Bagh wali kothi to house INTACH museum

Bagh wali kothi to house INTACH museum

The state government has decided to hand over the magnificent Bagh wali kothi located at Dujana village in the district to the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

The kothi, which belonged to the erstwhile Nawab of Dujana, will now house a museum-cum-office of the INTACH's Haryana chapter. The sprawling guesthouse complex, better known as Bagh wali Kothi, was constructed around 1920 and is located a couple of miles from Jhajjar.
The government has agreed to transfer the complex to the state chapter of INTACH on lease for 50 years. This was disclosed by Komal Anand, chairperson of the state chapter of INTACH, at a recent meeting of the trust.
Hailing the decision, Anand assured that INTACH would soon work out a plan for the restoration of the heritage building. According to sources, the purpose behind the handing over the building to INTACH is twofold.
First, the state chapter will get a proper office for efficient functioning. Secondly, the complex, spread over two hectares, has remained neglected for decades and INTACH will work on its restoration and maintenance.
Dr O.P. Aggrawal, who heads the INTACH's Indian Council of Conservation Institute in Lucknow, has provided tentative estimates for the restoration maintenance of the complex.
Dr Shikha Jain, co-convener of the INTACH's state chapter, said an MoU would be signed between Haryana government and INTACH, followed by the preparation of a project report containing details as maps, drawing and estimates of the cost of restoration. Ranbir Singh, also a co-convener of the INTACH's state chapter, observed that the coming up of INTACH office at Dujana would significantly improve the level of awareness among the local people as the chapter would have a regular and permanent address.
"The location of the INTACH state office and museum assumes significance as there are several other monuments of historical importance in the neighbourhood of Dujana, particularly in Beri and Jhajjar, in addition to the Gurukul Museum," he added.
It may be pertinent to mention here that the proposal to acquire the property at Dujana on lease was initiated by Ranbir Singh about six months ago and pursued by the chairperson of the INTACH's state chapter.
Finally, the government communicated its approval for the transfer of the property on lease vide its letter No. 2872 dated August 2.
"Once fully developed and functional, the place would also be utilised for holding public lectures, seminars and workshops about heritage conservation and education,"