The beauty of Mubarak Manzil has been buried in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Mubarak Manzil was an important Mughal heritage of the 17th century, which was built by Aurangzeb after his victory in the battle of Samugarh (Samogar). During the British rule, this building was used as a salt office, custom house and goods depot. Many changes were made in it after 1817. The building was expanded to two storeys. The land on which Mubarak Manzil was built was currently owned by late Umesh Khandelwal, which was sold by his son Amit Khandelwal to builder Vikas Jain.
It is alleged that Mubarak Manzil has been demolished by builder Vikas Jain to the extent of 70 percent. This incident has happened three months after the State Archeology Department issued a notification declaring this building as protected. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandi Ben Patel had issued a notification declaring Aurangzeb ki Haveli (Mubarak Manzil) as a protected building on September 30, 2024. Objections were sought regarding this order till October 30. Before the State Archeology Department could issue the final notification declaring this Mughal era building as protected, builder Vikas Jain got a bulldozer started on it.
Mubarak Manzil was an important part of Mughalia Riverfront Garden.
Mubarak Manzil is built on 0.634 hectares, with a road in the north and Yamuna river in the east. This mansion has been recorded at number 35 in the map of Raja Jai ​​Singh. The mansion was an important part of the Mughalia Riverfront Gardens. About 15 days ago the team of the State Archeology Department had visited Mubarak Manzil. At that time the work of demolishing 1500 yards of the building was going on. After the team inspected the spot, the issue suddenly came into limelight, due to which 3-4 days ago the State Archeology Department banned any kind of demolition in Mubarak Manzil.
In this regard, Agra District Magistrate Arvind Mallapa Bangari came in front of the camera and refused to say anything. DM said that an inquiry committee has been formed on the issue of Mubarak Manzil, which will submit its report soon. He said that action will be taken against the culprits as per the recommendations made by the inquiry committee in its report. The State Archeology Department says that information has been received about the demolition of the mansion. A team will go there and inspect. This is a heritage of the Mughal period, which cannot be broken. Action will be taken against whoever has broken it.
Historian Dalrymple condemned the demolition of Mubarak Manzil
Let us tell you that ASI is busy in saving the historical heritage in UP. In this regard, many heritage sites have also been identified in Agra. However, many other historical heritages could not be saved. Apart from Aurangzeb’s mansion, the Shahi Hammam of Chhipitola, Johra Bagh on the banks of Yamuna and the Lodi era mosque on the Delhi Highway have been badly damaged. The State Archeology Department has taken cognizance of the Hammam by freeing it from encroachment. Scottish historian William Dalrymple has strongly condemned the demolition of Agra’s 17th century Mubarak Manzil.
He wrote in a post on X, ‘There is appalling neglect of historical heritage and heritage in India. One of the most important historical buildings of Agra was destroyed with the full connivance of the authorities. This is why India attracts so few tourists. The builder demolished the 17th century Mubarak Manzil of Agra. Ignore your main heritage sites, let developers demolish all your heritage properties and then wonder why this great country has less tourists than Dubai or Singapore.’
