British Raj days Record room in danger of demolition

Guwahati, July 8 (UNI) The "Mahafezkhana", the land records office during British rule and probably the oldest building in the city and the residence of the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court are among those likely to be demolished as part of beautification of the Brahmaputra river banks.

Dubbed as the ''demolition man'' for his drive against illegal constructions in the city since assuming office as Guwahati Development Department Minister in May, Mr Himanta Biswa Sharma had announced the demolition of all structures along the Brahmaputra from Sukleshwar temple to the Raj Bhawan.

If the plan is carried out in totality, the Mahafezkhana and the Chief Justice's residence would also be demolished. However, a section of concerned citizens are highlighting the need to conserve at least these two buildings as heritage sites, an idea which has not been discarded by the government altogether.

Noted historian Dipankar Banerjee, leading the awareness drive, said, '' We, the people, must lead the awareness drive to conserve these heritage structures. '' The Mahafezkhana was built between 1855 and 1865 as a long poem, 'Guwahatir Bibaran', published in 'Arunodoi' (the first Assamese newspaper) in June, 1853, does not mention a record room, though it carries a vivid description of all important structures of the period, Mr Banerjee said.

Historians are in agreement that the Guwahati Record Room, was built after 1858 when the Crown took over. They were very particular about maintaining records.

This 86 ft x 77 ft brick and corrugated sheet structure with solid iron entry gates, with 20-inch thick walls and a covered verandah running all around it to provide double protection, has survived for almost 150 years now.

It was constructed near the treasury. Besides serving as a ready archive and housing administrative orders, it was the custodian of all kinds of land records, patta, jamabandi and namzari papers.

After the dismantling of the Koshagar Khazana (treasury) to house a Bank building, only the record room and a small phatak (jail) stand in the old-world glory.

However, if the administration's beautification plans are not amended, the historic record room, which withstood the tremors of 1897 and 1950, would be obliterated.

Heritage building status has also been demanded for the present residence of the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, which was also built during the early part of the British rule.

A lawyers' body has also joined in the cry for conservation of these structures.

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