Dissertation - Balancing Heritage and Contemporary Architecture

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University

Kashmere Gate Campus, Delhi

RESEARCH PAPER, 2013-14

Balancing Heritage and Contemporary
Architecture in Delhi

Kavya Gupta
Roll no. - 1790701610
Fourth Year, 2013-2014

GUIDE
Ar. Vijay Matange

i

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
Kashmere Gate, Delhi

APPROVAL

Research Paper title: Balancing Heritage and Contemporary Architecture
in Delhi

The following study is here by approved as a creditable work on the approved
subject, carried out and presented in a manner sufficiently satisfactory to
warrant its acceptance as a pre-requisite to the degree for which it has been
submitted.
It is to be understood that by this approval, the undersigned does not necessarily
endorse or approve any statement made, opinion expressed or conclusion
drawn therein, but approves the study for the purpose of which it is submitted
and which satisfies the requirements laid down by the Research Paper
Committee.

Date: 16
th
May 2014

Submitted by:

Kavya Gupta Guide: Ar. Vijay Matange
Roll no. - 1790701610
2013-2014

External Examiner

Research Paper Co-ordinators

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is a matter of great privilege and honour to express my sincere thanks and
deep sense of gratitude to my guide Ar. Vijay Matange for his invaluable
assistance throughout the semester that reinforced the development of all
aspect of this study.
I would like to thank Ar. Sumant Sharma, the academic coordinator for his
continual input and critical assessment that helped in successful completion of
work. No words are sufficient to express affection and regards to my parents and
friends for their unflinching words of encouragement that made me tide over
moments of stress and enabled me to succeed in this endeavour.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Approval .............................................................................................................................. i
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. iii
List of Figures ...................................................................................................................... v
List of Tables ....................................................................................................................... vi
Abstract ............................................................................................................................. 1
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 4
1.2 Research Questions ............................................................................................... 4
1.3 Hypothesis ............................................................................................................... 5
1.4 Methodology .......................................................................................................... 5
2. Significance of Heritage and Conservation ............................................................. 6
2. 1 Heritage .................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 Conservation .......................................................................................................... 8
3. Heritage Policies ........................................................................................................... 9
3.1 Concept of Buffer Zone ...................................................................................... 11
3.2 Heritage Laws of Delhi ........................................................................................ 15
3.2.1 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and
Remains Act 2010 .................................................................................................... 15
3.2.2 Delhi Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and
Remains Act 2004 .................................................................................................... 18
4. Case Studies ............................................................................................................... 20
4.1 Delhis Heritage .................................................................................................... 21
4.2 Shershah Gate & Khairul Manazil Mosque, Pragati Maidan ......................... 28
4.2.1 Relevance of choosing ................................................................................ 28
4.2.2 Present status ................................................................................................. 28
4.2.3 Historical Background................................................................................... 29
4.2.4 Conservation Objectives ............................................................................. 30
4.2.5 Proposed Heritage Bye Laws ....................................................................... 30
4.2.6 Conservation Approach .............................................................................. 32

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4.2.7 Inferences .................................................................................................. 33
4.3 LIC Building, Connaught Place .......................................................................... 36
4.3.1 Relevance of choosing ................................................................................ 36
4.3.2 Connaught Place ......................................................................................... 36
4.3.3 LIC.................................................................................................................... 37
4.3.4 Inferences ....................................................................................................... 40
5. Conclusions ................................................................................................................. 42
6. Appendices ................................................................................................................. 46
7. Reference list ............................................................................................................... 52
8. Bibliography ................................................................................................................ 53

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 : Relationship between built heritage and surrounding ............................. 13
Figure 2 : Graphical Representation of AMASRA 2010; Source : Google Earth
image ............................................................................................................... 17
Figure 3 : Graphical Representation of DAMASRA 2004; Source : Google Earth
image ............................................................................................................... 19
Figure 4 : Delhi Map highlighting core Delhi having all built heritage, and area
which has been later zoomed in; Source : Author .................................... 21
Figure 5 : Map showing Nominated World Heritage Zones, World and National
Heritage Monuments in area spread from Kamla Nagar to Mehrauli;
Source : Author ............................................................................................... 23
Figure 6 : Map showing Nominated World Heritage Zones, World and National
Heritage Monuments along with prohibited, regulated and buffer
areas, in area spread from Kamla Nagar to Mehrauli;
Source : Author ............................................................................................... 25
Figure 7 : Location Map of Sher Shah Gate and Khairul Manzil Mosque; Source
wonobo.com .................................................................................................. 28
Figure 8 : Sher Shah Gate; Source : commons.wikimedia.org ................................. 29
Figure 9 : Khair ul Manazil Mosque; Source : Author ............................................ 29
Figure 10 : Distribution of regulated zone into 4 for control of height ..................... 30
Figure 11 : Proposed prohibited and regulated areas around Sher Shah
Gate and Khairul Manzil Masjid ................................................................. 32
Figure 12 : Temporary Shed of NDMS; Source : INTACH ............................................ 32
Figure 13 : View of Cars parked from the monument;
Source : www.wikipedia.com..................................................................... 32
Figure 14 : View of the building from monument; Source : INTACH ........................ 32
Figure 15 : Proposed Design for Site by INTACH; Source : INTACH .......................... 33
Figure 16 : Proposal for buffer area of Sher Shah gate and khairul manzil mosque
for their better integration with the urban context; Source : Author .... 35
Figure 17 : Sketch plan of present Connaught place; Source : www.rudi.net ...... 36
Figure 18 : Aerial view of Connaught place;
Source: groupsolus.wordpress.com ........................................................... 37
Figure 19 : Architecture features of Connaught Place; Source : worldtour-
bharat.blogspot.com .................................................................................. 37
Figure 20 : Location plan of LIC; Source: Charles Correa architect in India by
Hasan-uddin-Khan, Public building- LIC Centre, Delhi. .......................... 37
Figure 21 : LIC Building contrasting architecture of Connaught place;
Source : travel.cnn.com ............................................................................. 38
Figure 22 : Roof top plan of LIC; Source: Charles Correa architect in India by
Hasan-uddin-Khan, Public building- LIC Centre, Delhi. .......................... 39

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Figure 23 : View of LIC; Source: Charles Correa architect in India by
Hasan-uddin-Khan,Public building - LIC Centre, Delhi. .......................... 39
Figure 24 : Font view of LIC from central park of Connaught Place;
Source : Bala photo blog, unlimitedperspective.wordpress.com ......... 39
Figure 25 : Skyline of Connaught place; Source : www.touristlink.com .................. 41
Figure 26 : Plan showing LIC building falling in Regulated zone of Jantar Mantar;
Source : Google Earth image ..................................................................... 41
Figure 27 : Plan showing Steinabad falling under regulated zone of Lodhi tombs;
Source : Google Earth image ..................................................................... 45

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Comparison between Connaught place and LIC; Source : Author40

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ABSTRACT

One cannot hope, a city to move into the future if its buildings represent
only the past. And also if we neglect our built heritage, it is to our, and
future generations', detriment. Without the monuments to our past, our
presence has no meaning, uprooted and detached from the succession
of events which carry us into the future.
( Nancy H. Welsh , 2011)
Heritage precincts represent the style of their time. They are unique to us
culturally, aesthetically and historically. Every country owns a set of heritage
precincts which represents their glorious past. And since architecture is
irreplaceable and irreversible, every country is trying their best to conserve them
for benefit of our present and future generations.
Conservation offers this unique opportunity of making our past a part of our
future. Every city has its own set of heritage building laws, to deliver the heritage
in best possible way to our present and future generations. One of the laws that
many cities have is, enforcement of a buffer zone around a heritage building, to
prevent unwelcomed development around it. A buffer zone comprises of either
both prohibited and regulated zone or one of them. No construction is allowed
to take place in a prohibited zone which is considered to be of prime
importance for protection of heritage values of the building; and minimal
construction (according to a set of building guidelines) is allowed in a regulated
zone which is considered to be of secondary importance for the protection of
same.
Existence of these buffer zones might help us by preventing encroachment in
heritage buildings, but somewhere they encourage a gap between our past
and present. They isolate and differentiate the heritage buildings from urban
context as the difference between the historic urban fabric and other get easily
noticeable and often result in making them museums scattered all over the
urban fabric. Even in places where we get a chance to build around a heritage

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building having no buffer zone around it, we end up making buildings which are
sensitive towards the heritage but not true to contemporary architecture. And by
doing so, we end up giving more importance to our past than present.
It is said by many, that new buildings have value only when they present a
challenge to the passing time. Buildings that have been given a status of
heritage today are those representing a unique style which challenges the
present. Therefore in order to make our present a heritage in future, it is our
responsibility to be true to contemporary style. As we all know that if old
represents our memories, then our present also represents our future memories.
In this dissertation focus would be on city of Delhi, which is often referred as
living heritage. It has abundance of heritage buildings spread all over the city.
Being one of the richest cities in the world in terms of historical significance, it is
clear that Delhi cant afford to lose its buildings which represents the citys past.
Recently Ancient monuments and Archaeological Site and Remains act 2010
has been implemented for proper conservation of citys precious world and
national heritage precincts. This law states that each precinct will have a buffer
zone around it, which does not permit any building to come up in proximity to
them. By doing so, we are isolating them from the remaining urban fabric. Many
countries do not encourage a buffer zone around heritage precincts and have
succeeded in giving equal importance to heritage and contemporary
architecture. With abundance of heritage, Delhi has an opportunity to let past
and present survive right next to each other. And in order to make Delhi a world
class city it is important to look at how the area around the heritage precincts
can work efficiently, promoting both heritage and contemporary architecture. If
we do not look into this issue right now then we would only have abundance of
buildings representing our past, and no traces would be seen of contemporary
architecture, which will prevent the city from growing further.

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Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

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1.1 BACKGROUND
Every country has an abundance of heritage precincts which helps them to stay
rooted to what they were and are now today. They are unique to us culturally,
aesthetically and historically. And since architecture is irreplaceable and
irreversible, every country is trying their best to conserve them for benefit of our
present and future generations. A series of heritage laws have been introduced
to conserve them in best possible way.
In an attempt to conserve our past today one shouldnt forget to pave way for
future developments. As it is said, if old represents our memories, then our present
also represents our future memories. Thus, one needs to make sure that
conservation of heritage does not hinder contemporary developments.
The most common law for protection of heritage precincts is enforcement of a
buffer zone around it, which plays a major role in establishing a relationship
between the heritage precincts and contemporary developments.
This research aims to look at this concept of buffer zones more closely to
understand its implementation better. And hopes to investigate the ways via
which a balance between heritage and contemporary architecture can be
attained in a developing city like Delhi which is soon going to be tagged as a
world heritage city.

1.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
This investigation attempts to question the current practice of conservation of
heritage precincts to explore strategies which will not only help in protection of
monuments but will also make sure that they do not remain isolated from their
urban context An exploration of idea of heritage and contemporary
architecture standing next to each other.
Questions aiding this research are :
Why do we need a buffer zone around a heritage monument?

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Do these buffer zones encourage isolation of valued heritage from city
fabric?
In Delhi, do we have the confidence in building a visually bold structure
next to our built heritage?

1.3 HYPOTHESIS
An assertive approach when designing in proximity of heritage buildings can
add more character to the place, respecting both heritage and contemporary
architecture. This needs to be considered, as we always tend to construct a
subtle structure when given an opportunity to construct in proximity of these
building, due to the heritage building laws, which are based on the principle of
giving more importance to future of our past, than future of present.

1.4 METHODOLOGY
The procedure followed is :
1. Understanding heritage and its significance in contemporary world.
2. Significance of a buffer zone around a heritage building.
3. Heritage polices of Delhi (emphasising on policies regarding buffer zones)
4. Case studies :
I. Shershah gate & Khairul manazil mosque, Pragati Maidan
II. LIC Building, Connaught place
5. Concluding the nature of buffer zones in Delhi and how a balance can be
established between heritage and contemporary architecture.

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Chapter 2
SIGNIFICANCE
OF HERITAGE AND CONSERVATION

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2. 1 HERITAGE

Heritage is anything that people want to inherit, due to its uniqueness. It can be
a building, an object, or traditions and cultures. In architecture heritage
resources are built and natural features possessing, a unique set of social,
spiritual, historical, architectural, artistic, aesthetical, natural, scenic, scientific
and cultural significance. In UNSECOs 1972 charter, Heritage has been defined
as,
Groups of buildings, separate or connected, which because of their
architecture, their homogeneity or their place in the landscape, are of
outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or
science.
(Basic Texts of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, p.10)

Many buildings and precincts have been identified all over the world having
atleast one or combination of values mentioned above. According to richness of
these values, they have been classified into different classes, specifying varying
importance of them. There are heritage monuments, archaeological parks and
heritage cities having world, national, state and local importance.
The built heritage of the city is an irreplaceable and a non-renewable resource.
Apart from being a part of every days life they have educational and
recreational potentials attached to them. They help in enhancing citys
environment, giving it identity and character. Interestingly, if we look at the
places that visitors choose to see when travelling to any city in the world, one
would notice that it includes the old parts and inner parts of the city in order to
feel the true culture of the city. One relates heritage to true culture of city. Also
these heritage precincts, act as assets for the city by promoting tourism.

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2.2 CONSERVATION

Conservation involves identifying heritage resources, interpreting their
signification and protecting and using them in best possible way to serve both
individual and community needs. It is a tool through which one can preserve a
heritage building to its original form. And at the same time, enable them to
adapt to evolving culture of changing societies.
Main Objectives of conservation are:
Retaining visual identity
Today in this globalising world, visual spaces around us are rapidly becoming
homogenised. Thus, in order to retain the unique visual identity of a place we
need to maintain the original visual appearance of architectural precincts.
Protection from unwanted encroachments
Our historical precincts need to be protected from their misuse in order to
protect its architectural elements and to maintain the ambience of the
precinct.

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Chapter 3
HERITAGE POLICIES

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As mentioned above, main aim of conservation is to retain outstanding universal
value of heritage buildings. But due to differences in the cultural, social and
economic aspects of the cities, every city has a different set of laws and
regulations which it follows. In a city as well, every heritage building has
its own significance and is present in a unique urban context. Thus the attention
that each one of them demands also varies. Therefore the heritage
policies should be such that it can take care of varying demands of heritage
buildings.
The protection of cultural heritage is an integrated approach in which
nature meets culture, the past meets the present and the monumental
and movable heritage meets the intangible, the protection of cultural
heritage, as an expression of living culture, contributes to the
development of societies.
(http://www.unesco.org/en/cultural-diversity/heritage)

Therefore when we talk about protection of a heritage building, only the building
cant be of prime importance. The area around it which leads us towards it is
also equally important and needs to be protected. Thus we need a protection
zone around it. Nature of this protection zone varies for different cities according
to the policies that they follow. A good policy for protection zone is the one
which provides flexibility in terms of its nature, usage and construction. These
protection zones are termed Buffer zones. They are often referred as transition
zones as well.
Over many years numerous international conservation guidelines by UNSECO
have been drawn out in order to help cities to conserve universal values of their
world historic sites and have proposed the need of having a buffer zone around
the heritage to protect it from all negative influences, but it is not mandatory.
Many World Heritage properties face problems that are directly or indirectly
linked to the situation of their buffer zone. On one hand, new constructions within

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a buffer zone may have an impact on the World Heritage precinct and could
threaten its Outstanding Universal Value and on the other hand, non-legalisation
and poor management a buffer zone can impact the conservation and
protection of heritage precinct. Therefore it is important to look at what these
buffer zones are all about.

3.1 CONCEPT OF BUFFER ZONE
In everyday life the word buffer zone is referred as a zone which separates two
incompatible objects, and provides protection to them from one another. In
heritage field, buffer zones have a deeper meaning, even though the basic
concept remains the same, of separating the heritage building from the city
fabric and hence protecting it from negative influences of city.
The main document in field of conservation of heritage which deals with
implementation and issues of buffer zones is Operational Guidelines for the
implementation of World heritage Convention from UNSECO. Concept of buffer
zones was first introduced in 1977, and was initially implemented around a
natural heritage site in order to protect it from human use. Soon after, in year
2000, buffer zones of minimum 200-400 metres started getting established around
many cultural heritage sites.
In the latest 2005 Operation guideline, buffer zone has been defined as follows:
For the purposes of effective protection of the nominated property, a
buffer zone is an area surrounding the nominated property which has
complementary legal and/or customary restrictions placed on its use and
development to give an added layer of protection to the property. This
should include the immediate setting of the nominated property,
important views and other areas or attributes that are functionally
important as a support to the property and its protection. The area
constituting the buffer zone should be determined in each case through
appropriate mechanisms. Details on the size, characteristics and
authorized uses of a buffer zone, as well as a map indicating the precise

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boundaries of the property and its buffer zone should be provided in the
nomination.
(World Heritage papers 25 - World Heritage and
Buffer Zones - International Expert Meeting on
World Heritage and Buffer Zones Davos, 2008, p. 26)

From the above definition it is clear that a buffer zone implementation has
certain benefits associated with it. Some of them can be listed as follows :
They act as an added layer of protection, supporting outstanding universal
values of heritage building.
These zones mostly landscaped, help in adding value and beauty to heritage
by integrating it with nature. This also helps in strengthening the existence and
distinctive character of heritage building.
They provide protection from negative influences of city like encroachment
by people, pollution etc.
Since regulations and laws are set up for any construction in these zones, it
helps in achieving visual integrity.
It provides an opportunity to link heritage with the urban context in all
aspects (culturally, visually, economically etc.)

Apart from these benefits that one can get, there are a set of disadvantages
linked to the buffer zone; some of them are listed below:
Buffer zones create a physical divide between the heritage and the urban
context in which it has grown since hundreds of years. This division helps in
making a clear distinction between the two objects and hence its separation
often results in conversion of these heritage buildings into museums. Therefore
promoting differences in past and present, rather than making past a part of
present.

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This isolation can change the perspective of people about their heritage.
They might tend to think that they are only a symbol of our past and have no
function of its own.
Buffer zones focus more on the maintenance of the heritage building than its
context, which deprive the context from evolving its own unique style, as
many restrictions are enforced to maintain and enhance value of heritage.
These zones give rise to setting (setting is a zone of secondary importance
around a heritage which is much larger than buffer zones and help in
supporting buffer zones, the area of prime importance) therefore it is clear
that a large part of area around the heritage is not flexible to change.

Buffer zones can be effective if their size, characteristics, use is properly analysed
for every heritage site before its implementation. And for doing so we need to be
clear of, what kind of relationship city wants to establish between the heritage
and its surrounding urban fabric. Broadly these zones can help in establishing
three kinds of relationships

Figure 1: Relationship between built heritage and surrounding
urban fabric via different kinds of buffers ; Source : Author

Clear Separation :
Buffer zone is introduced to keep the two at a distance from each other, having
a common green space in between them which they share. This type of
separation intends to acknowledge both heritage and context as two separate

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identities, and gives far more importance in maintaining the identity of heritage
than development of context.
Gradual Change :
Buffer zone acts as a flexible area which takes care of needs of both, the
heritage and context. It results in formation of types of buildings which are an
amalgamation of heritage building style and contemporary style. It acts as a
perfect transition zone between the past and present, but results in development
of buildings having similar appearance.
No barrier or Separation :
Buffer zone in this case does segregate the heritage and context by a minimal
distance. Structures are encouraged to exist in close proximity to each other,
and thus making both share a common context. This approach leaves a little
buffer zone for conservation and helps in acting as an appropriate protective
barrier.

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3.2 HERITAGE LAWS OF DELHI
The agencies concerned with the protection of Delhis Built Heritage are
Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) under Ministry of Urban Development,
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State Archaeological Department, Govt. of
NCT of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), MCD (EDMC, SDMC, NDMC),
Cantonment Board, Delhi, INTACH, Aga Khan Trust.
ASI protects monuments having national significance following the Ancient
Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and
Validation) Act, 2010, and the GNCTD protects monuments of State level
significance following Delhi Ancient and Historical Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 2005. The MCD and NDMC protect
monuments of local level significance following the Building Byelaws defined
under the Delhi Development Act, 1957.

3.2.1 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 2010
In Delhi, there are 175 heritage monuments of world and /or national importance
which are protected under this law. The law states implementation of a buffer
zone having two layers of protecting zones, viz. prohibited zone and regulated
zone.
In the gazette of India, the law has been stated as follows :
20 A
Every area beginning at the limit of the protected area or the protected
monument, as the case may be, and extending to a distance of one
hundred metres in all directions shall be the prohibited area in respect of
such protected area or protected monument. Provided that the central
Government may, on the Recommendation of the authority, by
notification in the Official Gazette, specify an area more than one
hundred metres to be prohibited area having regard to the classification
of any protected monument or protected area, as the case may be,

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under section 4A.No person other than an archaeological officer, shall
carry out and construction in any prohibited zone.
20 B
Every area beginning at the limit of prohibited area in respect of every the
protected ancient monument and archaeological site and remains,
declared as of national importance under section 3 and 4and extending
to a distance of two hundred metres in all directions shall be the
regulated area in respect of every ancient monument and
archaeological site and remains. Provided that the central Government
may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify an area more than
two hundred metres to be the regulated area having regard to the
classification of any protected monument or protected area, as the case
may be, under section 4A.
20 C
(1) Any person, who owns and building or structure, which existed in a
prohibited area before the 16th day of June 1992, or, which had been
subsequently constructed with the approval of the Director-General and
desires to carry out any repair and renovation of such building or structure
may make an application to the competent authority for carrying out
such repair or renovation, as the case maybe.
(2) Any person who owns or possess any building or structure or land in
any regulated area, and desires to carry out any construction or re-
construction or repair or renovation of such building or structure on such
land, as the case maybe, may make an application to the competent
authority for carrying out construction or reconstruction or repair or
renovation, as the case maybe.
(The Gazette of India, Extra Ordinary, part II, Section I, 2010, p.2)

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Heritage Bye laws for each of the protected monument and areas are drawn
individually by a heritage body notified by central government. These laws
include matter related to heritage control of the area, such as
Height
Facades Material and Architectural Elements
Drainage systems
Roads and service infrastructure (including electric poles, water and
sewer pipelines etc.)
Boundary around the protected monument

The Ancient monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains act 2010,
diagrammatically can be represented as,

Figure 2 : Graphical Representation of AMASRA 2010;
Source : Google Earth image

The prohibited zone, where no new construction is allowed, acts as a barrier
between the heritage building and context via a green space in case of
presence of open land around the heritage building. And regulated zone
ensures construction of similar kinds of buildings (similar height, elevation etc.)
leading to formation of a homogenous space.

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3.2.2 DELHI ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL
SITES AND REMAINS ACT 2004
This Act provides preservation of Ancient and Historical Monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains other than those declared to be of national
importance in Delhi. The law states implementation of a buffer zone having two
layers of protecting zones, viz. prohibited zone and regulated zone.
In the gazette of India, the law has been stated as follows :
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An area up to fifty meters from the protected limits of monument shall be
declared as prohibited area for any construction and mining activities
near or adjoining protected monuments and further beyond it up to one
hundred meters as regulated area in which construction and mining
activities can be undertaken only after getting permission of the
Government and further subject to any rules made under this Act
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If the Government is of opinion that for the purpose of preserving the
reasonable amenities of any protected monument, it is necessary so to
do, the Government may, subject to the provisions of this section, by
notification in the official Gazette, in respect of any area comprising or
adjacent to the site of such monument, specified in such notification
(hereinafter referred to as the controlled area) -
a) Prohibit or restrict the construction, erection or execution of building,
structure and other work within the controlled area, or the alteration or
extension of any such building, structure, or work in such manner as to
materially affect their external appearance;
b) Prescribe the position, height, site, materials, colour and screening and
otherwise regulate the external appearance of buildings, structures
and other work within the controlled area;
c) require any local authority

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i. To construct any approach road to any protected monument;
or
ii. To demolish any public convenience vesting in it, that is to say,
a latrine, urinal, dustbin, rubbish dump and the like, located
close to or in the vicinity of any protected monument;
d) Otherwise restrict the use of the land within the controlled area;
e) Otherwise restrict the use of the land within the controlled area to such
extent as is necessary for the purpose of preserving the reasonable
amenities of the protected monument; and
f) Provide for such matters as appear to the Government to be
incidental to or consequential on the foregoing provisions of this
section, or to be necessary for giving effect to those provisions.
(Department of Law, Justice and Legislative
Affairs Notification, Delhi Act 9 of 2005, 2005, p. 6)

The Delhi Ancient and Historical monuments and Archaeological Sites and
Remains act 2004, diagrammatically can be represented as,

Figure 3 : Graphical Representation of DAMASRA 2004;
Source : Google Earth image

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Chapter 4
CASE STUDIES

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4.1 DELHIS HERITAGE
Delhi has evolved over a long period of time and today is one of the few cities
having a rich diversity of culture and traditions. Delhi has been a capital of 16
cities6 and as a result has large number of significant heritage resources, dating
from the 11th century onwards
scattered in area between
Mehrauli and Kamla Nagar. Today
these historic remains not only form,
an integral component of the
contemporary city, but also are of
immense historical, archaeological,
architectural, functional, economic,
recreational and educational value
to the citizens.

Statistics of built and natural heritage of Delhi are as follows :
Heritage monuments - 1208
World heritage monuments - 3
Heritage monuments having national importance - 168
Heritage monuments having state and local importance - 1038

Heritage Zones - 15
Walled City of Delhi, Shahjahanabad
Central Vista
Nizamuddin and Humayuns Tomb Complex
Qutab Complex World Heritage Site and Mehrauli area
Vijay Mandal Begumpur Sarai Shahji Lal Gumbad
Chirag Delhi
Delhi University and Northern Ridge
Figure 4 : Delhi Map highlighting core Delhi having
all built heritage, and area which has been later
zoomed in; Source : Author

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Lutyens Delhi including: Connaught Place, Gole Market Area
Barracks, Lutyens
Bungalow Zone and Safdarjangs Tomb, Lodhi Garden and Delhi Golf
Club
Firozabad Firoz Shah Kotla
Purana Quila, Delhi Zoo and Sundar Nursery
Hauz Khas Deer Park
Tughlaquabad Adilabad Nai ka Kot
Delhi Cantonment Area

Archaeological parks 3
Mehrauli
Tughlaquabad
Sultan Garhi

On the next page is Delhi map showing Nominated World Heritage Zones and;
World and National Heritage monuments under protection of ASI (Refer to
appendix A for names and locations)

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Figure 5 : Map showing Nominated World Heritage Zones, World and National Heritage
Monuments in area spread from Kamla Nagar to Mehrauli; Source : Author

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In order to conserve such large heritage typologies spread all over Delhi as
visible in above plan, many agencies are very energetically working for their
conservation. Various acts like Ancient Monuments and archaeological Sites and
remains Act 2010, Delhi Ancient and Heritage Monuments and archaeological
Sites and remains Act 2004, Delhi Development Act, Development in Special
zones etc. have been implemented for conservation of these valuable heritage
precincts. Also Delhi has been nominated for world heritage city for which four
area have been nominated viz. Mehrauli, Nizamuddin, Shahjahanabad and
Lutyens Delhi.
In Delhi, for protection of all heritage precincts holding world and national
importance, implementation of buffer zones has been made compulsory. The
Following map shows the 170 national heritage precincts and 4 nominated zones
along with their buffer zones.

Area Calculation:
Delhi . 148300 Hectare
Nominated Zones :
Protected Area . 3335 Hectare
Mehrauli - 330.55 Hectare
Nizamuddin - 363.72 Hectare
Shahjahanabad - 673.27 Hectare
Lutyens Delhi - 1967.45 Hectare
Buffer zone 2006 .23 Hectare
National Heritage Precincts :
Protected Area . 159.33 Hectare
Prohibited Zone .... 830.78 Hectare
Regulated Zone ... 2454.34 Hectare

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Figure 6 : Map showing Nominated World Heritage Zones, World and National Heritage
Monuments along with prohibited, regulated and buffer areas, in area spread
from Kamla Nagar to Mehrauli; Source : Author

26

Heritage bye laws for prohibited zones of all 170 national protected monuments
under ASI, would be drawn individually for each monument by INTACH. Building
Bye-laws for the nominated zones, buffer zone, and regulated zone would follow
laws proposed in Handbook of Conservation of heritage Buildings, CPWD, which
are as follows :
Restrictions on development / re-development / repairs etc.
No development or redevelopment or engineering operation or additions
/ alterations, repairs, renovations including painting of the building,
replacement of special features or plastering or demolition of any part
thereof of the said listed buildings or listed precincts or listed natural
feature areas shall be allowed except with the prior permission of
Commissioner, Municipal Corporation /Vice Chairman, Development
Authority.
Alteration / modification / relaxation in development norms
On the advice of the said Heritage Conservation Committee to be
appointed by the Government and for reasons to be recorded in writing,
the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation / Vice Chairman, Development
Authority shall follow the procedure as per Development Authority Act, to
alter, modify or relax the Development Control Norms prescribed in the
Master Plan, if required, for the conservation or preservation or retention of
historic or aesthetic or cultural or architectural or environmental quality of
any heritage site.
Incentive uses for heritage buildings
In cases of buildings located in non-commercial use zones included in the
Heritage Conservation List, if the owner / owners agree to maintain the
listed heritage building as it is in the existing state and to preserve its
heritage state with due repairs and the owner / owners / lessees give a
written undertaking to that effect, the owner / owners / lessees may be
allowed with the approval of the Heritage Conservation Committee within
permissible use zone to convert part or whole thereof of the non-
commercial area within such a heritage building to commercial/office

27

use/hotel. Provided that if the heritage building is not maintained suitably
or if the heritage value of the building is spoiled in any manner, the
commercial / office / hotel use shall be disallowed.
Maintaining skyline and architectural harmony
After the guidelines are framed, buildings within heritage precincts or in
the vicinity of heritage sites shall maintain the skyline in the precinct and
follow the architectural style (without any high-rise or multi-storeyed
development) as may be existing in the surrounding area, so as not to
diminish or destroy the value and beauty of or the view from the said
heritage sites. The development within the precinct or in the vicinity of
heritage sites shall be in accordance with the guidelines framed by the
Commissioner, Municipal Corporation / Vice- Chairman, Development
Authority on the advice of the Heritage Conservation Committee or
separate regulations / guidelines, if any, prescribed for respective zones
by Municipal Corporation / Development Authority.
Approval to preserve the beauty of the area
The Heritage Conservation Committee shall have the power to direct,
especially in areas designated by them, that the exterior design and
height of buildings should have their approval to preserve the beauty of
the area.
Signs and outdoor display structures / including street furniture on
heritage sites
Commissioner, Municipal Corporation/ Vice- Chairman, Development
Authority on the advice of the Heritage Conservation Committee shall
frame regulations or guidelines to regulate signs, outdoor display structures
and street furniture on heritage sites.
(Chapter 7 : Model Building Bye-laws,, p. 17-20)

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4.2 SHERSHAH GATE & KHAIRUL MANAZIL MOSQUE, PRAGATI MAIDAN

4.2.1 Relevance of choosing
Shershah gate and Khairul manazil mosque are first two heritage monuments of
national importance for which INTACH has released heritage bye laws. By
studying these laws, one would attempt to look at its influence on the nature of
buffer zones and development around these monuments.

4.2.2 Present status
The monuments Sher Shah Gate and Khairul
Manazil mosque are located in Pragati Maidan
and have Purana Qila and Delhi zoo in close
proximity to them. It attracts some visitors who
come to visit Purana Qila and the mosque which
is still used to offer namaaz to Allah attracts few
more visitors. But at the same time due to traffic
intersection on one side of the monument and
heavy traffic on the road in front leads to many
visitors in skipping these monuments. One of the
heritage walks conducted by INTACH covers
these monumnets as well.
Sher Shah Gate and Khairul Manzil mosque along with Purana Qila forms a
precinct of historical monuments of the period of Sher Shah Suri. Both these
monuments have been recognised as A-Grade Monuments (that is, are of
national importance) by ASI and are protected under AMARS Act 2010.

Figure 7 : Location Map of
Sher Shah Gate and Khairul
Manzil Mosque;
Source : wonobo.com

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4.2.3 Historical Background
Sher Shah Gate :
Gateway is believed to mark southern edge of Sher Shahs city of Shergarh
which was constructed around 1545 AD. Remains of fortified wall of Shergarh are
still seen attached to the gate. Also on either sides of the road leading south
from the gate, there are remains of arcades that are assumed to have been
rows of shops. Gateway along with the old fort formed an important cultural
landscape of Sher Shah Suri era. The gate is often referred as Lal Darwaza due to
the red sandstone which has been used as decorative accent to the grey
quartzite from which the structure has been constructed. One can also see
ornamental stone inlay and tile work done on the gate for decoration. One
could see the huge gateway reminding of existence of Shergarh city while
passing across Mathura road, until Aug 2012, when the gateway was found to
be unstable. Today, unfortunately, the Sher Shah Gate is found to be partially
filled with bricks, making it unpleasant to look at.

Khair-ul-Manazil mosque:
It is the Mughal-period madrasa and a mosque, built by Akbars wet nurse,
Maham Anga in 1561-1562 AD. The mosque is still used to offer namaaz. ASI tried
to ban it in 1992 stating that it is causing damage to the monument but didnt
succeed in doing so. The namazis also act as part-time attendants and one can
Figure 9 : Khair ul Manazil Mosque;
Source : Author
Figure 8 : Sher Shah Gate;
Source : commons.wikimedia.org

30

see them in good numbers in mornings and evenings. Also there is a hauz inside
the monument which is not functional anymore.

4.2.4 Conservation Objectives
Main objectives are as follows:
Maintaining architectural, historical and archaeological value of monument.
Safeguarding them from negative influences of development pressures,
urbanization, population pressures.
Visibility from the monument or area and visibility from regulated area.
Land use of surrounding area need to be such that it enhances the
experience of the monument.
Due to presence of a number of isolated monuments along Sher Shah Suri
Marg, there is a possibility to find archaeological remains in future; therefore
any future construction should not prevent digging of regulated area.
Integrating it to surrounding monuments.
Maintaining the skyline visible from the monument and regulated area.
Maintain homogeneity in buildings in regulated zone.
Spreading awareness and increasing participation of citizens in conservation
of the monuments.

4.2.5 Proposed Heritage Bye Laws
Details of heritage bye laws as proposed by INTACH
are as follows:
The maximum permissible heights for
buildings in the Regulated Zone are:
RZ-1 - 7.5 meters
RZ-2 - 30.0 meters
RZ-3 - 3.5 meters
RZ-4 - as per prevailing Building Byelaws
Figure 10 : Distribution of
regulated zone into 4 for
control of height

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The regulation of height as above should restrict the FAR as per the
Building Bye-laws and Master Plan for Delhi 2021.
The open spaces shall be appropriately landscaped to integrate the
visual image and experience of the influence zone of the monument.
Uniform signage as approved by ASI to be provided in the influence
zone of the monument.
No construction of any type or nature shall be allowed in prohibited
area of 100 metres from the protected monument in contravention to
the AMASR Act and Rules and any temporary or permanent structure
already constructed shall be removed forthwith.
No encroachment on public land of whatsoever nature shall be
allowed.
No unauthorized or illegal activity of whatsoever nature shall be
allowed in the prohibited or regulated area.
No dustbin (Dhalao), hoarding or vending - even authorized shall be
allowed within 100 meters of the protected area especially on
Shershah Suri Marg and Mathura Road.
The roofs are to be designed in such a manner that water tanks, pipes,
cables and other structures are not unaesthetically exposed.
The colour and building material on the exterior of the building within
Regulated Area should be in harmony with existing developments.
The premises shall be used for prescribed purposes only and no
negative trade or usages like godown, warehouse etc., shall be
allowed which may affect adversely the ambience around the site.
The development within the High Court Complex is currently very
chaotic and disturbs the ambience of the monument. The
development of this complex should be rationalized to remove
temporary structure, vehicle parking etc. and appropriately
landscaped to positively contribute to the ambience of the
monument. The existing Mosque within the High Court campus should
be conserved and the area around it appropriately landscaped after
removing the parking of vehicles in its vicinity.

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All new construction in the Regulated Zone and any proposed
reconstruction should be as per the provisions of MCD Act and MPD
2021 and the Heritage Bye-laws.
(2012, p. 20-22)

4.2.6 Conservation Approach
Under AMARS Act 2010, Sher Shah Gate
and Khairul Manzil mosque have a
designated prohibited zone of 100m and a
regulated zone of 200 m around it.
Heritage bye laws for these zones have
been proposed after a thorough survey of
protected monuments, existing buildings
(and their functions) and activities
present in surrounding regulated areas.
Focus has been given to sites visible from the protected monument which
interferes with the ambience of the monument.

Figure 11 : Proposed prohibited and
regulated areas around Sher Shah
Gate and Khairul Manzil Masjid
Figure 14 : Temporary Shed of
NDMS; Source : INTACH

Figure 13 : View of the building
from monument;
Source : INTACH

Figure 12 : View of Cars parked
from the monument;
Source : www.wikipedia.com

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Due to presence of protected open areas of Purana Qila and zoo on eastern
and south eastern sides of the monuments, and Purana Qila also representing
the Sher Shah Suris era an attempt has been made to integrate them via proper
landscape of open spaces.

Figure 15 : Proposed Design for Site by INTACH;
Source : INTACH
In order to maintain uniform skyline in the area and to ensure visibility of desired
elements from the protected area of monuments, heights have been decided
for any future construction that might be allowed to take place in regulated
area.

4.2.7 Inferences
Sher shah suri gate and Khairul manzil mosque being smaller monuments go
unnoticed as they lie on a high traffic road and are in close proximity to old fort,
a larger monument providing better recreational opportunities. For encouraging
usage of sher shah gate and khairul manzil mosque, there is an instant need to
first increase awareness about these smaller monuments among public. The
heritage walks initiated by INTACH is one step which has led to increased

34

awareness of these monuments among citizens and has improved number of
visitors to the place. But this does not ensure regular visit of citizens and for that
we need to introduce a public function within the boundary of these monuments
which shall increase its usability and ensure protection of them.
Secondly the laws proposed are way too rigid. They will encourage homogenous
buildings to come up in the regulated areas. We all know that an area evolves
over time, and people connect to it by using and changing it according to
changing society and requirements, but implementation of these laws do not
leave any room for change. In a way the rigidity of laws are proposing freezing
of the surroundings along with the monuments. These laws need to be relaxed a
bit to provide flexibility for changes and developments that will not only help in
protection of the monuments but will also play a role in improving the quality of
life.
The laws also talk about the visual elements that one gets to see from the
monument and has accordingly restricted the heights so that they do not
deteriorate the ambience of the monument, but they do not talk about the view
that one gets of these monuments while standing on the road. One sees them
through high metal fences, used to demarcate the physical boundary of
protected zone of monument. This view through the metal fences not only
highlights the fact that the building is old, but also strengthens the gap between
our past and present by propagating the idea of them being the live museums
or objects in space.
The heritage laws are encouraging buffer zones of the type which highlights two
separate entities viz. the monument and its urban context having a common
green in between. An attempt to integrate the monument with its context via
landscaping the common green area in between is not sufficient in a city like
Delhi, where people dont even know about the abundance of heritage that
the city has. People will hardly bother about these small landscaped areas due
to availability of much larger and well landscaped greens in the city until and

35

unless these smaller greens or/ and monuments offers the people which a
function that will improve their quality of life.
One of the solution for Sher Shah gate and Khairul Manzil mosque for better
integration with the surroundings, which will not only ensure its protection but will
also increase its usability is as given below :

Figure 16 : Proposal for buffer area of Sher Shah gate and khairul manzil mosque
for their better integration with the urban context; Source : Author

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4.3 LIC BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE

4.3.1 Relevance of choosing
LIC building is perhaps the most noticeable building marking a stark contrast to
its heritage context of Connaught place. Through this study one would attempt
to analyse as to how an assertive approach of designing in a heritage precinct
can add character to it.

4.3.2 Connaught Place
4.3.2.1 Construction
The Master Plan for lutyens zone was prepared in 1912-13 by British architects
Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker in which Connaught place was proposed as
partially commercial and partially residential area.
After the completion of lutyens zone in 1944, construction of high rise building
in it were banned.
In 1970s permission was given to construct high rise in the heritage zone of
lutyens Delhi. This relaxation allowed many high rise buildings to come up in
and around Connaught place, which
changed the skyline of Connaught place
completely.
In 1988, lutyens zone was declared a heritage
zone, prohibiting building activities within it. It
meant that incase any building or a future
development is permitted within this area, it
would have to match with original parameters
of design, materials, landscaping and building
techniques. And now this zone has been
nominated for world heritage site.

Figure 17 : Sketch plan of
present Connaught place;
Source : www.rudi.net

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4.3.2.2 Architectural Vocabulary :
Connaught Place is designed in the shape of a horse shoe. Have 3 circles
outer, middle and inner.
Consist of two storeyed building, with a double height colonnaded passage
at the ground level.
Architecture followed in the whole circle is monotonous, thus one finds it
difficult to orient themselves.

4.3.3 LIC
4.3.3.1 Location
LIC building is located in outer circle of
Connaught place to right of the central axis
connecting shahajanbad to parliament house,
built in year 1986 and designed by architect
Charles Correa.

Figure 18 : Aerial view of Connaught place;
Source : groupsolus.wordpress.com
Figure 19 : Architecture features of
Connaught Place; Source : worldtour-
bharat.blogspot.com
Figure 20 : Location plan of LIC;
Source: Charles Correa architect in
India by Hasan-uddin-Khan, Public
building- LIC Centre, Delhi.

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4.3.3.2 Relevance of Building
LIC building is often referred as New Delhis new monument. Due to its location,
it acts as a transition between the low rise Connaught Place and high rise towers.
Due to its contrasting architectural vocabulary from rest of the Connaughts
place, it has always been in a debate, some appreciates while others criticises.
In few newspaper articles, writers mention different views of people about the
LIC. Some of them are as follows:
Its a really cool building and is pretty modern. It makes for a good view
in Connaught Place.
(New Delhis new monument, Hindustan Times, 2010)

The LIC building is a great piece of architecture. Amid the old buildings
of Connaught Place (CP), it juts out like a paean to the need of modern
times and gives a hint of the new-century skyline that may follow in the
years ahead. Have you noticed that it is just across the road from the very
colonial-looking Regal cinema building? The contrast could not be starker
and yet it is so aesthetically pleasing.
Figure 21 : LIC Building contrasting architecture of
Connaught place; Source : travel.cnn.com

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"The building has got great location as well as aesthetics ,"
(LIC tower to host unique dance, Times of India, 2010)

Its ugly. It doesnt gel with the surroundings. The high-rise has no
relevance to CPs architecture where buildings were never supposed to
be multi-storied.

4.3.3.3 Design Principles and Architectural Vocabulary
Building has been aliened to the axis linking shahjahanbad and parliament
house.

Figure 23 : View of LIC; Source: Charles Correa
architect in India by Hasan-uddin-Khan,
Public building - LIC Centre, Delhi.
Figure 22 : Roof top plan of LIC; Source: Charles
Correa architect in India by Hasan-uddin-Khan,
Public building- LIC Centre, Delhi.
Figure 24 : Font view of LIC from central park of Connaught Place;
Source : Bala photo blog, unlimitedperspective.wordpress.com

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It comprises of two building blocks which are connected through a 98 metre
long steel frame, designed to act as a gateway for pedestrians.
It has a glass Faade facing the Connaught place to reflect its buildings and
trees. While rest of the building is cladded with red sand stone, to link it with
Delhis heritage which has immense use of red sandstone.
Building due to its height, massive space frame, large flight of steps in front,
contrasting red colour and curtain glass wall gives monumental scale to the
building.

4.3.4 Inferences

Connaught Place LIC
Year of Completion 1933 1986
Height G +1 G + 12
Colour White Red
Building Materials Brick, Lime, Paint, Glass
Red sandstone, Glass
and steel
Architectural
Vocabulary
Colonnades, Circular
columns, Circular arches,
Glass windows
Space frame, one large
triangular column, stone
cladding

Table 1 : Comparison between Connaught place and LIC; Source : Author

From above table it is clear that LIC building stands out in Connaught place due
to its contrasting nature with its heritage context. And at the same time it is
interesting to note that LIC building design has been inspired from various
traditional elements of Delhi like the gateway, axis connecting Shahjahanabad
to Parliament house and traditional materials like sandstone etc. The design also
displays sensitivity to its context via an attempt to reflect the buildings and
landscape of Connaught place through its glass facade and emphasising on
the fact that past will always be an integral part of present.

41

One cannot deny the fact that LIC acts as the landmark for Connaught Place
and gives its users a sense of direction due to its easy visibility from every point in
the circle and its different built edges viz. glass faade on one side and a
triangular column on other.
Even though its construction led to major alteration in the skyline of Connaught
place and broke the monotonous architectural vocabulary of 2 storeys white
built it has succeeded in adding more character to the place. LIC building is
perhaps an only example of assertive construction in close proximity to heritage
in Delhi, giving respect to the heritage of its context and at the same time
marking its presence through its contrasting modern architectural vocabulary.

Looking at larger context of LIC building one can notice that LIC building falls
in regulated zone of a national heritage
monument - Jantar mantar. But in reality it is
difficult to figure it out since there is no
connection between the two as one cannot
establish any visual connection between them
and architectural vocabulary of LIC has no
adverse effect on heritage value of jantar
mantar, instead its a pleasant site, to sight
buildings of different era while moving along the
Sansad Marg road.
Figure 25 : Skyline of Connaught place; Source : www.touristlink.com
Figure 26 : Plan showing LIC building
falling in Regulated zone of Jantar
Mantar; Source : Google Earth image

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Chapter 5
CONCLUSIONS

43

Buffer zones are an important management tool to protect heritage monuments
and sites all over the world. In Delhi, we follow a system of buffer zones having
two levels, viz. prohibited zone and regulated zone.
In past years, many monuments have been harmed by invasion of people into
the monuments, which has resulted into more striker rules regarding the buffer
zones. The radii of both prohibited and regulated zones have been doubled to
ensure greater protection of the monuments from further human
encroachments. Further, according to the grade of the monuments and sites the
radii of buffer zones have been fixed. What the system fails to look at is the
varying sizes of the monuments falling under the same grade. Be it a bigger
monument or smaller one both have 100 m radii prohibited zone and 200 m radii
regulated zone for monuments having national importance. In Delhi out of 174
national heritage monuments under ASI, many monuments are of a size of
approximately 5 by 5 metres. And they actually do not require such large buffer
zones around them for their proper protection. What is required is striker
implementation of the laws rather than blindly increasing the size of buffer.
The buffer zones set limits to protect views, settings, land use and other aspects,
keeping in mind the monument. The heritage bye laws for these areas aims at
achieving homogeneity around them and promotes monuments to stand apart
as strangers in their own green buffer, bounded within a fixed boundary wall
separated from the city. It is strengthening the gap between our past and
present by highlighting the monument and context as two different entities.
Monuments are being looked upon as live museums.
It is clear that Delhi follows a very monument centric approach for conservation
of its built heritage and heritage laws are way too rigid. What one is failing to
realise is that historicity not only lies in these monuments alone but in the whole
city. In order to stay connected to the past and yet progress it is important to
work towards conservation and improvement of whole city.In order to achieve it
we need to rethink our heritage laws to make them more flexible so that they
take into consideration not only built heritage but the whole city to improve the

44

quality of life and live up to the true cultural trait of Delhi of having Diversity in
every field be it architectural buildings, religion or cultural values.
The monument centric approach also encourages people to believe that
heritage is of prime importance and not the contemporary development of the
city, thus many people finds it difficult to give respect to heritage and the people
who respects does not encourages people to play around with contemporary
styles in Delhi. As today we stand on the platform of getting the tag of living
heritage and at the same time are developing at a fast pace it is important to
think about what we want to be in future. We should make people aware of
heritage of the city and at the same time encourage people to learn from it and
develop a new contemporary style. Recently an attempt has been initiated to
recognise modern heritage of Delhi as well to strengthen contemporary style of
Delhi as well, which is a great step to think about the future of past and present
both. LIC being one of the buildings to get title of modern heritage may not be a
perfect example of a contemporary building adding more character to its
heritage context, but encouragement and recognition of such attempts would
only allow Delhi to find a way to be sensitive towards heritage and yet being true
to contemporary architecture.
It is important to look at how the area around the heritage precincts can work
efficiently, promoting both heritage and contemporary architecture. If we do
not look into this issue right now then we would only have abundance of
buildings representing our past, and no traces would be seen of contemporary
architecture, which will prevent the city from growing further. Nancy H welsh in
one of the writings stated,
One cannot hope, a city to move into the future if its buildings represent
only the past. And also if we neglect our built heritage, it is to our, and
future generations', detriment. Without the monuments to our past, our
presence has no meaning, uprooted and detached from the succession
of events which carry us into the future.
( Nancy H. Welsh , 2011)

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An assertive approach when designing in proximity of heritage buildings gives us
an opportunity to add to the character to a place.
This needs to be considered, as we always tend to construct a subtle structure
when given an opportunity to construct in proximity of these building, due to the
heritage building laws, which are based on the principle of giving more
importance to future of our past. Two contrasting structures standing next to
each other will also add surprise element to the place. This concept of
integrating old and new should be introduced in the laws itself. Efforts need to be
made to make heritage precincts a part of our daily social life to allow, both
heritage and development to go hand in hand. One needs to make sure that
none of them overpowers others presence. One should encourage adaptive
reuse of these monuments or build new contemporary buildings in close
proximity to them so that it becomes easy for people to relate to them. People
stop treating them as useless ruins from the past and will learn to value the
monuments if they start playing a role in improving their quality of life.
There is an urgent need to rethink about the way we need to conserve our citys
history. Steinabad is an example of a group of modern buildings falling under the
regulated zones of lodhi tombs, which would
have not been built since none of them
have building parameters similar to that
proposed for regulated zone. The group of
modern buildings have taken inspiration
from its heritage context, and today they
stand boldly and gives an opportunity to
people to view modern buildings right before
entering the heritage precinct of lodhi
gardens.

Figure 27 : Plan showing Steinabad
falling under regulated zone of
Lodhi tombs; Source: Google
Earth image

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APPENDICES
Appendix A

ASI alphabetical List of Monuments of National Importance Delhi
S.no Name of Monumnet / Sites Location
1. Bastion, where a wall of Jahan panah meets the wall of Rai
Pithora fort.
Adchini
2. Ramp and gateway of Rai Pithora's Fort Adchini
3. Marble Tomb reputed to be that of Newab BahadurJawid Khan Aliganj
4. Lal Bangla Babarpur (Kaka Nagar)
5. Khair-ul-Manzil Babarpur Bazipur
(Kakanagar)
6. Kos Minar or Mughal Mile stone Babarpur Bazipur
(Kakanagar)
7. The Moti Gate of Shershah, Delhi Babarpur Bazipur
(Kakanagar)
8. Begampuri Masjid Begampur
9. Phool Chadar aquduct near Najafgarh Jhil aquduct Chaukri Mubarakabad
10. Lal Gumbad Chirag Delhi
11. Tomb of Bahlol Lodi Chirag Delhi
12. Ajmeri Gate Bazar Ajmeri Gate
13. Alipur Cemetery Delhi-Alipur Camping
group.
14. Ashoka'a pillar Ferozabad(Ferozshah Kila
or Vikram Nagar Colony)
15. Bara Khamba Cemetry Imperial City
16. Chauburji Ridge near Hindura
Hospital
17. Eremo Cementry Kishanaganj Railway Stn.
18. Delhi fort or Lal Qila, Naubat Khana, Diwan-i-am, Mumtaz Mahal'
Rang Mahal, Baithak,Maseu Burj, diwan-i-Khas' Moti Masjid,
sawan Bhadon ,Shah Burj, Hammam with all surrounding
including the gardens, paths, terraces and water courses.
Red fort
19. Delhi Gate Daryaganj
20. Enclosure containing the grave of Lt. Edwards and others,
murdered in 1857.
North Ridge near flag
Staff tower, Civil Lines.
21. Enclosure wall with Tomb of Najaf Khan Safdarjang Fly over
22. Flag Staff Tower 400 yards North of
Cheuburji Mosque
23. Jantar Mantar Connaught place
24. Kashmeri Gate and portion of the City Wall on either side of the
Kashmeri Gate on the side and on the other upto and including
the water Bastions at the Northern corner of the wall and also
including the dith outside the City wall where this is exposed.
Kashmeri Gate
25. Kotla Ferozabad with the remaining walls, bastions and
gateways and gardens, the old Mosque, and well and all other
ruins buildings it contains.
Two furlangs east of jail
and three furlangs due
south of S.E. Corner of
Shahjahanabad, Delhi.
26. Lal Darwaza, the northern gate of the outer walls of the Delhi of
Shershah.
Three furlang due south of
Delhi Gate,
27. Lothian Road Cemetery Kashmeri Gate
28. The Mosque Qudsia Garden
29. Mutiny telegraph Memorial In front of Old Telegraph
Building, Kashmeri Gate,
30. Nicholson (Or Kashmeri Gate) Cemetery Kashmeri Gate
31. Nicholson statue and its platform and the surrounding gardens
paths and enclosure wall.
Outside Kashmeri Gate
32. Old Baoli immediately to the west of Hindu Rao's House. On the ridge, Delhi

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33. The Old Entrance Gateway of the Garden. Qudsia Delhi
34. The Pirghaib to the north and near Hindu Rao's House On the ridge , Delhi
35. Portion of City wall near which Brij Jahn Nicholson was mortally
Wounded on 14th Sept. , 1857.
On the ridge , Delhi
36. The Punjabi gate in the Roshanara bagh Opposite Municipal Board
school, Subji Mandi
37. Purana Quila (Inderpat) or Delhi With all its walls Arcades,
gateways and Bastions, gardens, the Mosque of SherShah (Kila
Kohna Masjid). The Sher Mandala and entrances to
Subteranean passages.
Two miles south of the
Delhi Gate of
Shahjahanabad, Delhi
38. Rajpur (Mutiny cemetery) Old Rajpur Cantonment,
North Distt.
39. The remaining gateways of the old Magazira with their adjoining
buildings.
The post office , Delhi
40. Sher shah's gate with the adjoinining curon walls and Bastions
and the remains of the double line of structure to its front
Opposite purana Qila
immediately North-east of
the Khairul Manazil
Mosque
41. Site of Siege battery Known as the Sammy House Battery bearing
the following Inscriptions Battery , Sammy house, Major
Remington Tank, RA Commanding armament 89 pounds. To
command ground near Mori Bastion.
300 Yards East of mutiny
memorial
42. Site of siege Battery with inscription. East of the Hospital in
police Line
43. Site of siege Battery with inscription. Compound of Curzon
House
44. Site of siege Battery with inscription. In the garden near south
west entrance to Delhi
Club Ground
45. Sunehri Masjid near Delhi Fort Delhi Fort
46. Tomb of Capt. Mac. Barnatt & others who fall in an attack on
Kishanganj.
Kishan Ganj
47. Tomb of Ghiasuddin Khan, Tughlaqabad
48. Tomb of Roshanara & Baradari Sabzi Mandi
49. Tomb of Razia Begum in Mohalla Bulbuli Khana Shahjahanabad
50. Tomb of Safdarjang (Mirza Muqim Mansur Ali Khan) with all the
enclosure walls, gateways, gardens and the mosque on the
eastern side of the garden.
Lodhi Road, New Delhi
51. Tripolia Gateways Delhi-Karnal Road
52. Uggar Sain's Baoli Near Jantar Mantar
53. Tomb of Darya Khan Kidwai Nagar East
54. Baoli at Ghiaspur Nizammuddin
55. Tomb of Mirza Muzaffer, Chota Batasha No. 153, Ghiaspur Nizammuddin
56. Tomb of Amir Khusro, Ghiaspur Nizammuddin
57. Tomb of Mirza Muzaffer, Bara Batasha No. 151 Ghiaspur Nizammuddin
58. Tomb of Nizamuddin Aulia, Ghiaspur No. 197 Nizammuddin
59. Unknown tomb Ghiaspur 153, Nizammuddin
60. i. The tomb of Ferozshah ii. Domed Building to the west of No.1 iii.
Dalan between 1&2 iv. Domed Building & its court to the south of
No. 3, v. Dalans and all ruined Buildings to the north of no. 1 and
existing upto No.10 vi. Five Chhatris to the case of No. 1& No.5 vii.
Old Gate to the north of No.6 viii. Three Chhatris to the north-
west of No.7
ix. Ruined courtyard and its Dalans with the Domed building to
the north-west to the No.8
x. Old wall running east from No.4 xi. 2.23 Acres of land
surrounding the above monuments and bouded on the North by
house of Chhange and Mehra Chand sons of Hansram and
house of Uderam, son of Kusha South Ghairmunkan Resta
East By village site belonging to village community house
Hauz Khas

48

of Nots Zadar sons of Jai Singh Chhamar and field Nos. 338 &
331 belonging to Naider and others West By field no. 185
belonging to Udaram, son of Kusal Jat and field No. 186
belonging to Jagins and Sajawal Rajput, No. 195 Ghairmunkin
Johar, common of Jats and Musalmans and filed no. 196,
Ghairmunkin Pall.
61. Bag-i-Alam Gumbad with a Mosque Humayunpur
62. Kali Gumti Humayunpur (Hauz Khas)
63. Tefewala Gumbad Humayunpur Deer Park
(Hauz Khas)
64. Arab Sarai Patti, Ghiapur in Hauz
Inderpat
65. The Gate way of Arab Sarai facing North towards Purana Qila Near Arab Sarai Village
66. The Gate way of Arab Sarai facing East towards the tomb of
Humayun
Near Arab Sarai Village
67. Remainig Gateways of Arab Sarai and of Abadi-Bagh-Buhalima Near Arab Sarai Village
68. Lakhar wal Gumbad (Tomb) Inderpat Estate (Sunder
Nursery), Near Delhi Public
School, Mathura Road,
Nizamuddin
69. Sunderwala Burj Inderpat Estate (Sunder
Nursery)
70. Sunderwala Mahal Inderpat Estate (Sunder
Nursery)
71. Bijay Mandal, neighbouring domes, buildings and dalan to north
of Begumpur
In village Kalusarai
(Sarvapriya Vihar)
72. Old Lodi Bridge with approaches Near tomb of Sikander
Lodi, Khairpur
73. Mosque with the dalans and courtyard and the Bara Gumbaj
(the domed entracne to the mosque)
Khairpur
74. The tomb of Mohammed Shah known as Mubarak Khan- Ka-
Gumbaz
Khairpur
75. Tomb of Sikander Lodi with its enclosure wall and bastions, gates
& compound
Khairpur
76. Unknown tomb with blue tiles decoration known as Shisha
Gumbad
Khairpur
77. Bandi or Poti ka Gumbad III-280 Kharera village between
Hauz Khas and Qutab
road
78. Biran-Ka-Gumbad-282 Kharera village between
Hauz Khas and Qutab
road
79. Biwi or Dadi-ka-Gumbad-281 Kharera village between
Hauz Khas and Qutab
road
80. Chor Minar No. 289 Vol III Kharehra (Hauz Khas
Enclave)
81. Choti Gunti Kharehra village Green
Park
82. Idgah of Kharehra No. 287, Vol III Kharehra village, Hauz
Khas Enclave
83. Nili Mosque Kharehra village, Hauz
Khas Enclave
84. Sakri Gumti-284 Kharehra village Green
Park
85. Khirkee Masjid Village Khirkee
86. Satpula-III 216 Village Khirkee
87. Tomb of Usuf-Quttal At Khirkee in field no.81
min, Property of Shamlat
deh.
88. Jahaz Mahal Mehrauli
89. Shamsid Tallab together with platform entrance gates. Mehrauli
90. Moti Masjid Mehrauli

49

91. Old Palace of Bahadur Shah II alias Lal Mahal in Mehrauli Mehrauli
92. Bara Khamba-285 Kherera village tombs
between Hauz Khas,
Qutab raod
93. The Qutab Archaeological area as now fenced in, including the
Mosque, Iron Pillar, Minar of Qutab-din, unfinished Minar, all
colonnads, screen arches, tomb of Altmash, college, buildings of
Aluddin, Tomb of Imam Zamin and all carved stoens in the
above area with gardens, paths and water channels, and all
gateways including the Alai-Darwaza , also all graves in the
above area
Mehrauli
94. Tomb of Adam Khan (Rest House) Mehrauli
95. Tomb and Mosque of Maulana Jamali Kamali Mehrauli
96. Wall mosque Mehrauli
97. Walls of Lal Kot and Rai Pithora's fort from Sohan Gate to Adam
Khan's tomb including the ditch where there is an outer wall
Mehrauli Kh. No. 1783,
1765, 1766, 1767, 1770,
1772, 1773, 1798 & 1764
98. Walls of Lal Kot and Rai Pithora's fort at the point where they
meet together
Near Jamali Kamali's
Mosque Mehrauli Kh. No.
1754, Loddho Sarai Kh.No.
86,87
99. Wall of Rai Pithora's fort including gateways and bastions Mehrauli
100. Gates and walls of Mubarakpur, Kotla in village Mubarakpur village Mubarakpur, Kotla
101. Moti-ki-Masjid Behind south externsion
Part II.
102. Inchla Wali Gunti village Mubarakpur, Kotla
103. Kala Gumbad village Mubarakpur, Kotla
104. Tombs of Bade-Khan, and Mubarakpur Kotla, Kotla village Mubarakpur, Kotla
105. Tombs of Chote Khan, Mubarakpur Kotla
106. Tomb of Mubarik in Mubarakpur, Kotla village Mubarakpur, Kotla
107. Mosque attached to Mubarak shah Tomb village Mubarakpur, Kotla
108. Tomb of Bhura Khan village Mubarakpur, Kotla
109. Tin Burji Walla Gumbad Mohammed pur village II,
304
110. Unnamed tomb Mohammed pur village ,
305
111. Baoli Munirka II. 318.
112. Munda Gumbad Munrika 302.
113. Unnamed Mosque Munirka 314.
114. Unnamed Tomb Munirka 313.
118. i. Unnamed Mosque
ii. Unnamed Tomb
Munirka 321&
Munirka 322
119. Wajir pur- ki-Gumbad Munirka 312.
120. The Afsah-walla-ki-Masjid situated outside the west gate of
Humayun's tomb with its dalans and paved court bounded on
the east by Humayun's tomb on the west by Abadi Arab Sarai on
the north by road and Khasra No. 252 and on the south by
Abadi Arab Sarai
Nizammudin
121. Bara Khamba outside north entrance to shrine Nizammudin
122. Bara Pulah bridge near Nizammudin South of Nizammudin
123. Chausath Khamba and tomb of Mirza Nizammudin Aziz-ka-
Kokaltash
Nizammudin
124. Grave of Jahanara Begum Nizammudin
125. Grave of Mohammed Shah Nizammudin
126. Grave of Mirza Jahangir Nizammudin
127. Humayun's tomb, its platforms, garden, enclosure walls and
gateways Khasra No. 258 bounded on the east by Khasra
No.180&181&244 of Miri Singh and on west by Kh. No. 268&253
Nizammudin

50

on the north by Khasra No. 266, on the south by Kh No. 245 of Miri
Singh & Kh. No. 248 & 249 of Sayyed Mohummad
128. Nila Gumbad outside the south corner of the enclosure of
Humayun's tomb (Kh. No. 243) bounded on the east by Kh. No.
182, on the west by Humayun's tomb, on the north by Kh. No. 181
& on the south by Kh. No. 244 of Miri Singh
Nizammudin
129. Nili Chhatri or Subz Burz . Nizammudin East
130. Tomb of Afsar-wala immediately near to the south of Afsar-wala-
ki-Masjid
Nizammudin
131. Tomb of Atgah Khan Nizammudin
132. The tomb of Isa Khan with its surrounding enclosure walls and
turrest garden gateways and mosque (Kh. No. 281 ) bounded on
the east by Arab Sarai Kh. No.236 on the west by Kh. No. 283
graveyard of Piare Lal and K.No. 283 of Bddon on the north by
Kh. No. 236 of Pandit Brij Vallabh and on the south by Arab Sarai
Kh. No. 238.
Nizammudin
133. Tomb of Khan-i-Khana Nizammudin
134. Tomb with three domes near Rly.Station Nizammudin
135. Sikargah Kushak-II -327 Old Kushak Village
136. Gateways of Badli-Ki-Sarai Village Pipalthala
137. Tomb of Sheikh Kaburuddin also known as Rakabwala Gumbad
in field no.84 min. situated at sarai Shah 31 property of Thoks
Shahpur and Adhehini
Malviyanagar
138. Ruined line of walls, bastions & gateways of siri Kh. No. 88, 265
&447 at village Shahpur Jat
Shahpur Jat
139. Internal buildings of Siri Mehammadi wali-Kh. No. 14 Shahpur Jat
Bul-Bul-Ki-Kh. No. 256 Shahpur Jat
Makhdum ki Kh. No. 255 Shahpur Jat
Baradari Shahpur Jat
Motiyan wala dome Shahpur Jat
Thana wala Shahpur Jat
Shahpur Jat
140. Nai-ka-kot. Tughlaqabad. Kotla
141. Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaqabad. walls and bastions, gates
and cause way including the tomb of Dad Khan
Tughlaqabad.
142. Tomb of Mohammed Tughlaqabadshah Badarpur Zail
143. Walls of old city of Tughlaqabad. Badarpur Zail
144. Walls, gateways bastions and internal buildings of both inner and
outer citadels of Tughlaqabad fort
Tughlaqabad.
145. Walls, gate and bastions of Adilabad (Mohammadbad) and
causeway leading there to from Tughlaqabad.
Tughlaqabad.
146. The Tomb Wazirabad
147. The mosque Wazirabad
148. Neighbouring Bridge Wazirabad
149. Mound known as Jaga Bai comprise in part of surve plot no. 167 Jamia nagar
150. Ashoka rock Edict East of Kailash colony
151. Mandi Mosque Ladho Sarai
152. Rajon-ki-Bain with Mosque and Chhatri Ladho Sarai
153. Badun Gate Ladho Sarai
154. Gateway of Lal kot Ladho Sarai
155. Gateway of Rai Pithoria's fort Ladho Sarai
156. Walls of Rai Pithora's fort and Jahan Panah at the point where
they meet together
Hauz Rani abd Lado
Sarai
157. Tomb of Sultan Ghari Nalikpur Kohi
158. Baoli known as diving wall locally known as (Candak-ki-baoli) Mehrauli
159. Enlosure containing the tomb of Shah Alam Bahadur Shah, Shah
Alam to and Akbar Shah II
Mehrauli
160. Houz Shamsi with central red stone pavilion situated at Mehrauli
in field No. 157-81, 1586-97, 1614 &1624
Mehrauli
161. Iron Pillar Hindu Mehrauli
162. Anceint Mosque Palam
163. Sheesh Mahal Shalimar Garden Village
Hyderpur
164. Ashokan Pillar On the Ridge between

51

Hindu Rao Hospital
165. Sarai Shahji Malaviya Nagar
166. Azim Khan Tomb Lado Sarai
167. Mazar of Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim Zauq ChindBagh, Kadam Sherif,
Paharganj, Delhi
168. Fortification Wall Asad Burj, Water gate, Delhi Gate, Lahori Gate,
Jahangiri Gate, Chhattra Bazar, Baoli
Red Fort, Delhi
169. Fortification walls, Gates, Bastions and Ancient Buildings of
Salimgarh Fort
Bela Road
170. Portion of the City Wall of Shahajanabad Ansari Road
171. Sat Narain Bhawan Delhi Sadhora Khurd, Dina
Nath Marg, Roshanara
Road, New Delhi.
172. Balban Khan's Tomb & Jamli Kamali Lado Sarai, Mehrauli,
Delhi
173. Unknown Tomb in the vicinitty of Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium Pragati Vihar, New Delhi
174. Mazar of Mirza Ghalib Nizammudin

52

REFERENCE LIST

Handbook of Conservation of heritage Buildings CPWD, Chapter 7 : Model
Building Bye-laws (Conservation of heritage sites including heritage buildings,
heritage precincts and natural feature areas)
http://www.unesco.org/en/cultural-diversity/heritage/
LIC tower to host unique dance, Times of India (10 November 2010)
New Delhis new monument, Hindustan Times(2 August 2010)
ORF Issue Brief, Balancing Old and New in Delhi- Modern Delhi's Perspective
on Built Heritage Conservation, Nancy H. Welsh (July 2011, Issue brief # 29)
Proposed Heritage Bye-law for She shah Gate & Khairul Manazil Mosque,
Delhi, 3rd october,2012 , INTACH, pg. 20-22
The Gazette of India, The Ancient monuments and Archaeological Sites and
Remains (Amendment and validation) Act 2010
The Gazette of India, The Delhi Ancient and Historical monuments and
Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 2004
World Heritage papers 25- World Heritage and Buffer Zones International
Expert Meeting on World Heritage and Buffer Zones Davos, Switzerland 11 14
March 2008

53

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Papers, Articles and Reports
March 2008, World Heritage and Buffer Zones International Expert Meeting on
World Heritage and Buffer Zones, World Heritage papers 25
Chapter 7 : Model Building Bye-laws, Handbook of Conservation of heritage
Buildings CPWD
INTACH, 3
rd
October 2012 , Proposed Heritage Bye-law for She shah Gate &
Khairul Manazil Mosque, Delhi
Nancy H. Welsh, July 2011, Balancing Old and New in Delhi- Modern Delhi's
Perspective on Built Heritage Conservation , ORF Issue brief # 29
2010, The Ancient monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains
(Amendment and validation) Act 2010, The Gazette of India, Government of
India
2005, The Delhi Ancient and Historical monuments and Archaeological Sites
and Remains Act 2004, The Gazette of India, Government of India
Steven w. Semes , New Building among old
INTACH, Connaught Place and its surroundings, INTACH Delhi Chapter
Lutyen's Delhi - part 2 - Connaught place, arkistudentscorner.blogspot.in
David Neustein, Proximity - lines through time , Byera hadley travelling
scholarship report
CUBA, Building in context - new development in historic areas, English
Heritage
MPD 2021

Dissertations and Thesis
Ms. Shalini Mahajan, Learning to Live with Cultural Heritage in Urban Indian
Contexts - Conservation Challenges and Preservation Dynamics, University
IUAV of Venice and University of Nova Gorica Graduate School
Alok Shrivastava , 2010, Monuments in current urban context are in distress
due to insensitive planning strategie, University school of Architecture and
Planning

54

Vatsala Shahi , 2010, Something Old, something New:Architectural expression
as an amalgamation of tradition and contemporary , University school of
Architecture and Planning

Books
Lucy Peck, Delhi A thousand Years of Building, INTACH Roli Guide
Ratish nanda, Delhi, The Built Heritage: A Listing
Hasan-uddin-Khan, Charles Correa architect in India, Public building - LIC
Centre, Delhi.

Websites
www.asi.nic.in
www.delhiheritagecity.org
www.hindustantimes.com
www.intach.org
www.unesco.org
www.observerindia.com
articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
www.outlookindia.com
www.charlescorrea.net

Dissertation - Balancing Heritage and Contemporary Architecture

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