Protected tag for 5 ‘chhatris’ to enrich Rewari’s identity

The state government’s decision to bring the group of five historic ‘chhatris’ (resting places) under official protection will, according to heritage enthusiasts, not only pave the way for their long-awaited restoration but also enhance the beauty of Rewari city while adding it more prominently to visitors’ destination lists.

Local residents had been consistently demanding their preservation. Their notification as protected monuments marks a significant step towards safeguarding this valuable heritage.

The Heritage and Tourism Department, Haryana, has recently declared the group of five ‘chhatris’ located in Puran Singh Bagh, opposite the Rezang La Memorial on the Rewari–Gurugram road, a protected monument.

“Historically, all five ‘chhatris’ served as resting places for travellers who paused here before continuing their journeys. Travellers would spend the night or rest during the day to regain their energy before moving ahead. The ‘chhatris’ were open structures without doors, allowing anyone to take shelter. Over time, however, they fell into a poor state. In response, we organised a cleanliness drive on the premises recently and removed a large quantity of garbage from there,” said Sudhir Bhargava, District Convener of Indian National Trust for Art and Culture (INTACH).

Bhargava, while welcoming the decision to declare these structures as protected monuments, said the step was vital to preserve the historical and ancient heritage of Rewari city. “Moreover, it would ensure the renovation and regular upkeep of the ‘chhatris’. This has been a long-standing demand of heritage enthusiasts and it has finally been fulfilled,” he added.

BJP MLA Laxman Singh Yadav said the BJP government is committed to protecting historical monuments and heritage across the state. In line with this commitment, the group of five ancient ‘chhatris’ has been declared protected monuments. “This step will ensure the beautification of these ‘chhatris’ and further enhance the overall appeal of Rewari,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Meena informed that a personal garden (bagh) of 40 bighas was built on the present site of these ‘chhatris’ by Rao Tej Singh, grandfather of freedom fighter Rao Tularam.

“The first, second and fourth chhatris are single-storeyed and octagonal. They feature domed roofs supported by octagonal drums, creating an impressive visual impact. Each ‘chhatri’ has multiple-pointed arched openings on all sides, enhancing their aesthetic appeal. The walls between the arches include niches, likely serving both decorative and functional purposes,” he added.

The DC further explained that the third ‘chhatri’ is distinct because it is square instead of octagonal. It is also single-storeyed and has a dome above it. Similar to the octagonal canopies, it features three-pointed arched openings on each side, contributing to its architectural character.

As per notification for the protected monuments, the fifth ‘chhatri’ is located at the southwest end. It is a two-storeyed rectangular structure. This ‘chhatri’ has a set of three-pointed arched openings at three heights, adding to its prominence within the group. It also contains a central chamber, suggesting that it may have served a specific purpose.

All the ‘chhatris’ are adorned with projecting ‘chhajjas’ (hanging eaves) around their periphery, providing shade and enhancing the functionality of the buildings. The ‘chhajjas’ of the rectangular canopy are supported by stone brackets, reflecting a high level of craftsmanship and strengthening the structural integrity. All these structures are built on an elevated platform within a gated enclosure. All these are made of brick and covered with lime plaster, said the notification.

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