World Heritage Day 2025: 50 Heritage Structures In Bhopal Encroached Upon

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Around 50 heritage structures in the city, dating back to Nawabi, Gond, and Parmar eras have fallen into the hands of encroachers. The structures include Darwazas (gates), palaces, buildings, lakes and ponds.

The encroached monuments include Dakhil Darwaza, Islami Darwaza, Lal Darwaza, Putlighar, Manuabhan Ki Tekri, Taj Mahal, and Rani Kamlapati Mahal. Besides, there are numerous encroachments on Upper Lake, Lower Lake, Lendiya Talab, Munshi Hasan Khan Taalab and Siddique Hasan Khan Talab. The One-Tree Hill in Bairagarh and Khanugaon also have numerous encroachments. 

The Dakhil Darwaza, also known as Shah Jehanabad Gate, is a part of the larger Taj Mahal palace complex, located at an inclined axis to the domed gateway of the main palace. On the two sides of the double-storied structure stand four halls with arches and shutters. On both sides of the gate are Baggi parking spaces. 

It is surrounded by shops and gumtis and plastered with posters and banners. The Lal Darwaza and Islami Darwaza are surrounded by vehicle repair shops. There are around 200 shanties around the Lendiya Talab located in Ramnagar Colony.

The Siddique Hassan Khan Talab, opposite Taj-ul-Masajid, has around 100 encroachments. Munshi Hasan Khan Talab near Noor Mahal has more than 10 encroachments. Khanugaon - an entire locality - has come up on the bed of Upper Lake.

The Lower Lake has been encroached upon by Jain Mandir, Qutbi Masjid, Khatlapura Mandir and even a Sulabh Shauchalaya has been constructed there. 

The total number of heritage structures in the city is around 290 of which around 25% are owned by the government, 25% are under Waqf Board, 10% under Shahi Auqaf and the rest are owned by private individuals. There is no ASI-protected monument in the city.

Only five monuments have been declared protected by the Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Archaeology.  They include Dost Mohammed and Fateh Bibi’s tomb, Cenotaph of Khushwant Rai Saxena, Maulana Azad Central Library, Gol Ghar and Moti Mahal

Bhopal has a rich heritage - both man-made as well as natural. Unfortunately, encroachments have marred their beauty. We cannot look only to the government to protect our heritage. The people of the city would have to come forward for it. We have submitted a list of 290 monuments to be included in the city's new Master Plan. -SM Hussain, heritage expert  

Entry to MP’s museums, monuments to be free today

Entry will be free for visitors to all the museums and state protected monuments operated under the Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on Friday to mark World Heritage Day. Culture minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi urged all tourists and visitors to take advantage of this opportunity to see and know our heritage, culture and historical monuments.