THE MAGNIFICENT MANSIONS OF HISTORICAL TOWN OF

SIDHPUR, GUJARAT

Kinnari Shankar Wagh

Brindavan College of Architecture, Brindavan Group of Instituitons, Bangalore, India

kinnariwagh@gmail.com

Theme - CITIES: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES (Historical Cities)

India has been invaded, ruled over, transformed and amalgated over ages and hence
consists of such a diverse style across the country. The research paper gives an account of the
historical city, Sidhpur in Gujarat which comprises largely of Bohra community. Founded in
943AD, Sidhpur is considered to be sacred and pious town.
The Bohra community migrated and settled into the existing style of vernacular house
form of Gujarat and moulded according to its requirement in terms of socio-cultural and
religious factors and yet retained few sustainable features. The mansions and dwellings here,
known as Bohra Houses are magnificent and marvellous piece of Architecture which
sustained for more than a century.
Presently, the dwellers have moved out to larger cities for better economic prospects,
living behind these mansions in the hands of caretaker and tenants and some are completely
unused, resulting into degradation of the built-form. The developers and builders are
constantly for look-out of these properties in terms of potential land for future developments
and have successfully brought down few of them in past few months. There is a need of
concern to preserve the essence of this heritage city. The paper talks about the current scenario
in Sidhpur and the challenges this historical city is undergoing.
The paper also gives a detailed framework of Sidhpur’s dwelling styles of existing and
new communities which helps us to understand the nature of the culture, building forms and
living spaces, relating to aspects such as Social, Cultural, Historical, Economical and
Climatic.

Keywords: Bohra Houses, Sidhpur, Vernacular, Historical cities, Gujarat