British-era bungalows, havelis of erstwhile nawabs to get facelift by Gyan Varma Wednesday, June 25, 2008 from http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1173376 NEW DELHI: A new lease of life is in store for at least half-a-dozen old havelis of erstwhile nawabs as the authorities in Delhi have finally taken it upon themselves to restore the structures after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) declined help. The authorities in Ajmer (Rajasthan), Rampur, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) and Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh) had earlier approached the ASI to take over the structures of historical importance and help restore them, but the archaeologists did not agree. Now, after much brainstorming, the authorities have approached the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to carry out a study to determine the feasibility of restoring the old mansions. Apart from the lavish mansions of the nawabs, the CPWD would help in restoration of the houses and barracks of British officers who crushed the sepoy mutiny of 1857. CPWD officers said they would also try and rope in other professionals who could help them restore the old structures without tampering with their architecture. "It is important that such old buildings are restored in the true sense. We have decided that if there is a need, we will take help of professionals outside our organisation who could help us restore these mansions," a senior officer of CPWD said. Officials said the first batch of engineers had already started the restoration of the nawab residences in Neemuch and Ajmer. ============================ --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar