Neglected monuments in Mahendragarh to get facelift

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Mahendragarh, June 22

Historical monuments — Chhatta Rai Bal Mukand Dass and Mirza Ali ki Bawdi — will be revamped by the district administration in order to preserve heritage sites and attract tourists. A proposal has recently been sent to Department of Archaeology and Museums for renovation of both monuments that will cost Rs 5 crore.

“Both monuments have been in a dilapidated condition for a long time as no sincere efforts were made to revamp these. Walls and rooftops are lying broken at many places. Locals have encroached upon areas belonging to the monuments. These sites have the potential to become tourist attractions after rejuvenation,” said Ratan Lal Saini, District Convener, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.

Chhatta Rai Bal Mukand Dass, popularly known as Chhatta of Birbal, is a spacious five-storey building with several halls, rooms and pavilions constructed by Ray-i-Rayan Mukand Dass, the Diwan of Narnaul, during the reign of Shah Jahan.

It is believed that the building has four underground tunnels leading to Jaipur, Mahendragarh, Delhi and Dhosi. Legend has it that Akbar and Birbal visited this town. That’s why it is called Chhatta of Birbal.

Similarly, Mirza Ali ki Bawdi, also known as Takht Baoli, was a resort constructed during the reign of Emperor Akbar. It included a beautiful garden, water pool, a ‘baoli’ with steps to reach the water and an imposing three-storey gateway structure overlooking the ‘baoli’.

Ajay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, said that Takht Baoli and Chhatta of Birbal would be renovated to attract tourists. The proposal has been approved by Chief Engineer, PWD (B&R). It is likely to get a nod from the Archaeological Department as well. A committee had also been formed to review the renovation work and to give suggestions for conservation of heritage sites, he added.

“The work is delicate. Hence, more emphasis will be given to preserve the original aesthetic and natural look of the monuments. Marble, teakwood, natural colours, coloured stones will be used for renovation,” said Kaustubh Varat, Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associate (CMGGA).