17th-century Sunehri Mahal at centre of fresh controversy

Rafique Aziz

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Believe it or not, the unauthorised construction of a stone-arched chhatri on the terrace of the state-protected medieval monument Sunehri Mahal at Pahadsinghpura (on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University campus) has sparked fresh controversy. Ironically, the structure has been built by its own custodian—the office of the Assistant Director, Department of Archaeology. Heritage experts, enthusiasts and citizens have strongly objected, saying their sentiments have been hurt and expressing displeasure over the act. They have demanded an explanation as to why a 21st-century addition has been made to a heritage structure, and whether it amounts to a violation of heritage laws or not?. The incident has raised serious concerns about accountability and respect for conservation norms.

Veteran heritage photographer and secretary of History Academy, Khaled Ahmed, termed the construction as completely unauthorised and said it defaces the originality of the monument.

“I have never seen any chhatri on the structure, nor found any mention of it in old records over the decades. Earlier photographs show only a pyramid-shaped structure with a small rectangular platform on the top and an iron pole at the centre, where the national flag was hoisted every year. Constructing a chhatri in the 21st century is a clear violation of heritage laws,” said the secretary.

Repeated alterations have already impacted the monument. Earlier, the entrance arches were closed with cement walls, boundary walls of the interior garden were modified, and a water cascade was added. Now this chhatri is the latest violation,” Khaled Ahmed said, adding that the absence of active heritage watchdogs has enabled such actions.

No response from Department of Archaeology

Despite repeated attempts, Assistant Director Jaya Wahane was unavailable for comment. Office sources said she is currently on a site visit to Jalna district along with an archaeological engineer. The scribe visited the office and also made several calls and texted for comment, but was in vain.

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Noted historian and author Dr Dulari Qureshi, in her book Tourism Potential in Aurangabad – with Ajanta, Ellora and Daulatabad (1999), has documented Sunehri Mahal in detail, including rare photographs of its original form.

Speaking from Hyderabad, she said, “As a state-protected monument, no additions or alterations can be made by the custodian. Their role is to preserve the structure in its original form. The construction of a stone-arch chhatri should not be made at any cost. The development has hurt the sentiments of heritage-lovers.”

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Mukund Bhogle, state convenor of INTACH, also expressed concern from Delhi. “Defacing the originality of any heritage structure—protected or unprotected—is unlawful. No new construction should be undertaken in the name of beautification,” he said, adding that he will take up the issue with higher authorities after a site inspection.

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No mention of chhatri in historical records

Neither the 1884 Gazetteer of the Nizam’s Dominions (reprinted in 2006) nor the revised Aurangabad District Gazetteer (1977) mentions the existence of any chhatri on the palace terrace.

What does the law say?

Sunehri Mahal is protected under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960. Any act that destroys, alters, defaces, or misuses such a monument is punishable with imprisonment of up to three months, a fine up to ₹5,000, or both.