Diwan Todar Mal's Jahaz Haveli to be renovated using historical techniques

Diwan Todar Mal Virasti Foundation Punjab has announced that the Jahaz Haveli, popularly known as Todar Mal Haveli, when renovated completely, would be dedicated to the memory of Diwan Todar Mal as a torch-bearer of human rights. The haveli is being renovated using historical techniques.

Todar Mal is said to have staked his fortunes and future for saving the dignity of the younger Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh in 1704.

A rare copy of a near-complete picture of the haveli ruins has been procured from the British Library, London, to help plan the renovation which is estimated to cost around Rs 60 crore.

Director Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwara Council Canada and an office-bearer of the Diwan Todar Mal Virasti Foundation Harbans Singh Jandali said members of the foundation led by president Lakhwinder Singh Kahneke were working tirelessly to get the renovation completed as soon as possible.

“Having been authorised to undertake the construction and renovation work under the supervision of senior functionaries of the Archeology Department, we have entrusted the work to Heritage Preservation Atelier Pvt Limited,” Jandali said, appreciating that a team of civil engineers led by Namita Jaspal is monitoring the progress of construction closely so that the original design of the various wings of the haveli is preserved.

Referring to information received from Jaspal, Jandali said that work was being carried out according to traditional techniques and efforts were being made to ensure that building materials resemble the original ones.

“Remnants of the old walls and floors are being chemically analysed in laboratories, based on which the cementing material is prepared by mixing ground ingredients in a specific ratio,” Jandali elaborated, adding that certain seeds, pulses and glues are first ground at the site and then mixed with lime to prepare the mortar akin to the one used in the original construction. Efforts are being made to collect Nanakshahi bricks from various places.

Jandali further informed that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee had also resolved to handover the charge of the site to the foundation, which would undertake the work under the supervision of the state government’s Archaeology Department.

Though no grants or financial aid was provided for the renovation of the haveli, the Foundation recognises the cooperation and technical support being provided by the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Jandali said.

Lakhwinder Singh Kahneke said that the renovation work was being carried out independently by the foundation consisting some NRIs and local enthusiasts genuinely interested in upholding the memory of Diwan Todar Mal, who had taken a stern stand against Wazir Khan, the Mughal Governor of Sirhind, for not allowing the cremation of the bodies of Sahibzadas Zora Singh and Fateh Singh. As the tale goes, Todar Mal had bought a piece of land for cremation by paying Wazir Khan gold coins stacked vertically to cover the entire plot.

Todar Mal had to bear the brunt of Wazir Khan’s wrath and abandon the haveli along with his family soon after.

“As the haveli is closely associated with Sikh history, we want to project it as a symbol of protection of human rights,” Kahneke said, adding that the decision about maintenance of the memorial after completion would be taken in due course, after taking all stakeholders into confidence.

The federation has also purchased a piece of land at a cost of Rs 3 crore where a museum would be established.