The Moghulpura Walk

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.