It is just three quarters of a century that Dogra rule came to an end and has been replaced by popular Government. The Dogras ruled for one full century and by and large, it was a century of peace and tranquillity without being marred by any war or made to suffer any big natural calamity. They had time, energy and resources to build the Durbar Complex now called Mubarak Mandi to house the durbar, courts, secretariat and the residential palaces of the royalty and space for security guards. The architecture of Mubarak Mandi Complex is traditional in style meaning that it is what was in vogue at that time. We can say that it was a mixture of Mughal and Rajput style of architecture in which scientific aspects of a building in tropical condition were less known and cared for. Whatever the case, this complex has a great history behind it because it was here where the power of Dogra kingdom remained concentrated.
When Indian states were absorbed into the Union after the independence in 1947, the large number of princely states maintained their durbar complexes more as destinations for tourists and the archaeological enthusiasts than residential quarters. The life style had changed after the States joined the Union. In the process, the concerned states took over the supervision, conservation and improvement of the monuments of historical importance left behind by the rulers, who having lost the grandeur of olden days, moved into smaller accommodation as they were unable to undertake maintenance of huge complexes. The case with Mubarak Mandi was that though it was no more the seat of royalty because the institution of royalty had vanished, but remained the seat of the Government accommodating as many as 72 offices besides the High Court and the Sessions Court. Of course the palaces of princes remained vacant and thus prone to the adverse effects of the vagaries of weather. Sadly, while the State offices and courts continued to be in place in Mubarak Mandi, no attention was paid to its conservation in face of harsh weather conditions. Naturally, it showed signs of degeneration. Some of the structures were even declared unsafe and the offices that these had housed were vacated to ensure that no accident took place that would claim precious lives.
It was only in the beginning of this century that some Jammu nationalists infused by the spirit of Jammu history and culture took up the question of preserving and conserving of the entire Mubarak Mandi Complex. It was then that momentum gathered in the civil society for demanding that the entire Mubarak Mandi Complex was preserved and saved from dilapidation because it was closely connected with the history of the dynasty and the region. Thus came into being the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS).
In due course of time, Jammu civil society evinced keen interest in the preservation and conservation of these prestigious monuments. Archaeological Survey of India with its branch in Srinagar also got interested and after negotiations and completion of many formalities, the ASI undertook repair and renovation work in a part of the complex. The Chief Minister of the State is the ex-officio president of the Society which has been formed with the purpose of preserving and conserving the monument and drawing the plan of how it has to be when repairs, renovations and other embellishments are added to the complex. The ASI began its work according to the plan it had drawn and got approved by the State Government. Government of India provided initial funding to the tune of 50 crore rupees plus 20 crore rupees from another head under the Department of Tourism in New Delhi. Various works have been undertaken by the contractors who have experienced and qualified manpower in engineering side with them.
However, notwithstanding small or big bottlenecks which confronted the ASI and other stakeholders in the preservation of the complex, the ASI did complete the partial assignments offered to it. But then the problem is with the Society itself. It is learnt that there are more divergent than convergent views in Society or the executive body about the approach to the question of preserving of the complex. After all, there have to be the blue prints. Internal dissensions in the Society over various issues have resulted in slowing down of the entire scheme. There are suggestions that the Society should be reshuffled so that there is more of convergence of opinion on vital issues.
Judged from different angles, the Mubarak Mandi Complex has ultimately to be the tourist hub as it is close to the main squires (chowks) of the city of Jammu. Many bazaars had come up in the close vicinity of the complex and it boosted the economy of the town. Essentially, the Mubarak Mandi complex must serve to important purposes. One is that it should be the main tourist site for the visitors and secondly, when a museum is developed as part of the complex, it will be a source of attraction of tourists, scholars and lovers of art. As it is located at a central place in the old city, obviously trade and commerce will receive boost once the complex begins to be functional in letter and spirit.
In addition to these aspects, Mubarak Mandi Complex has cultural and historical attributes of which the people of Jammu feel proud about. Preservation of heritage is a golden principle of the Government of India and it is in line with this thinking that the Archaeological Survey of India has been created. But experience has shown that strong support from the civil society to the preservation of their heritage is the prime catalyst to prepare the Government for giving priority to the conservation projects in the State and the country.
In final analysis, preservation and conservation of Mubarak Mandi Complex is a vey big project. It will consume many years of work and also will require huge funding. We have to be prepared for a bigger effort and subscription to the conservation of this historical monument. It is the pride of Jammu and it has to emerge as the focal point in Jammu’s cultural life in years to come.
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