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: Preservation of our built heritage has proved to be quite a challenge of late, but if an example in Barabanki near Lucknow is anything to go by, then there is hope for the future.
Jahangirabad Fort, a 19th century monument has an unusual story to tell about what a group’s efforts of can do to save the country’s heritage.
The Jahangirabad Fort was completely in ruins till a few years back. Today it is about to open its doors as the Jahangiragad Institute of Technology (JIT).
Manzoor Ghori, a social activist and an Indian settled in the US, completely fell in love with the place when he first visited it.
Aiming to serve society, he decided to revive the structure. Ghori was soon joined by Khwaja Hussain and Shahid Javed, and today there are many other big names associated with the cause.
“I was living comfortably in the US when Ghori invited me to join his efforts in the revival of the fort and turn it into a centre of learning for the people of Barabanki. Initially I had some inhibitions but eventuallly the instinct to serve the nation overpowered me and I joined Ghori”, says Hussain.
The fort, about 35 kms from Lucknow, is spread over 30 acres in Barabanki district.
The fort was built around 150 years ago and was one of the major centres of the 1857 uprising. “UP is among one of the most underdeveloped sta tes in India. With JIT, we have made an attenpt to bring better opportunities to the underprivilged population of this part of society. There is a need to correct this imbalance”, says Gauhar Raza, a scientist in the field of communications, who is also actively associated with the cause.
Revamping the structure was a major challenge. “We had estimated a budget of Rs eight crore for the entire project and to raise it was not easy. Our friends in the US and India funded the project. At first it was difficult to convince them but eventually we were successful”, says Hussain.
The renovation of the fort was done under Govind Ram, an engineer who got associated with the project when he met Hussain in Lucknow. “ When I first saw the building I was horrified by the dilapitated condition of the structure. At first I outrightly rejected the project but later the urge to preserve a...
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