Amid a raging debate on heritage versus development, noted historians have urged the Bihar government to preserve the Patna Collectorate, saying the over 200-year-old building complex is “architecturally unique” and as important as the city’s veritable symbol Golghar.
The fresh appeal from scholars comes days after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had sought opinions from experts on whether the Collectorate should be preserved or not.
“If the government thinks that the Collectorate building’s historicity is merely that it was once a Dutch-era opium godown, then it reflects a very myopic vision on their part about the history of the building as well as the city.
The fact that they are of Dutch and British period, and endowed with unique architecture, warrant enough reasons for their preservation,” city-based historian Surendra Gopal said.
The 80-year-old scholar, author of “Patna in the 19th Century”, says, “After the Dutch left Patna, the British reused their factories as Collectorate and other purposes, so why can’t the Bihar government do so.”
According to District Magistrate Sanjay Agarwal, whose office is located in one of the British-era buildings sitting next to the Dutch-era Record Room, “It (Record Room) was merely used as a godown during the Dutch period. We don’t think there is more history to the Collectorate.”
Countering his opinion Mr. Gopal says, “It is sad the government takes such a dim view of history. Even the Patna College’s main administrative block was a Dutch opium godown, and the 1786-built Golghar, now a prime tourist attraction, was a granary. The Collectorate too can be adaptively reused keeping its architectural integrity intact.”
“Patna Collectorate’s over 200-year-old Dutch structure is unique and older than Golghar, the District Board Patna building of 1938 is a beautiful and unique specimen of British architecture. It is therefore as important as Golghar and Patna College for telling the city’s history,” he said.
Nitish Kumar had recently said: “I myself have never seen the Collectorate closely from a historical perspective. So, we will take the views on it by those who are studying it, to see its importance, and firm up on it. And, whatever proposal then comes from the Chief Secretary, we will look into that.”
Though the fate of the Collectorate still hangs in balance, the government’s rethinking the demolition decision has lent a glimmer of hope for heritage lovers across the city and Bihar that the landmark will be spared the wrecking ball.
An ad hoc committee, consisting of archaeology experts and historians recently sat and discussed the historic components of the Collectorate, its architecture, and history, and prepared a report on it, which has been submitted to the chief secretary, a top official said.
Incidentally, the Patna Collectorate is listed as a heritage building in a 2008 Bihar government publication by the Art and Culture Department, “Patna: A Monumental History” which was released by the chief minister.
Despite its historical value, the Collectorate is not protected either centrally or under the state archaeology department. As part of the redevelopment, the government has proposed a modern high-rise complex.
Historians have been demanding its legal protection for a long time and cautioned against the demolition decision.
History professor Ashok Anshuman at L. S. College in Muzaffarpur, currently researching on the history of the Patna High Court, says, “There cannot be two opinions on whether we should preserve the Collectorate or not.”
“If the government is asking whether opium godowns should be preserved as heritage then, yes it should be. Because, this is not any other building, we are talking about. It is a link to the Dutch history of Patna, and also symbolises the architecture of that era, which future generation must see to learn about their city’s past,” he said.
“Besides, the British used the Dutch building and added their own structures, so the place has a wonderful Anglo-Dutch heritage, and has full potential to become a tourist attraction, like the Golghar became, after the FCI godown was shifted from there,” Anshuman said.
The construction of Golghar, known for its winding staircases and unique whispering gallery began in 1770 after the great famine in Bengal, to store foodgrain. It has been for long the veritable symbol of Patna and day-time laser shows are held inside it.
Endowed with high-ceilings and hanging skylights, Patna Collectorate, along with Patna College and remains of opium godown at the Gulzarbagh Press, are some of the last surviving signatures of Dutch history of Patna. Oscar-winning film ‘Gandhi’ was also shot at Dutch-era Record Room and the DM Office building.
“The government can in fact prepare a Dutch tourism circuit spanning all these structures, and earn revenues.
Heritage should be seen as an asset and an opportunity and not a liability,” Mr. Gopal said, adding, “these buildings also tell the fascinating story of the opium trade of that era.”
According to Patna-based researcher and author Prabuddha Biswas: “The government needs a holistic policy to preserve colonial and medieval structures which are unprotected.”
“Old buildings should be maintained and reused, and new complimentary structures can be erected around the heritage ones without spoiling their grandeur. Demolishing it would rob the city of its wealth of history,” noted historian Narayani Gupta said.
According to “Patna: A Monumental History” book, the Collectorate started functioning from its present premises from 1857. The current Record Room (Dutch building) is housed in what used to be the Old Judges Court building, it says.
The Meeting Hall of the District Board Patna is also endowed with high ceilings and peculiar skylights and flat Corinthian columns and floral motifs on its inside walls.
The Dutch came to Patna in the early 17th century and renowned scholar K. K. Datta in his book “The Dutch in Bengal and Bihar 1740-1825 A.D.” describes the accounts of Dutch factories and houses in Patna, many of which were grand buildings surrounded with beautiful gardens. - PTI
