Collapse of Malkhed Fort Wall Highlights Bengaluru’s Heritage Crisis

The collapse of a wall at the Malkhed Fort in Kalaburgi, following heavy rains, has once again drawn attention to the deteriorating condition of historical monuments and heritage buildings in Bengaluru. Conservation efforts for these monuments remain inadequate, as historian Suresh Moona points out. “Not enough is being done to preserve these valuable structures. However, the public also needs to take responsibility,” Moona insists.

He cites the armoury in Kalasipalya, a 200-year-old structure that played a significant role in the third Anglo-Mysore war, which is now in poor condition. “Departments need to create public awareness about these sites, ensuring that they aren’t damaged but preserved,” he adds.

Impact of Urban Development on Heritage Sites
One of the major threats to heritage structures is urban development. Moona recalls how cracks appeared in the walls of the Vanivilas Hospital in Kalasipalya due to the ongoing underground metro construction. Built in 1935, the hospital is a historic site that has suffered damage during modern construction projects. “It is crucial to ensure that new constructions in the vicinity of heritage buildings do not lead to their deterioration,” Moona emphasises.

Citizen groups like Heritage Beku have also been pivotal in the preservation of privately owned heritage buildings. Founder Priya-Chetty Rajagopal shares that these efforts sometimes involve getting fashion houses, consulates, or corporations to buy or rent heritage properties for restoration and reuse. A successful example is designer Tarun Tahiliani’s showroom, housed in a restored heritage bungalow in Woodlands Hotel, on Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road.

However, the cost of maintaining these large properties is prohibitive, and property tax is a significant burden. “The shift from self-assessment to a capital value-based property tax system, which is currently on hold, poses a threat to heritage conservation,” says Rajagopal. She advocates for a waiver of property tax on heritage properties by the Karnataka government, as the current tax system is a “death knell to heritage conservation.”

Legal and Administrative Challenges
Basav Biradar, founder of HistoryWallahs, highlights that many of Bengaluru’s monuments remain unprotected. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and state archaeology departments manage the sites but provide minimal support for conservation. Biradar mentions that the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) was working on a master plan prioritising heritage conservation, but it has yet to be finalised.

Biradar also points out that laws intended to protect heritage sites are routinely flouted. “ASI rules dictate that no new building can be constructed within a 100-metre radius of any protected monument. Yet, the remains of the fort in the city market area are adjacent to the Victoria Hospital compound and surrounded by a market,” he explains. He also mentions that the walls of Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace are gradually deteriorating, with its historical paintings suffering the most.

Challenges in Conservation Work
Conservation architect Akhila Udayashankar offers a more hopeful perspective on the future of Bengaluru’s heritage buildings. “In the past 5-8 years, we have seen increased efforts to restore both private and public heritage buildings,” she notes. Udayashankar’s team has worked on restoring several old churches, including St. Mark’s Cathedral on MG Road and St. John’s Church in Frazer Town. They are currently restoring a portion of the East Parade Church on MG Road.

However, she admits that there are numerous challenges in restoring heritage buildings. “It is difficult to find skilled masons familiar with lime plaster and carpenters who can work with teakwood. A lot of older buildings feature intricate stucco work, and finding artisans proficient in this craft is becoming rare,” she explains.

Government Initiatives and the Road Ahead
On the government’s efforts, D Smitha, Director of Museums at the Department of Archaeology, Museums, and Heritage, says that initiatives to preserve heritage structures are increasing. The ‘Adopt a Monument’ scheme is one such initiative, which allows NGOs or CSR initiatives to adopt and maintain a monument for five years. Additionally, the department is working on 3D mapping temples to preserve their original designs digitally. “If a temple is damaged, these digital images can help in restoring the structure to its original state,” she says.

While efforts are being made, the collapse of Malkhed Fort’s wall is a stark reminder that much more needs to be done. The public, government, and private sectors all have roles to play in ensuring that Bengaluru’s rich architectural and historical heritage is not lost to time or neglect.