Mughal architecture under the cloud of demolition: Environmental effects on monuments

Abstract

Lahore is the city of Mughal heritage in the true sense of the word. Grand buildings with a delicate touch of landscaping express the story of a splendid era of building construction. Some chapters of this monumental architecture have been torn or distorted by subsequent rulers and others are fading away due to the aggressiveness of the environment but still stand as a witness of Mughal grandeur. This paper describes the impact of aggressiveness of the environment on the gradual destruction of the three gems of Mughal architectural treasures: Lahore Fort, Jehangir's tomb and Shalimar Gardens. The main emphasis is on structural damages. Out of the three aforementioned sites, two, the Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens, were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1981, but this status is depleting swiftly due to the ill-planned rehabilitation works funded by UNESCO. This negligence in the refurbishment is aggravating the destruction by environmental agents and these buildings are still struggling with the fate keeping a hope of reappraisal of its past in the form of restoration.