MONUMENT UNTRACEABLE TO TRACEABLE

UNTRACEABLE

TO

TRACEABLE MONUMENT

Jami Mosque of Ahmedabad

PREAMBLE

Recognition of the inherent dignity equality is indisputable rights

of all members of the human family. On this planet everyone has

right of livelihood, depending on geographical and social

condition under the laws and social justice are universal values of

humanity.

“The Gujarat Style Indo-Muslim architecture of 14th to 16th

centuries is the most important and the most elegant, The Gujarat

style of Islamic architecture, came in existence at the time when

the Islamic building art at Delhi was at its best. As against this

Gujarat have a singularly beautiful style of its own character.”

(Late Mr. Ziyaud-Din Desai)

The Jami Mosque of Ahmedabad is national asset monument of

national importance in the list of ASI, this monument is

interactive, reflects the time based significance beauty of grate

Hindu architecture of pre SULTANAT period unspoken

testimony of tolerant Hinduism, later converted in to mosque by

the Sulatn of Ahmedabad.

Heritage monuments like this not only help define the greatness

of our culture, but also help us in appreciating India's dynamic

links with the rest of the world. While Indian culture welcomed

outside influences through the ages, it also spread its own

influence in distant lands. The magnificent Angkor Wat of

Cambodia is the world's largest Hindu temple complex, while

ancient Hindu influences are visible in Java, Bali, Thailand and

elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

PREAMBLE

Conservation Studies/ Associate Prof Jigna Deasi/ Harminder Singh/ Semester: 2/ 18-04-2013

The Jami Mosque of Ahmedabad

The Jami Mosque of Ahmedabad is a thought provoking priceless

architecture, It is multifaceted with Diversity and significant to the

history of sub continent. It is in contact with the harsh environment

of Fecal politics, local community and government have no control

on its poor condition. In recent history Jami Mosque was neglected

during the unstable MARTA PERIOD, there was some of the

appreciation by the BRITISH RAJ, later by the ASI.

Many other threats to this monument is remain which can lead to

one more 'UNTRACEABLE MONUMENT' it remains in the public

space with no barrier it is gating abused.“The old order must

necessarily change and make way for today's people to live”



Jama(Jami) Masjid, Ahmedabad

Affiliation: Islam

Architectural type: Mosque

Architectural style: Islamic

Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

The mosque Jama Masjid (meaning

Friday Mosque) is the most splendid

mosque of Ahmedabad, built in 1424

during the reign of Ahmed Shah.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

The two principal minarets flanking the main arched

entranceway collapsed in the 1819 earthquake, their

lower portions still stand. The main prayer hall has over

260 columns supporting the roof, with its 15 domes,

making a walk through the hall a beautiful maze of light

and shadows. The Wall of Prayer, the qibla is decorated.

The main entrance is framed by two columns, the

remains of two minarets (the 'shaking minarets') which

were destroyed by the earthquakes of 1819 and 1957.



The inscription on the mihrab commemorates the inauguration of the mosque on

January 4th 1424 by Sultan Ahmad Shah I. The mosque was originally intended

only for private use of the sultans.

To the west of the mosque are the tombs of Ahmed Shah, his son and his grandson

(Ahmad Shah Rauza). Nearby are the graves of the queen and the other wives of

the Sultan (Rani ka Hazira).

This mosque Built with yellow sandstone, the mosque complex is centered on a

large rectangular courtyard 75 m long and 66 m wide. The prayer room is also

rectangular and covered by four domes.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE



Current condition around the mosque boundary wall in between the red line.

CURRENT CONDITION



Damage to visual authenticity mosque architecture

Parliamentary government administration resulted the need

of local people into the encroachment around the mosque

boundary wall.

AUTHENTICITY OF MOSQUE ARCHITECTURE



Taj Mahal as

Reference example of the architecture importance

Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Built :1632–1653

In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World

Heritage Site. While the white domed marble

mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj

Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures.

The construction began around 1632 and was completed

around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and

craftsmen.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE



Observation

Ÿ Authenticity of the architecture view

Ÿ Original look

Ÿ Issue of mass of the vendors and hawkers

Ÿ Maidan-i Shah

OBSERVATION



Justification to pursue this monument as conservationist:

As recently, there where question raised in Parliament of India.

(Sunday Times of India, Ahmedabad, April, 7, 2013)

I quote here:

What is the current condition of monuments of India?

The Director of ASI Shri S.K. Mitra, he simply explains that India's

35 'protected monuments' are missing in India. The Delhi as

capital of country is at tops on the list with 12,'Untraceable'

Structures of monuments.

Now the question emerges, how can a monument a permanent

structure vanish in the air?

It is the silent vandalism in other word encroachments, unless we

take pride in our rich common inheritance values, unless we feel

involved and committed to preserving, our cultural legacy it will

not survive for future generations.

CURRENT ISSUES

Jami Mosque is connected to many issues of our society such as

overpopulation, natural forces, unbalanced town planning and

growth of cities, unjustifiable human greed are major factors in

the gradual degradation of this historic monument.

The writing on the crumbling walls is clear wherever we look.

Today, the surrounding area is teeming with apartments and

shops built over ruins of ancient mosque with alarming

frequency. But it will be a tragedy if future generations lose forever

antiquities which are vital for them to understand who they are,

and where they come from.

LAWS AND GOVERNMENT

Government and non-governmental agencies are battling boldly

against natural and human forces to preserve our heritage.

However, they can also force us to watch helplessly while our

legacy dissipates before our eyes.

While the civic authorities quibble over whose jurisdiction, some

of the heritages buildings restoration work cannot begin until the

court cases are resolved.

ENGAGE IN COMMERCE

When land and resources are limited, decaying relics from the past

are compelled to make way for those living today. Money is

necessary for feeding, clothing and sheltering our masses.

Hospitals, schools, dams and industries, many will contend, we

must take priority over spending crores to repair and beautify

decaying of our priceless heritage.

But ordinary people also have a role to play, Instead of damaging

monuments, tossing out garbage and sitting back and laying the

blame at someone else's doorstep, we can take a stand. It is

important to understand, despite our limited capabilities and

resources, we all can make a positive difference.

JUSTIFICATION TO PURSUE THIS MONUMENT



LIFECYCLE OF THE MONUMENT

The life of Jami Mosque monument is depends on the sensitivity

of us, when we look at the lifecycle of this building still holds the

same importance like it was during the SULTANAT period one

can say even it is more valuable and priceless heritage.

TIME TO ACT

It is time for people like us as conservationist to come forward

and help spread awareness about the numerous advantages of

preserving our nation's historic legacy. We can also pass on a

positive influence to children close to us. Sadly, the average

Indian student knows little about the cultural heritage of his

homeland.

It is up to us to see that it continues to be an integral part of our

daily lives. Our philosophical traditions can continue to guide us

and nurture our spirits in these times of violence and greed. Small

shrines and structures connected with local heroes can be a

rallying point for community feeling and pride.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE

Technology has made information sharing more efficient than

ever. We can use it to connect with like-minded people not only in

India, but across the globe, and learn more about foreign cultures.

We too can participate in spreading knowledge about our

heritage, and share our personal insights and perspectives.

JUDICIAL REFORMS

At a time demand for judicial reforms and change in the legal

processes has acquired a new necessity. Fundamental and time-

tested principles of law and natural justice must not be

compromised to satiate the harsh expression that often defines

our political discourse and sometimes succeeds in drowning

appeals to logic and justice.



APPROACH TO CELEBRAT PAST AND DEVELOP THE

METHODOLOGY

To conserve the

this

monument one require the lot detective work with many

expertise in various discipline as to find out the details all aspect,

tangible to intangible. Thereafter one need to collect all the

information, convert in to document with which hold intensive

detail of other issues with integrated holistic approach.

Monument of national importance protection

methodology in context of the Jami Masjid, Ahmedabad.

COEXISTING OF MONUMENT AND OUR MASSES

One can stop any to work to livelihood on humanity ground.

Recognition of the inherent dignity equality is indisputable rights

of all members of the human family. On this planet everyone has

right of livelihood, depending on geographical and social

condition under the laws and social justice are universal values of

humanity. However one also can not destroy the priceless heritage

on the name of livelihood of our masses.

Coexisting of monument and our masses, when land and

resources are limited, decaying relics from the past are compelled

to make way for those living today. Money is necessary for feeding,

clothing and sheltering our masses. Hospitals, schools, dams and

industries, many will contend, we must take priority over

spending crores to repair and beautify decaying of our priceless

heritage.



VARIABLE PRICELESS HERITAGE



18TH CENTURY OLD IMAGE OF AHMEDABAD



We need to protect our priceless heritage because India as world leader cannot project

itself as the country of snack charmer with poor infrastructure having no value of its

history of culture.

INDIA AS WORLD LEADER



THE BURRA CHARTER PROCESS LEVEL



Education institution

Newspaper and other publication

Elite of Ahmedabad

Political leader

Historian

Religious leader

Muslim and other local community

Sthapatis / Sompuras / Raj Mistris

FIRST STEP PUBLIC AWARENESS



Owner/ stakeholder National asset

ASI

Wakf board

Shop owner

House owner

Wander on footpath

Chief Minister

Member of Parliament

UNISCO

ASI

City police/traffic

Wakf board

AMC/ town planer

Bureaucracy of other department

Conservationist

Administration

AWARENESS



DETECTIVE WORK REQUIRED STEP BY STEP

As following

Old map of Ahmedabad of sultanat period

Old map of British raj

Comparative analyses of the original boundary of the Jami

Mosque

Flower area ratio

Collecting the data encroachment

Collecting the data of legal owner of the space

Developing the detail plan of the mosque land

Developing the map of all detail of the mosque base on the data

Current town paling law

Developing the conservation proposal

DETECTIVE WORK



DEVELOPING CONSCIENCE

Resolving the issue in sustainable manner

Legislation amendment if require

Conservation policy

Finance

Time frame

Action plan

Implementation

conservation policy step by step as guided in the

conservation policy



Propose draft plan of the Jami Mosque of Ahmedabad Untraceable to traceable monument Jami mosque of ahmedabad

UNTRACEABLE TO TRACEABLE MONUMENT

PROPOSE DRAFT PLAN



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I Harminder singh wish to express my sincere gratitude Associate Prof Jigna Deasi for teaching this important course of Conservation

Studies, I sincerely thank to Academic Head Prof R.J. Vasavada for guidance and conducting the course under the M. Sc. Conservation

at CEPT Ahmedabad. Last but not least. I wish to avail myself of this opportunity, express a sense of gratitude and love to my friends and

my beloved parents for their manual support, strength, help and for everything.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT



MONUMENT UNTRACEABLE TO TRACEABLE

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