Nawab Bari gate defaced

Obliterating heritage...Fresh bricks and concrete of a new shopping complex have pushed up against the historic Nawab Bari gate to the Ahsan Manjil in Old Dhaka, destroying the left side of the archeologically protected archway. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain

The archeologically protected archway lost its left side to construction of the shopping mall that began two years ago or so. To the right of the shopping complex stands another market, and several shops were constructed at the foot of the 15 feet wide and 30 feet high arch.

A big signboard of Waliullah and Sons Gun Shop has also been fixed with the rundown gate and many banners are hanging with the weed-covered, peeling structure.

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Historians say Abdul Ghani, the nawab of Dhaka and grandfather of Nawab Salimullah, built the arch in 1872 during repairs of the Ahsan Manjil, the nawab's palace.

The once beautiful gate made of brick and lime on the northern side of the palace, edging the Islampur market, fell into ruin only because of neglect, although it is archeologically protected under the Antiquities Act, 1968.

"They (market owners) did not seek permission from the archeology department for construction. We came to know about it but could not stop construction," said Dewan Delwar Hossain, director of the archeology department. He reasoned out that the archeology department is too understaffed and cash-strapped to protect the site.

But sources alleged that the owners of the shopping mall, Islam Plaza, had an underhand dealing with some officials of the archeology department on damaging part of the 130-year-old archway.

A notice of the archeology department bans any change, damage and graffiti on the archway and warns violators of a maximum punishment of one year in jail. Still, the owners of the shopping mall went ahead with their plan.

The owners could not be reached for comments.

"We are worried. It may collapse anytime. Sometimes, the government officials visit the archway, but no repair was done yet," said a clothes trader who has a shop near the site.

"The history of Dhaka is related to the Nawab palace and the Nawab Bari gate is a rare archway. It reminds us of our glorious past," said Shamsul Wares, a leading architect. "We could not preserve much of our heritage due to lack of awareness. Now we need to protect the remnants."