ISLAMABAD: The highly dilapidated condition of a historical baradari, located on the outskirts of Islamabad, reflects the priorities of the departments concerned regarding preservation of such buildings and structures.

Given very little care, the historical Kuri Baradari, believed to have been built during the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1799-1840), speaks volumes about the inefficiency of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the archaeology department. It seems both the departments have never bothered to protect and preserve this historical building.

A fresco inscribed inside the baradari has now faded while the structure of the abandoned building is crippling day by day. The site is located in the Kuri village, about 10 kilometres north of the federal capital, on the bank of a dried bed of Soan River.

The dilapidated Kuri Baradari on the outskirts of Islamabad. The other picture is of the remains of what used to be the outer wall of the monument. — Photos by the writer

Currently, all the paintings inside the building have faded while the external walls and roof have decayed. During a visit to this site, Dawn observed that at least five small portions of the building had fallen down.

Two centuries old baradari in Kuri village crumbling due to non-preservation

In 2010, a group of 10 archaeologists, headed by Dr Mohammad Ashraf Khan, the head of the archaeology department at the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), visited the site.

The team comprised professors from Italy, Germany, United States and Pakistan. The team reported in Asian Civilisation Journal: “Floral and geometrical designs, in red, yellow and green colour, can be seen. A human picture, most probably of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, is also painted in the interior of the baradari. Another painting shows fruits in a tray.”

Dr Ashraf Khan told Dawn that after visiting the site his team had advised the CDA and the archaeology department to protect and preserve the historical site. However, no one has bothered to pay any attention, he added.

Professor Ghaniur Rehman, a member of the team that visited the site, added: “The historical site in the federal capital should be protected and preserved. Across the world, governments preserve such buildings to promote tourism but unfortunately here we are bent upon destroying them.”

During the visit to the site, Dawn also observed that the site, which once used to be the sitting place of the maharaja, is now being used by vandals and stray animals. Empty cartons of cigarettes, torn pieces of playing cards and animal waste lined the circumference of the building.

Director National College of Arts Dr Nadeem Omar Tarar said: “The archaeology department and the CDA should save such a historical building, which could be used to promote tourism in the country.”

On the other hand, local residents claimed that the historical site had been transferred to a private owner. “I heard from a number of sources that this property has been allotted to someone,” said Nambardar Jamil, a notable of the area. However, the CDA denies this.

Asim Khichi, the CDA spokesman, said in collaboration with the archaeology department the civic agency would protect the site.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2014