Abstract:
The thesis explores the historical and architectural significance of garhis, unique residential structures with military defence features. Garhis, symbolic of Maratha military prowess, were strategically designed to safeguard inhabitants against threats, embodying a fusion of military and civic architecture. The Holkar Garhi in Chandwad, Maharashtra, a relic from the Maratha era, features structures like residential wadas, temples, and gateways, reflecting the region's rich history and culture.
The study is to understand garhis as a building typology and to analysing the significance, architectural features, and settlement pattern around the Holkar Garhi. The study's focuses on protecting and managing the identity of the garhi as a heritage structure of Maharashtra, with examining the historical, political, and architectural aspects of garhis.
The thesis is to study and then to preserve and showcase the Holkar Garhi as a living museum, emphasizing the neglected typology of garhis and their importance in understanding regional history, defence mechanisms, and architectural heritage.
