Working with the Craftsmen: Challenges of Architectural Heritage Conservation in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh has a rich architectural heritage of Buddhist, Sultanate, Mughal and Colonial period. However, many of these architectural heritages have become ruins and dilapidated due to natural disasters, lack of maintenance and wanton human interferences. Architectural conservation in Bangladesh is a comparatively underdeveloped sector and not considered mainstream. Though discrete attempts have been taken, proper capacity-building of craftsmanship, skills and techniques yet have been ignored. In the conservation process, maintaining the authenticity and identity of the original structure is of utmost importance. Unfortunately, many buildings have lost credibility and longevity for ignorance and lack of understanding about the original building techniques and skills necessary to conserve that. However, attempts are being made to improve the situation. This qualitative study will document the pragmatic knowledge and process of skill-building, and the craftsmanship involved in several conservation projects at Narayanganj, Cumilla, Chittagong and Faridpur in Bangladesh undertaken by the authors. Skills like developing the correct proportion of lime mortar mixture, different types of brick masonry and craftsmanship in ornamentations like Chinni Tikri, terracotta, etc. have gone into oblivion due to the lack of practice and rapid change in building technology—but are now being revived. Interestingly, the skills are very site-specific, and the few craftsmen who still practice these traditional techniques are scattered around the country. The study will demonstrate several conservation attempts that helped to revive some of these skills. The paper will also shed light on the findings, suggestions and observations which may lead to further refinement.