SARMISTHA CHATTERJEE SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE SPA/AC/NS/555 SYNOPSIS THESIS PROJECT: CONSERVATION OF THE HISTORIC TEMPLE PRECINCT OF KALIGHATCONSERVATION OF HISTORIC TEMPLE PRECINCT OF KALIGHAT, KOLKATA INTRODUCTION As Ganga represents a spiritual, cultural and historical continuity for this country, Adi (Qld) Ganga evokes similar feeling for the southern parts of Bengal. This river once flowed through what is now called South 24-Paragans and emptied into the Bay of Bengal, and along whose course flourished ancient civilizations and populaces, many of which exist to this day. Kalighat, the city's religious hub and one of the most important pilgrimage centres in the country, stands on the bank of Adi Ganga. This religious precinct lies within the city of Calcutta flanked by the river Bhagirath! also known as Adi Ganga or Tolly’s Nullah ( named after William Tolly, a British major who revitalized the river for better trade) on one side and the then White Town of Calcutta Presidency on either sides. This historic native town not only functions as a religious place but also acts as a cultural and philosophical centre. It also supports the economy of the city through its rituals and commercial activities. The Maha Shakti peeth lies within a closely knit urban setting consisting of a rich street pattem woven together with the Ifestyle and social character of the people. The residences define the lifestyle of the people and their social, economic and political influences that has been accepted and evolved over a period of 200 years. While looking at the Indian cities which have had an overriding colonial past, one often tends to underplay the simultaneous growth of its native society. Yet the multi layered changes triggered by this colonial imprint have led to distinct developments, in the shaping of the native culture. The political and social motivations, cultural diversification and altered living patterns present an alternative perspective to a city’s urban history In the present day context, with a fast growth and urbanization, religious centres have become @ centre of change in its social systems leading to pressure on both its tangible and intangible heritage leading to a loss of its values and character. This study attempts to learn from the past in order to understand the attitude towards the heritage and culture in the present day. It also aims at understanding a religious site and its built character through the life and culture of the people and their society. The study understands the values attributed to specific tangible and intangible elements which put together comprises the value in entity of the place as a settlement for the people residing within its fabric and as a centre of pilgrimage for those associated directly or indirectly. SARMISTH, |ATTERIEE“SCHOOL OF PLANNIKASHIPUR CHITPUR * 3 1690 HAGHA unre, 1756 cttanpral CHAT 9g, cst 1 ARMENIAN CHURCH PORTUGURSE CHURCH, ST ANNE'S CHURCH ls, courT HOUSE NEW FORT wiLLiam CHOURANGI CHITPUR ROAD: SERAND ROAD, 5 HOUBAZAR ST 8, DHARAMTALA EVOLUTION OF KALIGHAT AND ITSURBAN EXPANSION vninn SATIOL«p ICEROY'S PALACE 2. GOVERNOR'S HOUSE