Despite rapid urbanisation, Guwahati lacks a structured survey of its heritage buildings. There is no official list, no documented assessment of historical significance, and no clear preservation strategy
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Before the dust settled, before historians could document its architectural value, before conservationists could argue its case—Mahafezkhana was gone. The echoes of its past buried beneath debris, its history erased without a trace. But this was not just the fall of one building; it was a symptom of a much deeper crisis—Guwahati’s heritage is being dismantled without scientific mapping or public consultation.
Despite rapid urbanisation, Assam’s capital lacks a structured survey of its heritage buildings. There is no official list, no documented assessment of historical significance, and no clear preservation strategy. Decisions about demolition are being made arbitrarily, with structures over a century old being reduced to rubble under the banner of ‘beautification.’
Built between 1855 and 1865, Mahafezkhana was an irreplaceable piece of Assam’s bureaucratic history. A land records office of the colonial era, it safeguarded crucial documents—patta, jamabandi, and namzari papers—that mapped Assam’s administrative evolution. With its 20-inch-thick brick walls, imposing iron gates, and continuous verandahs, it stood as a silent witness to history, surviving the devastating earthquakes of 1897 and 1950.
But it could not survive the bulldozers of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA). The demolition, carried out without prior public consultation, caught residents off guard. By the time awareness turned into protest, it was already too late.
‘They Are Erasing History in the Name of Development’
Masaddar Hussain, a resident of Dighalipukhuri, expressed his frustration. “This is a crime against our history. First, they demolished the DC bungalow, and now this. Soon, we will be paying to see what once belonged to the people.”
Another Uzanbazar resident talking to GPlus said, “They are erasing everything in the name of beautification. The view from Dighalipukhuri to Panbazar is already blocked. Now with Mahafezkhana gone, what’s next?”
Senior journalist Mrinal Talukdar called the move ‘outrageous.’ “#Mahafezkhana—Assam’s oldest surviving concrete structure—has been destroyed in the name of park extension! This is not just demolition; this is desecration.”
Filmmaker Utpal Borpujari echoed the sentiment, stating, “What two of the biggest earthquakes couldn’t destroy, we have erased ourselves. This city has no respect for history.”
‘No Heritage Value’ – The Official Defence
Despite widespread condemnation, GMDA officials remain unfazed. A senior official stated, “We are only extending the park. I don’t think there was any heritage value there.”
This response has only fuelled public anger. Many question how a structure standing for over 160 years, housing vital historical records, could be dismissed so easily.Far from acknowledging its heritage value, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the government’s action and maintained that it was a ‘symbol of gulami’ (slavery) and “not an archaeological site”.
Where Is the Public Consultation?
For decades, decisions about Guwahati’s urban landscape have been made without consulting its citizens. Residents are questioning why they are not involved in matters that shape the cultural fabric of their city.
“Why don’t they ask us before demolishing historical buildings? Are we not part of this city?” asked a 50-year-old resident from Latasil. “We support development, but not at the cost of erasing our heritage.”
Talking to GPlus, Pinakhi Borua, a resident in Guwahati said, “Does the government even care about what we want? Heritage is our identity. These buildings should be preserved, not commercialised in the name of beautification.”
Scientific Mapping of Heritage Buildings: A Case of Too Little, Too Late?
However, talking to GPlus, a GMDA official stated that scientific mapping of heritage buildings in Guwahati is yet to be done. “We are thinking of starting after Bihu. The tender is yet to be floated.”
This declaration has only added to the outrage. Experts argue that heritage mapping should have been conducted years ago, before irreversible damage was done.
“We will begin with identifying buildings that qualify as heritage structures,” the official continued. “We will consult conservation architects and historians to determine which ones can be protected. But we can only intervene in public buildings, not private ones.”
The Conservation Crisis: No Experts, No Policies
One major challenge in preserving Guwahati’s heritage is the absence of conservation architects in Assam. “There are no proper jobs for conservation architects here,” admitted the GMDA official. “If we had them, we wouldn’t have to outsource everything.”
This lack of expertise has left many heritage structures vulnerable to demolition. “There are at least 20 to 50 heritage buildings in Guwahati, including churches, temples, and institutions. But without scientific mapping, none of them are safe,” said an activist.
The Road Ahead: Can Guwahati Save What’s Left?
The destruction of Mahafezkhana is a wake-up call. With no structured conservation policy, Guwahati’s historical identity is at risk of being wiped out one building at a time. Experts urge the government to implement a comprehensive heritage preservation strategy before more landmarks disappear.
“Cities like Kolkata and Delhi protect their old structures. Why can’t we?” asked a historian in Guwahati seeking anonymity said, “We need legal safeguards to ensure our heritage is maintained, not demolished.”
The fight to save Guwahati’s past is far from over. But with every historic brick that crumbles, time is running out.
As the dust settles over the ruins of Mahafezkhana, the questions remain—who decides what is worth preserving and what can be erased? Can a city truly develop by wiping out its past? Guwahati, a city that has witnessed centuries of history, now stands at a crossroads. The authorities promise beautification, but at what cost? If historical landmarks continue to disappear without scientific mapping or public consultation, what legacy will remain for future generations?
The government speaks of progress, but can progress be built on the ruins of history? Why was there no expert committee to assess Mahafezkhana’s heritage value? Why was the demolition rushed before Guwahati’s heritage buildings were even identified? If a 160-year-old structure that survived earthquakes was deemed to have "no heritage value," what guarantee is there that the remaining heritage sites will be spared?
With conservation architects missing from the picture, how will future decisions be made? Will there be a proper heritage policy, or will each building’s fate be decided behind closed doors?
