The Impressive TimesUnion Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat along with Lt. Governor, V.K. Saxena and CM Rekha Gupta unveiled the restored medieval-era Sheesh Mahal and other heritage structures at Shalimar Bagh in North Delhi. Area MP, Praveen Khandelwal, Vice Chairman DDA, N Saravana Kumar, Director General ASI, Yadubir Singh Rawat, other senior officers of GNCTD and DDA were also present on the occasion.
The restoration of Shalimar Bagh was undertaken on the initiative of and under the direct supervision of LG, who first took a serious note of these dilapidated and crumbling heritage structures, buried under silt and overgrown vegetation due to decades of neglect, during his visit to the site in January, 2024. The responsibility of restoring this heritage site was entrusted to DDA under the technical supervision of ASI.
The restoration work is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’, under which the DDA, along with ASI, has undertaken numerous restoration and preservation efforts, vis-à-vis Delhi’s rich heritage. The restoration of Shalimar Bagh comes after successful conservation of heritage sites like Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Anangpal Tomar Van (previously known as Sanjay Van) in South Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, said, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture was proactively working to protect and promote the rich heritage of the country, particularly Delhi, under the leadership of the Prime Minister. He also lauded the conservation efforts being undertaken by the DDA and assured full support of the Centre in protecting these heritage jewels.
LG, Saxena also commended DDA and ASI for meticulously carrying out the restoration works and said these revived structures would go a long way in preserving the rich heritage of Delhi. He also urged the people of Delhi to come together and become a stakeholder in maintaining these restored sites that would ensure that these priceless heritage sites do not get encroached again and that they remain forever clean and green.
Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta thanked the LG, for his painstaking efforts in restoring Delhi’s heritage sites that were completely neglected over the decades. She also appreciated and thanked the LG for his constant guidance and motivation regarding the various developmental works in Delhi.
Shalimar Bagh, built in 1653, has seen many phases of history, from the Mughal period to British rule. It has witnessed many historical events and changing rulers over time. As part of its restoration, while the ASI restored Sheesh Mahal’s heritage elements, a Mughal-style Char Bagh landscape design has been developed by DDA to complement the monument.
DDA has also restored an almost decayed baradari and three heritage cottages within the Shalimar Bagh. Through meticulous conservation efforts, these historic buildings have now been restored to their ancient glory. The structures including the historic baradari, have been carefully restored using traditional materials and techniques such as lime concrete, lime surkhi, lakhauri bricks, and natural binders such as gud, belgiri, and urad to ensure authenticity and strength.
After restoration, two of the cottages have been adaptively re-used for community-focused purposes. The Readers Café Corner, a book café aimed at fostering literary engagement, and Café Shalimar, a cafeteria for park visitors, now occupy these restored spaces, reviving their relevance and making them hubs of cultural and social interaction. A smaller third cottage has also been restored and repurposed to a contemporary usage for official purposes while still preserving its unique architectural legacy.
DDA is actively working to protect and restore heritage structures across Delhi through dedicated conservation efforts. Projects like the restoration of Mehrauli Archaeological Park, St. James Church, Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti, and heritage structures at Anangpal Tomar Van demonstrate this commitment. These restored sites provide new avenues for the public to engage with the city’s history while also serving as spaces for recreation.
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