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“...earthquake and has also suggested the preferred course of action for the severely damaged Dharhara Tower.
Keywords: Architectural considerations, restoration, heritage buildings, earthquake, Patna, Dharhara Tower, Sher Shahi Mosque.
Introduction
An earthquake of 7.9 magnitude in Nepal on April 25, 2015 severely damaged four of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu valley1 including the 183-year old Dharhara tower in the centre of Kathmandu (Fig. 1).
An important landmark in the city, Dharhara tower was originally built by the Rana Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in 1825-26 for Queen Lalit Tripura as part of the city’s first European-style palace. Though it survived the earthquake of
1833, the 8.4 magnitude Bihar-Nepal earthquake of 1934 caused severe damage when only two of the eleven stories of the tower remained. However, it was restored later with only nine storeys. It was designed in Mughal and European style, resembling an Islamic minaret. It comprised a spiral staircase inside with...”
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“...type domes. Its Baroque-style curvilinear gables clearly reveal a Dutch influence while the rounded Moorish columns made of wrought iron, represent the architecture of the Andolusian Spain. Two variations of the pointed arch have been used in this building; the “four-centered pointed cusped arch” (of Iranian mould) and the “trefoil arch.” The building has 500 mm thick walls, shaded clerestory windows and Madras roof.20
This building withstood the earthquakes of 1934 and the 1988 but during the Nepal earthquake of 2015, cracks were observed in the comer of the upper floor and in the crown of adjacent arches.20
Results
The following facts have been revealed by the six case studies detailed above:
(1) Type of damage: The most interesting observation from the case studies is that the very elements and features that impart monumental status to a building are the once that are the most vulnerable to earthquakes. These are: (1) arches -in five of the six buildings, damages were reported/observed...”
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“...are among the causes which when combined with a destructive natural event such as an earthquake, generate a significant impact in the amount and quality of heritage buildings.23
This aspect is particularly significant in Gol Ghar which was designed as a granary but was never used. This 230-year-old stupa shaped landmark has witnessed several earthquakes and has been refurbished recently for adaptive reuse which has not changed its architectural character.
Fig. 1: Dharhara Tower at Kathmandu, Nepal before and after the earthquake of April 25, 2015
(Source: http://www.theguardian.com)
31...”
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“...Disaster A dvances
Vol. 10 (7) July (2017)
Table 1
Largest measured earthquakes in Bihar
Place Date Magnitude Epicentre
Eastern Nepal33 26.8.1833 7.9 ±0.1 27.500° N, 86.500° E
Bihar-Bengal area34 11.11.1842 Maximum intensity IX 27.000° N, 88.300° E
Bihar-Nepal border 15.1.1934 8.4 26.500° N, 86.500° E
Udaypur Gahri, Nepal 20.8.1988 6.8 26.755° N, 86.616° E
Lamjung, Nepal 25.4. 2015 7.9 28.147° N, 84.708° E
Aftershock of Nepal earthquake 12.5.2015 7.3 27.837° N, 86.077° E
Table 2
Selected Heritage Buildings taken-up for case study
S.N. Name Constructed in Managed by Architectural Style Damaged on Extent of Damage
1. Sher Shahi Mosque 1541-45 WAQF Board Afghan Style 15.1.1934 Collapse of 4 small domes
2. Gol Ghar 1786 Govt, of Bihar Stupa style Several Cracks in dome
3. NIT Patna 1898-1902 NIT Patna Indo-saracenic revival 12.5.2015 Fine cracks in arches
4. Secretariat 1913-15 Govt, of Bihar Stripped neoclassical 15.1.1934, 20.8.1988 Collapse of Tower
5. Patna High Court 1913-16 Govt, of Bihar...”
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“...prone to collapse due to inherent weakness of brick masonry. One may, therefore be inclined
to suggest preserving the ruins in-situ as a poignant reminder to the supremacy of nature, instead of restoration, considering the cost involved. However, the Dharhara Tower was not only an iconic structure in Kathmandu but a national monument of Nepal having international significance and was accordingly selected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The local population also associated immense cultural and emotional value with this Tower. At the same time the tower had a military function.
Considering the immense significance of the Dharhara Tower in the history of Nepal, it is recommended that the severely damaged Dharhara tower may be reconstructed in its original form with appropriate structurally strengthened to prevent further damage. This will help regain its position as an important tourist spot. To ensure recovery of costs in reconstruction, a token fee may be collected from those visiting this...”
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“...Disaster A chances
Vol. 10 (7) July (2017)
References
1. Brown M., Nepal earthquake destroys Kathmandu valley’s architectural treasures, The Guardian (2015)
2. Bhimsen Tower (Dharahara), Lonely Planet (2015)
3. Earthquake in Nepal demolishes Darahara Tower, DNA (2015)
4. Bureau of Indian Standards, IS 1893 (Part 1), Indian Standard Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures Part 1, General Provisions and Buildings, (Fifth Revision) (2002)
5. Yang A.S., Bazaar India, University of California Press (1999)
6. Ahmad Q., Patna through the ages, Glimpses of history, Society and Economy (1988)
7. O’Malley L.S.S., Bihar and Orissa District Gazetteer, Patna, Logos Press (1923)
8. Firminger W.K., The Diaries of Three Surgeons of Patna 1763, Catholic Orphan Press (1909)
9. Kazimi M. and Kumar R., Historic Patna Series-1, Heritage Buildings (2013)
10. Archaeological Survey of India, List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of Bihar, Archaeological Survey of India (2011)...”
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