Residents plunder Badshahpur Qilain in Haryana while ASI shows no interest

Bits and pieces of the Mughal-era Badshahpur Qila are spread across the village in the form of 'Delhi Quartz' stones studding the locals' homes.

It's a classic case of apathy which is compounded by greed. And the victim is a Mughalera palace - the Badshahpur Qila in Haryana. While the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is not interested in taking over this monument, the locals are busy plundering. So the stones of the palace are gone -usurped by the locals to build their own houses; just few remnants of the palace stand today like lonesome witnesses to remind that once a 'qila' stood there.

The Badshahpur palace and baoli, estimated to be spread over 14-15 acres of land in the 18th century, has now vanished from its Sohna Road location. The only evidences of its historic existence are a wall and a gate - buffaloes and goats tied to them. Over a dozen squatters now live in the 'mahal'. Bits and pieces of the palace are spread all across the village in the form of 'Delhi Quartz' stones studding the locals' homes.

Badshahpur Qila, as it is known here, was the maternal home of one of Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar's wives. Historians say this particular begum preferred to stay in this citadel for most of her time instead of the royal Mughal abode of Red Fort. Bahadur Shah Zafar was a frequent visitor here. Over the centuries the village has become known as 'Badshahpur' for being the badshah's in-laws' place of dwelling.

Dharamveer, 45, a local resident, said, "Ever since Gurgaon (eight km away) started growing and land became more scarce and costly, powerful people of the village started encroaching upon the qila and constructing on it."

"Many cleared the walls and marked it as their own, 20 years back. More recently they realised that building small rooms here and putting them on rent is more profitable," he said.

Currently, 150 families are living here and have even identified themselves as 'qila colony residents'. Of the palace, only a broken wall on the eastern side remains. A tunnel and mazaar of 'Peer baba' exist in the colony. Villagers say they haven't touched it out of reverence. A beautiful baoli (step-well) was an integral part of the historical site. This is now privately owned by an individual. Atul Dev, Coordinator of the Gurgaon Chapter of INTACH, said, "We have offered to restore the baoli many times. But this man who owns the baoli says that we should give him the money and he will restore it himself."

The ASI has not shown any interest in taking over the monument. However, Haryana Tourism lists it as a 'Place of Interest'.

A former sarpanch of Badshahpur, Subhash Tyagi,said, "It may be possible that the government did not acquire such a land or property as it falls in 'Lal Dora' land, but it cannot run away from its responsibility to protect such a monument."