In April, Hindustan Times highlighted the poor condition of the complex and the need for timely conservation. Once the summer palace of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, Zafar Mahal is rapidly running to ruins. The ASI-protected monument was originally built by Akbar Shah II in 1820. It was expanded during Bahadur Shah Zafar’s reign, with new structures including a gateway built under his rule.

Maulvi Zafar Hasan, the ASI archaeologist who prepared the first list of monuments worthy of conservation in 1916, in his listing states that Bahadur Shah Zafar constructed the new gateway to facilitate the entrance of elephants. A marble inscription at the entrance mentions its year of construction as 1264 in the Islamic calendar (1847-8 AD).

Over the years, huge sandstone slabs from the gateway have fallen off, while deep cracks run across its length. Several slabs from the gateway’s ceiling have also collapsed over time. Floral motifs on the marble portion of the gateway are broken, and various parts of the gate have been vandalised with graffiti and carvings. The palace interiors too, are a sorry sight, with plaster peeling off, broken ceiling, and caved-in stairs that have rendered some parts of the monument inaccessible.

Conservation architect Misbah Noorie, who is the ASI in charge of the complex, said work on the complex will be carried out in multiple phases. In the first phase, the ground floor of the complex will be repaired and preserved. “The documentation and assessment exercise has been completed. We will prepare the estimate soon. After August 15, we will float the tender and work should start after the G2O summit. The scope of work is significant and it will take some months to complete the first phase,” said Noorie. Moti Masjid, which is inside the tomb complex, will also be spruced up as part of the exercise, he said.

Noorie said that conservation will largely focus on strengthening the complex and restoring the continuity of the ornamental carvings that have faded or disappeared over time. Noorie added that parts where stone slabs have gone missing and other damaged areas will also be repaired. “We will first look after the urgent repairs on the ground floor. In subsequent phases, other parts will be covered,” said Noorie.

Sohail Hashmi, a history buff, said that the balconies on the entrance gateway of the complex were particularly damaged. “Some years ago, they placed a scaffolding at the entrance gate but work never took off. It’s good if there are plans to carry out conservation but it should be done properly to ensure that the original features are not compromised with,” said Hashmi.