of the insects and termites which have consumed the building. There is weed growing all over on the roof and parts of the structure are falling down. It has become unsafe and can collapse any time,” says Bhattacharya as she elaborates on the conservation plan that the department has been working on, but cannot execute till the building is vacated.

Under the conservation plan, the walls would be cleaned and the weed would be removed. The natural ceiling of the monument would be restored by adequate support using beams, as there is water seepage. “There are plants growing in the crevices. The peepal tree needs to removed, as it has weakened the walls,” Bhattacharya says.
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The Haryana government had declared the building as an ancient monument in November 2007 and the ownership was taken over by the Archeology and Museums Department from the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). However, no restoration or repair has taken place since then.
“We have written several letters drawing attention to the building and a recent one has been written to Chief Secretary D S Dhesi. If the building is vacated, we can start the conservation work,” says Bhattacharya. The department is mulling over setting up a museum in the building to keep books and publications.