By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: The renovation work of Nawabi era Taj Mahal building in Shahjahanabad locality here in Bhopal would be completed soon. Efforts would be undertaken to complete the work within a year to restore the lost grandeur of this great monument. For this purpose an action plan would be chalked out and discussed with various departmental heads in the district.
The above observations were made by Madhya Pradesh Culture, Public Relations and Mineral Resources Minister Laxmikant Sharma after inspecting the renovation work going on at Taj Mahal here on Thursday.
Madhya Pradesh Culture Minister Laxmilant Sharma inspecting the restoration works of Bhopal’s Taj Mahal on Thursday
The Culture Minister said that several Nawabi era buildings including Taj Mahal have archaeological value. So far, the Culture Department is undertaking the renovation work from its own funds but now help of other departments would also be sought. A proposal would also be sent to the Union government seeking total restoration of this sprawling building complex. The Culture Department would see to it that various cultural programmes are held here so that people can be introduced to the building’s grandeur.
Sharma said funds to the tune of Rs. 2.058 million received under 12th Finance Commission have been spent on the renovation work during the years 2006-07 and 2007-08. These funds have been utilized for renovation of plaster of Sheesh Mahal, Plaster of Paris, aluminum frames and pieces of mirrors of different colours. The Sheesh Mahal has been fully restored with the help of artisans from Rajasthan.
It may be mentioned here that the construction of Taj Mahal in Bhopal started in 1871 and was completed in 1884. Nawab Shahjahan Begum, the woman ruler of Bhopal state, had this grand building constructed as her royal palace. The construction at that time cost Rs. 3 million. The main gate of this six-storey building is so high that large and high vehicles can easily pass through it. It had 120 rooms and eight large halls. All the rooms were different from each other in colour-scheme and decoration. It had a whole lot of other decorative features. Festival was held for three years consecutively after completion of Taj Mahal. This is a good example of architecture of earlier medieval age.
Those who accompanied the minister during the inspection included Commissioner Archaeology Mrs. Smita Gate and officers of concerning departments. ([email protected])