Photos: 17th century ruin in Delhi stuck between Delhi govt, defence ministry dispute

The ruins of the 17th century Mehram Nagar stand crumbling as conservation efforts have hit a roadblock due to a dispute over jurisdiction between the Delhi state archaeology department and the Ministry of Defence.

Updated on: Nov 23, 2017 1:04 PM IST

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The 17th century Mehram Nagar caravanserai once comforted weary travellers. Today its ruins stand crumbling, wedged between Mehram Nagar village on one side and the Indira Gandhi Airport on the other. A jurisdiction dispute between government agencies has brought to a halt conservation efforts aimed at the decaying monument. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Years ago more than hundred inns --constructed for travellers with food being served free for up to three days-- dotted trade routes passing through the city. Today, its landscape is largely bereft of the historical structures, and even the few that survive like here in Mehram Nagar, exist in a dilapidated state. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Various significant features here--chhattris, gateways and pavilions-- have been vandalised over time. Though the state government had prepared a plan for its revival last year, conservation work was discontinued in May after a squabble between the state archaeology department and the Ministry of Defence. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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The enclosing walls of the sarai are perforated and a significant portion has collapsed with two of the chhattris also missing.The conflict among the agencies arose due to a peculiar situation --the land belongs to the defence ministry and the structures lie in the archaeology department’s list of protected monuments. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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A Muslim shrine also shares its part in the monument. This sarai with an attached garden was set up by Mehram Khan, a eunuch who headed the harem of Mughal courtier Muhammad Amin Khan under Emperor Aurangzeb’s rule. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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The site is popular among aeroplane spotters who come equipped with cameras in groups. As the caravanserai is located close to the domestic airport, planes fly at a low altitude over it. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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The garden area has turned into a veritable jungle with wild shrubs growing all over. A source said the conservator, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) had completed nearly 40% of the work when defence estates officer Alok Gupta raised the objection. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)

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Mehram Nagar village --a settlement that came up near the sarai-- opens with an imposing double-storey gateway with pointed arch openings, fitted with a huge wooden door. The ensemble of monuments has decayed to a wretched state. Though the sarai originally had three gateways, only one is still left standing. (Vipin Kumar / HT Photo)