Ahmedabad's 125-Year-Old Rector's Bungalow Demolished Despite Heritage Appeals
In a significant loss to Ahmedabad's architectural heritage, the 125-year-old Rector's Bungalow was dismantled on Tuesday. The structure, located near the tennis court on the Gujarat Arts and Science College campus, had historically served as the residence for top officials of the college.
Decade-Long Conservation Effort Proves Futile
Conservationists and heritage enthusiasts had launched a concerted effort to save the bungalow, spanning over a decade. However, this initiative ultimately proved futile. According to sources, the demolition was carried out as part of a campus-wide modernization drive, with authorities deeming the bungalow structurally dangerous and noting it had not been occupied for a long time.
Attempts to demolish the bungalow were thwarted at least twice in the past, as conservationists made representations to government and local authorities. They cited the heritage value of the campus, which dates back to 1861. The Ahmedabad Centre of the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) made a final representation on January 20, requesting authorities to reconsider the decision to raze the building.
Official Response and Lack of Heritage Status
In response, the executive engineer's office of the R&B department stated in a letter dated January 23 that there are no government records terming the building a heritage structure. The IIA was asked to furnish relevant documents to the principal of the college. The letter added that Gujarat College owns the campus, and the institution has the authority to make decisions regarding demolition.
IIA officials reported that they did not hear back from the college, and now the structure is gone. Krunal Shah, a joint secretary of the IIA Ahmedabad Centre, expressed disappointment, saying, "We take pride in the fact that Ahmedabad is India's first Unesco World Heritage City, and yet we see that the concept of heritage does not extend outside the Walled City."
Dilip Rana, commissioner (higher education), confirmed to TOI that the demolition work of the Rector's Bungalow was underway. He stated, "We sought the opinion of the heritage department, and it said that the bungalow is not part of the heritage structure at the college."
Architectural Significance and Historical Context
A project by CEPT University students in 2020 documented the architectural features of the Rector's Bungalow, highlighting elements such as louvres (angled slats) and wooden joinery. The document mentions the year of construction as 1900. It indicated that the exhibition of ancient architectural expression and practices was improperly maintained, leading to wear and tear.
The project document noted, "This structure not only marvels us by its elegant surkhi shade but also by its intricate and skillful wooden joineries. Details such as those of the louvres and the stairs, along with those of junctions between two materials, give rise to a unique typology that is worth being studied." It added that the structure served as a valuable case study for structural understanding, material palette, joinery details, and overall expression.
College Renovation and Prominent Alumni
The Gujarat College premises are undergoing major renovation and restoration. According to the college's website, the institution dates back to 1861, when it was known as Gujarat Provincial College. In association with Government High School, the college taught mathematics, philosophy, fine arts, and law. After a brief closure, it reopened in 1879.
Sheth Ranchhodlal Chhotalal served as secretary between 1884 and 1887. The administration later transitioned to a society and eventually to the state government in 1912. Prominent alumni from the college include:
- G V Mavalankar, the first Speaker of Parliament
- Vidyagauri Neelkanth, the first Hindu woman graduate from Mumbai University
- Balvantrai Mehta, a former chief minister of Gujarat
This demolition marks a poignant moment in Ahmedabad's urban development, raising questions about the preservation of heritage structures beyond the city's famed Walled City area.
