PESHAWAR, Dec 18: Archaelogists have stressed the need for preserving the Sethi Houses, awe-inspiring architectural specimens combining the Iranian and Gandhara art, to show Peshawarites’ love of art. Located in the heart of the Walled City near Bazar-e-Kalan, the palatial houses could be described as one of the architectural jewels of Peshawar, showing their original owners’ aesthetic sense and boasting a highly decorative and artistic woodwork designs.

These structures present a unique combination of brick and wood framework. It is an architectural expression composed of carved and moulded brick and fretwork wooden balconies, reminiscent of Central Asian building tradition.

The houses, constructed in 19th century, are distinctive because of the dexterity with which these were built.

The wooden architecture showed great artisanship of the time and interior decoration reflected the love of adornment of their owners.

The ceilings of the houses had been designed in different colours while painted glasses fixed on the walls and imported colourful chandeliers add to their beauty.

“The houses were built by Sethis, a traditional business community of Peshawar that was involved in international trade,” Mukhtar Ali Nayyar, says a prominent Hindko writer, poet and research scholar.

“Sethis were rich merchants. They were inspired by architectural masterpieces they saw during their frequent visits to Bukhara and other Central Asian States to build palatial houses beautifully decorated with wood carving and colourful mirrors,” said Mr Nayyar.

“Sethi Houses successfully replicate the beautiful mansions dotting the Central Asian States.”

Mr Nayyar believed the main reason behind the construction of such palatial houses was not only the Sethis’ wealth, but it was more out of their love for art and architecture.

Apart from the Sethi Houses, the buildings of Sardar Khels in the Chowk Nasir Khan and houses of the Qazis are also beautiful specimens of Mughal architecture.

Prominent archaeologist, Prof Ahmad Hassan Dani has also mentioned Sethi Houses in his book ‘Peshawar — Historic City of the Frontier.’

Prof Dani wrote: “Sethi Houses are highly-embellished buildings in the city. These ornamented houses have very decorative carved wooden doors, balconies, mirror work and painted reception rooms.”

“These buildings and some others at Dhaki Nalbandi near Qissa Khawani Bazaar are excellent examples of wooden architecture in Peshawar,” observes Prof Dani in his book.

Sethi houses are presently in possession of family members who are not as rich as their forefathers and, therefore, are unable to maintain the beauty of these houses.

A visit to the Mohallah Sethian revealed that the houses were losing their beauty as these had been rented out by their present owners.

“We cannot maintain the glory of these houses and have rented out some portions to meet our needs,” said Mansoor Ahmad, who lives in a house built by Sethi Karim Baksh.

Mr Mansoor said the architectural beauty of their houses is known internationally and foreigners also visit these houses frequently.

About the preservation of the house, Mr Mansoor expressed willingness to sell his house to the Archaeological Department for the sake of preservation.

“We are ready to sell our house to the government in return for a suitable price,” he added.

Director of Archaeology and Museums NWFP Prof Dr Ehsan said that no step had been taken for preservation of these houses.

He said it was not possible to preserve them as the houses were in possession of their owners.

The Archaeology Department, he said, had included Sethi Houses in a report being prepared in collaboration with Unesco to document the cultural assets of Peshawar.

The objective of preparing the report, which also serves as an inventory of historic structures of Peshawa,r was to have these sites including Sethi houses gazetted or notified to save them from indiscriminate destruction, he said.

Prof Ehsan said the department had also requested Unesco to provide funds for purchasing one of the houses for preservation.

These houses could become a great attraction for local and international tourists, he said.

“There is a dire need for preserving these houses to make the beauty and grandeur with which these were built accessible to public,” Prof Ehsan observed. — APP