Conservation Plan for Historic City Gates of Nagaur, Rajasthan

Abstract

City gates were one of the important components of the fortified cities, a point of controlled entry and exit from an enclosed space of large human settlement. Based on their historic requirement they fulfilled functions relating to defense, security, trade, public assemblies or any kind of judicial activities. In historic time, they were meant to define the boundary of the city but in the present scenario, they act as threshold, historic core of the city lies within these gates. Their remarkable history is backed by their rich architectural vocabulary and detail which varied from city to city depending upon the ruler who built it. Such historic built structure and the surrounding environment were based on five sense of quality a sense of place, identity, evolution, ownership and community. With the growing and dynamic urbanization, Social and urban changes have resulted in severe damage to these gates as well as these five senses of quality. As a result of which people have started feeling insecure and a sense of historical continuity is diminishing. Nagaur is a historic city located in central Rajasthan. It was built over many centuries, and it became one of the first strongholds of Muslim power in northern India. The origin of the city in the form that we see today dates from the early 12th century and over a period of time it has been ruled by various rulers. It is this region which fought many battles and saw shifts in population, especially in the Mughal period. Therefore defense became an essential aspect of survival in the region and resulted in the demand for architecture for security. Therefore, this thesis aims to prepare a conservation plan for historic city gates of Nagaur, Rajasthan. Before coming down to gates of Nagaur, a comprehensive study was done to understand fortified cities and its functioning, along with the role of city gates in different fortified cities of Rajasthan in the present scenario. It is followed with detailed documentation of all the city gates located within the Nagaur city and establishing their value and significance. The main conclusion relates to the various issues, causing rapid deterioration of historic city gates in the present scenario, how their usage has changed over time from the defence, security to just a landmark point. The mismatch in urban planning and change has resulted in severe damage to these gates, because of lack of maintenance and excessive encroachment. Even now in the age of rapid urbanization, they carry high imageability and hold value in the developing city. Therefore, this thesis is developed with a vision to restore and revitalize these spaces by making them in use again to bring back their utility. This will result in their preservation and help in retaining symbolism, significance and identity as they were an integral part of history for the future generation to see.