The Mehrangarh Museum Trust is one of India’s leading cultural institutions, established in 1972 by H. H. Maharaja Gaj Singhji to make the fort come alive for visitors. Today the Mehrangarh Museum has a unique importance as a repository of the artistic and cultural history of the large area of central Rajasthan, Marwar-Jodhpur. Apart from the museum, the Trust is at the forefront of conservation and restoration, a generous patron of the arts and music and a lively centre of academic study. The Mehrangarh Museum Trust is recipient of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award in the field of Architectural Conservation, Cultural Heritage and Adaptive Reuse. The conservation of The Mehrangarh Fort itself remains top priority but the Trust also participates actively in other conservation and restoration projects in Jodhpur and Rajasthan. 

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Together with the team of engineers, craftsmen and labour, several conservation projects were undertaken, at the fort itself, at Sursagar Palace, Suraj Kund and other stepwells in the city of Jodhpur, along with the documentation and study of water systems at the fort. Images shown here are from various works in progress in Jodhpur.  A detailed study and use of natural materials such as lime and stone ensures the architecture is restored to its true authentic state, while using traditional methods of construction and skilled artisans maintains the continuity of intangible heritage.

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The massive fabric of architectural heritage in India is highly undervalued. Greater care and conservation efforts must be taken to retain as well as craft a unique Indian identity for the future. 

 

www.mehrangarh.org

 

Photographs: SG

2018