Located in the tranquil village of Kontrila, about 15km south of Gujar Khan tehsil, the Bakhshi Ram Singh Haveli stands as a testament to the grandeur of a bygone era.

Today, it is, however, a shadow of its former glory, with its interior crumbling and intricate carvings barely visible beneath the layers of neglect.

Despite its deteriorating condition, the haveli still whispers stories of its past—a time when it was the heart of the region’s cultural and architectural splendour.

The haveli was built by Bakhshi Ram Singh, a prominent local businessman and aristocrat, in the late 19th century during colonial rule – a period which brought significant political and cultural changes to the region.

“This haveli in honour of Bakhshi Ram was erected in 1886,” the entrance of the building boasts.

The architecture is a fusion of “traditional Punjabi and Mughal styles”, reflecting the cultural amalgamation of the time. It has four floors, including a basement, 32 rooms, courtyards, two watch towers, wide verandas, and ornate wooden carvings that speak of the opulence that once defined the residence.

The haveli also had a secret room where jewellery, cash, and other important documents were kept.

According to the elders of the Kontrila village, the Bakhshi Ram Singh Haveli was the hub of social and political life in the region. It used to host grand gatherings, and local elites, the officials of the British colonial administration, and other key personalities would often converge here to discuss politics, governance, and business over lavish feasts.

The end of colonial rule in 1947 with the partition of India also kicked-started its decline. Many prominent families in the region lost their power and influence, and the family of Bakhshi Ram Singh also migrated to India, leaving his lavish residence to the mercy of time. Local villagers, without the resources or knowledge to restore the haveli, watched on as it slowly deteriorated.

According to Babu Khalid, the haveli continued to serve as a school for children till 1975, and as the years passed, it fell into disrepair.

The building, once full of life, was left to the mercy of time and the elements, he said, adding that the building now “remains permanently locked and is rarely opened” if someone would come to visit it. “…the intricate woodwork has faded, and the expansive courtyards [have] become overgrown with weeds and wild plants, while the roofs of many rooms have caved in,” he regretted.

Another villager Mirza Nazar Hussain told Dawn that the roofs of the haveli could not bear the weight of even one person anymore and the once-glorious haveli looked like a haunted house as it was now home to thousands of bats.

He said that the conservation of the haveli was tasked to the Punjab Walled Cities and Heritage Areas Authority (PWCHAA) but the restoration could not start for unknown reasons.

PWCHAA Director General Kamran Lashari, who once headed Islamabad’s civic body, said a survey was conducted for the pavement of the haveli’s internal gateway, surface levelling, wooden roof restoration, metal plasterwork, windows restoration, and the establishment of a public service washroom.

The conservation project was, however, facing delays due to funding issues and would start on a priority if funds were arranged for it, he added.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2024