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Bihar's 400-year-old bungalow in disrepair
by Rajneesh Sharma

     Sabalpur (Bihar): An ancient underground bungalow is lying in ruins in Sabalpur in Bihar. It is over four century-old. Had it received the attention of government agencies, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) could have declared the bungalow a protected structure.

     The underground bungalow, which was built by Babu Navneet Lal, a local chieftain, to protect himself and his family from their enemies, lies in an abject state of disrepair. The two-storeyed has a narrow secret passage leading to and out of it. Locals, however, believe there are several storeys buried under the land. A cemented flat structure, which looks like a map of tunnels, is built next to the well. "There is a map-like structure here...it seems that the structure inside is built on this map. People also say that there are underground tunnels in it. But we haven't been able to find them. Maybe the truth will come out if it is dug up by the authorities," said Bangali Singh, a local. At present, 95-year old Moti Lal Joshi is the trustee of this historical underground bungalow. The villagers had given the trusteeship of the well to his family in 1892. However, several people now want to take over the land surrounding the well and stop the upkeep of the well. "I have used up all my earnings on this well. A lot of people want that we should sell this historical symbol. I want that the Central Government or the State Government should undertake this and look after its upkeep. They should put some money into a trust that can take care of it. I have written to the Department of Archaeology also, but to no avail," says a frail Joshi.

     As per official definition, an ancient monument means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than 100 years. Joshi hopes the State government will awaken to the need of preserving the state's local history.
-Dec 29,  2006

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