MOGHULPURA
WALK
Some notes
The
method:
Pleasant experience, not intrusive, made us
discover the place on our own largely. The context of the neighbourhood was
explained concisely before that self exploration. The groups were small enough
to discuss our observations, in addition to observing whatever we wanted. The
coming together at strategic landmarks like Sardar Mahal set a context of time
& architectural style.
However, the intermediate meeting point of the
maidan should have been a place of discussion of the various experiences.
The
Neighbourhood:
Travelling on the outer roads & inner
roads differed due to the land use, commercial on the outer, residential otherwise. The internal roads were fairly wide
surprising for an old city neighbourhood, though the smaller lanes branching
further from this was of a scale more associated with an old city. Not much
activity in the neighbourhood….Sunday, maybe. Except at the public swimming
pool where hordes of exuberant kids fresh from the wet play were exiting. A lone old man was diligently
distributing philosophical pamphlets on
his cycle & was quite amenable to a conversation.
Character of buildings non-descript mostly,
with occasional flamboyant expressions of colour & treatment more inspired
by the modern indian style. Masjids stuck very dogmatically to the Islamic
style. One 150 year old house belonging to Mr. Mathur displayed use of Madras
roof, Jack-arched roofs in a courtyard & verandah layout. No significant
embellishment in the interiors. The entry was typical of those in old cities,
narrow, dark, winding & cool.
Conclusion:
The introverted nature of an old city
lifestyle was conveyed through almost no interaction or possibility either on
the arterial inner roads because of the
scale of road & lack of visual & physical permeability. Even the public
spaces followed the same idiom.
