JAISALMER
HERITAGE CENTRE
Following its initial awareness raising efforts in the UK, JiJ brought
Jaisalmer's plight to the attention of the World Monuments Fund USA which resulted
in Jaisalmer being listed
on the
World Monuments Watch programme as among its 100 Most
Endangered Sites in the World.
(left: JiJ Trustee Anwar Siddiqi with Kiki Siddiqi in Jaisalmer)
WMF USA awarding it their maximum grant of
US $100,000 which helped to finance the first project in the
city, the Restoration of the magnificent Maharani's Palace, or
Rani-ka Mahal, the oldest Rajput Palace in existence which now houses the new Jaisalmer Heritage Centre;
marrying contemporary museum design
with traditional craftsmanship.
JiJ funds have gone towards creating
two galleries within the Centre, on art and cultural heritage.
As well as an exhibition and museum space for visitors,
the Centre is also designed as a community space for Fort residents and houses a new *Crafts Centre for Woman and a Children's Library.
This
magnificent building, the oldest Rajput palace in existence, opened to
the public as the
Jaisalmer Heritage Centre in 2001.
JIJ'S FLAGSHIP STREETSCAPE PROJECT COMPLETED
JiJ is delighted to announce that the fourth and final phase of the award-winning Streetscape Revitalisation Project is complete.
This project represents a rare achievement in India, integrating
the conservation of public and private amenities and spaces, from repaving the
streets
and renewing drains to cleaning residential facades and replacing harmful cement with traditional lime-based mortar.
Perhaps the most significant aspect
for some 2,500 fort residents was the installation of lavatories for every household in need.
All four phases of the project were carried out in association with INTACH, and from the commencement of
Phase II under the auspices of JiJ's own on-site architect Radhika Dhumal.
Since commencing in 1999 with two historic streets, Kotri Para (pictured left before restoration work) and Dhunda Para, (below right after restoration)
the project has been extended
to all main streets within the
fort and our
prime objectives have been met. The fort is now virtually watertight, thus stopping the destructive effect of waste water leaking into the foundations.
Property owners and residents are aware of conservation needs and have become involved in the management of their environment. The use of traditional materials
and technology and local craftsmen have helped to maintain dying skills. Above all,
the project has helped to preserve Jaisalmer's unique character and traditional
ways of life. It is hoped that it will serve as a model for other communities.
All phases of the Streetscape Project have been funded by the Staples Trust and JiJ would like to extend its grateful thanks to the Trust for its generosity and
faith in the project, and to its Chairman, Jessica Sainsbury who personally knows and loves Jaisalmer.
RESTORATION OF HAR RAJ JI KA MAHAL
The Maharaja's Pa
lace – Har RaJi Kah Mahal -one of
the oldest and most significant building complex in Jaisalmer Fort had been desperately in need of
restoration work for some time. Parts of the structure had collapsed internally, and further excarebated by the 2001 Gujarati earthquake.
fallen debris had pushed the external
wall three feet out of plumb, (left) so that it bulged precariously over the street and affected connecting structures.
Immediate stabilisation was necessary, involving extensive and careful
dismantling of the bulging wall (right) before further
excavation work could be carried out.
Working in partnership with the Giridhar Samarak Trust of Jaisalmer and World Monuments Fund, USA JiJ was happy to channel funds raised
at the 2000 Royal Geographical Society Mela towards this important project.
In Phase 1 of the
restoration work reconstruction of the dismantled wall was completed, making the adjacent street safe for pedestrians once more. 
This first phase also
surprisingly revealed columns dating back to the 14th century.
The restoration/excavation of this section of the Maharaja's Palace also indicated that further works (Phase 2)
should be undertaken,
which JiJ in partnership again with the Giridhar Samarak Trust and WMF USA agreed to contribute funds.
Phase 2 has resulted in the restoration of the Payaga Gate and all floors of Section A, including the terrace.
Section B is partially complete and will be completed in Phase 3 along with the restoration of the third, fourth and fifth floor in section B.
JiJ ia pleased to be involved with this vital project, which is implemented on the partnership’s behalf by INTACH.
Click to view Completion reports for both
Phase 1 and
Phase 2, along with a comprehensive selection of before and after photographs
Please note that the Completion Reports and 'before-after' files can take between 1 and 2 minutes to download.
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JIJ WINS UNESCO HERITAGE
AND BA TOURISM
FOR TOMORROW AWARDS
JiJ is delighted to announce the Jaisalmer Streetscape Revitalisation Project,
Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan, is the recipient of both an Honourable Mention Award in the
2002 Unesco Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Awards and the winner, in association
with Greaves Travel, of the Built Environment
Catagory in the British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.
The Unesco award carried
the following citation.
``The first phase of the streetscape revitalization project in the historic fort city
of Jaisalmer represents an exemplary holistic approach to conserving the living
public realm. Starting with the basic gesture of harmoniously integrating
infrastructural amenities such as drainage systems, into the traditional streetscape,
the project seeks to address a complete range of conservation issues,
including façade restoration and the provision of hygienic facilities. 
The integrated conservation effort will establish a mechanism for educating local
property owners and upgrading the entire fort in terms of modern functioning,
while maintaining Jaisalmer's unique urban character and prevailing traditional
ways of life. The project has the potential to create the momentum to drive a
larger conservation project, serving as a best practice case study for other
communities to learn from."
(ends)
The Unesco Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Awards recognise the contribution
individuals, organisations or companies have made to the conservation and restoration
of a structure or a series of structures which is/are more than 50 years old.
Houses, buildings used for commercial, cultural, religious, industrial or
institutional purposes, gardens and bridges are all eligible for consideration,
as are public-private partnership projects such as the conservation of historic
towns, urban districts and rural settlements.
The awards programme drew applications from 15 countries and administrative
areas in the Asia-Pacific region. The selection process was conducted by a panel of
international conservation experts in architecture, urban planning, landscape
design and heritage conservation, who met over three days to select the winners.
Another fort, Ahhichatragarh - Fort of Nagaur in Rajasthan was the overall winner
of The Award of Excellence. Other winners included The Yarikutz, Rupikutz, Kuyokutz,
Mamorukutz Mosques in Central Hunza, Pakistan (Award of Distinction) and The
Polsheer House, Jolfa, Isfahan, Iran (Award of Merit).
www.unescobkk.org/culture/heritageawards
The British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise best practice in the
field of sustainable tourism. Competing against entrants from 32 countries,
the winning projects were chosen from five environmental categories and announced at a
ceremony in London on 27 November, 2002.
Judged by an independent panel of leading environmental and conservation experts,
including David Bellamy, Virginia McKenna and Sir Crispin Tickell,
projects were assessed on the extent to which they benefit and involve the
local community and how they protect the natural environment.
The impact of visitors on the local environment was also monitored,
as well as energy and water sources and the effects of waste.
Professor David Bellamy, Chairman of the judging panel, said:
"The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are now firmly established as the global
showcase for sustainable tourism development. This year's winners are all
excellent examples of the way it is possible to captivate the tourist without
overlooking the needs of the environment and local people. Without efforts
like these, tourism itself faces a threatened future."
The aim of JiJ's Streetscape Project was to a) improve the welfare of residents,
b) return the streets to their former beauty by removing modern materials and
restoring the old fabric of the streets and c) stop the destruction of the Fort
caused by waste water seeping through cracks in the old drains and into the
hillside, which has in recent years resulted in dramatic subsidence and the
collapse of buildings and bastions.
The project, completed in 2001, included installation of lavatories and connection
to the underground sewerage system for every household; repaving the uneven streets
with Jaisalmer stone; relining the storm drainage and replacing the concrete
manhole covers with stone - a dramatic improvement in terms of aesthetics,
hygiene and the conservation of the fort, creating a better environment for
residents and visitors alike.
As with all 3 subsequent phases, The Streetscape Revitalisation Project Phase 1 was
made possible with funding by the Staples Trust (UK) and the work was carried
out on JiJ's behalf in Jaisalmer by INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and
Cultural Heritage).
AWARENESS-RAISING
JiJ will continue to raise funds for restoration and
complementary educational projects. Our awareness-raising efforts have
resulted in widespread media coverage in Britain and India (see Pressroom), and lectures at the Nehru
Centre, Royal Society for Asian Affairs and Royal Geographical Society.
JAISALMER IN JEOPARDY: A QUICK REFERENCE
17 December, 1994
Article ‘Collapse of the Golden City’ by Sue Carpenter is published in New
Scientist magazine and sent out to 100 influential people with an interest
in India, conservation and architecture, from the Prince of Wales in
Britain to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan. 7 June, 1995 Lecture on Jaisalmer in Jeopardy by Sue
Carpenter at the Nehru Centre, the cultural arm of the Indian High
Commission, London. An informal group springs from this event.
1 September 1995 The Jaisalmer in Jeopardy
campaign is presented with the award for Best Social Innovation in the
Environmental Category, by the Institute for Social
Innovations
17 May, 1996 The
charity is officially registered with the Charity Commission, UK
23 May, 1996
Jaisalmer Fort is selected for the inaugural *World Monuments Watch
list of 100 Most Endangered Sites in the world. Re-selected for the
1998 and 2000 Lists.
9 July, 1996 The
charity is officially launched with an exhibition of paintings,
prints and photographs of Rajasthan by contemporary artists, at the
Groucho Club, London. Around £5,000 is raised.
3 April, 1997
Lecture on Jaisalmer by Sue Carpenter for the Royal Society for
Asian Affairs at the Society of Antiquaries, London
29 September, 1998
First major fund-raising event, a lecture by Sue Carpenter on
Jaisalmer in Jeopardy, followed by a champagne reception at the
Royal Geographical Society
www.rgs.org, London, which
raises about £14,000.
29 January-1
February, 1999 Tented camp and mela in Jaisalmer, organised by
INTACH to raise funds for the Jaisalmer Conservation Initiative. A
uniting of Indian, British and American parties concerned about
Jaisalmer, the event is attended by leading figures from INTACH and
the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Trustees of Jaisalmer
in Jeopardy and the President and Vice-President of World Monuments
Fund.
27 March, 2000
Fashion show by top Indian designer Ritu Beri at the Rathaus,
Vienna, organised by the Vienna Indian Women’s Association, in aid
of Jaisalmer in Jeopardy and a local charity. Raises 64,700 Austrian
schillings (approx £3,235) for JiJ.
13 June, 2000 Second
major fund-raising event, a Rajasthani Tented Mela and lecture by
Clarissa Mitchell at the Royal Geographical Society, London, in the
presence of HH The Maharawal of Jaisalmer. Raises in excess of
£30,000.
October/November,
2000 First JiJ tour of Rajasthan raises approx £100 per member of
the group.
6 and 7 December,
2000 Fund-raising shopping evenings at Opium, the London emporium
for Indian furniture and gifts
February 2001 Second Sue Carpenter-led tour of Rajasthan
September 2001 Sue Carpenter invited to join Board of Jaisalmer Heritage Trust as 'Special Invitee'
3rd October 2001 Private View of John Mole paintings of Rajasthan at the Slademore Gallery, Mayfair.
6th November 2001 Diwali Dinner at Chelsea's Vama, The Indian Room for friends and supporters of JiJ, attended by HH The Maharawal of Jaisalmer
December
2001 Second fund-raising shopping evening at Opium 3rd October 2001 Private View
of John Mole paintings of Rajasthan at the Slademore Gallery, Mayfair. 6th
November 2001 Diwalia Dinner at Chelsea's Vama, The Indian Room for friends
and supporters of JiJ, attended by HH The Maharawal of Jaisalmer.
UNESCO's Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for
Culture Heritage Conservation
October 2002 Jaisalmer in Jeopardy in association with Greaves Travel awarded
winning entry in the Built Environment Catagory of British Airway's Tourism for
Tomorrow Awards
19th November 2002 City financial firm City Index hosts
fundraising Diwali Dinner at Westminster's Cinnamon Club
Decenber 2002 Third fund-raising shopping evening at Opium
23rd September 2003 INDIAN INK - Salman Rushdie and William
Dalrymple in conversation at a special private view of Christie's
Arts of India sale raising £18K+ for JiJ
13th November 2003 The Narrative Cloth - Gallery Talk
by Dr John Smith, Reader in Sanskrit at Cambridge University
on Pabuji ki par at the Joss
Graham Gallery as part of Asian Art Week in London
8th October 2004 INDIAN EXTRAVAGANZA AT THE V&A - Barry Norman and
Shekhar Kapur discuss Indian and international cinema at a special private
view of the V&A's major exhibition Encounters: The meeting of Asia
and Europe 1500-1800
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