The Jorbangla terracotta temple at Bolpur-Shantiniketan in the Birbhum District of W.B., now on the verge of collapse, could be considered to be a curious example of an embodiment of cultural history into humble physical form. The structure as a product of its time is the physical ‘site’ of representation of late nineteenth-century western central Bengal, where folk cultures of the red soil, classical religion, Islamic forces, and the early English East India Company all came together in a complex field of interaction, generating a particular socio-political cultural climate. The late twentieth century awareness of physical remains of such nature is calling for their better protection. Such cases unfortunately remain beyond relatively higher priority areas of concern for the officials or state systems. The willingness of the new institutions to contribute to such causes is a very welcome change of situation.

THE STORIES

The village Itonda, according to local folklore, derived its name from the East India Company, perhaps by a gradual distortion of the term East India. The location of the village is close to the once mighty river Ajay, a land known for old maritime trade and the existence of busy river ports. The place is also known for the early British endeavours of the famous Indigo Enterprise, and the history of nomadic tribes and their nexus with dacoits, thuggees and mugs of eighteenth-century Bengal, hints at quite an eventful life of the temple and its making. Even the eventual abandoning of worship in the temple is mysteriously located in a village myth. A journalist’s newspaper article nicely presented the story and indicated how one can see possible relationships between history, myth and the characteristic iconography of the terracotta work.

“The temple is a treasure trove of richly decorated terracotta motifs. The front wall and pillars are covered with square and rectangular slabs bearing relief works inspired by mythological themes and contemporary rural life. The colonial influence is evident in tiles showing troops in gunboats, brandishing rifles and English soldiers marching with hats and guns next to turbaned Indian regiments. Invading Muslim soldiers also finds a place here, as do women playing violins and men sarangis. Thematic elements of completely different origins reside next to each other. Durga slays the Asura next to British soldiers on horseback. The ten avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu are shown with Vahan Garurha. Other mythological figures like Ganesh and Gopal with his mother Yashoda are also to be seen … The irreplaceable archaeological marvel today stands dilapidated.” [footnote to be inserted]

Saving this temple from total structural collapse and giving it a new lease of life, though still possible, has become a challenging proposition. Immediate intervention is necessary as every other monsoon is going to cause substantial damage to the structure. Yet the operation should be taken up with utmost care, respect and sensitivity. The present report is based on closed preliminary observation and a re-assessment of the situation bringing to light the entire scope of work more clearly to reach finally a necessary albeit reasonable, estimation of resources to be called for in such an endeavour.

THE PROBLEM AND THE METHODOLOGY OF INTERVENTION

Since fresh attention was drawn to the crumbling state of the temple in the early nineties, a few attempts were made to assess the physical problems of the structure and possible remedies. The engineering report of 1993 rightly suggested certain temporary measures to check the immediate collapse of the structure and strongly recommended further detailed examination and study to develop a full fledged scheme of restoration. But the subsequent report of 1996 went on to suggest certain quickly devised repairs-oriented measures in a rather crude manner. The skeletal scheme completely failed to understand or appreciate the architecture and structural system and behaviour of the brick building, and thus a rather wrong impression was created regarding the problem.

The large tree and other small tree roots apart from the thick bushy growth of vegetation have fractured the roof and wall joints and even the walls at many places so extensively that almost seventy-five per cent of the roof has been rendered useless including around 20% of the roof destroyed and lost. Nearly fifty per cent of the walls are pushed out of the plinth and have tilted outwards, sometimes, in more than one direction. At present tree roots, which have caused the fracture, are also to a very large extent holding together the broken and loosened parts of the structure and preventing them from absolute collapse, all of a sudden. Yet the roots are growing in girth and also in number continuously and can eventually crush and engulf the temple structure, crumble into smaller bits, and entirely into its folds. The dislodging action of the tree roots is further aggravated by the sways and movements of the tall trunk of the large tree, as it catches wind and storm and moves widely causing a significant amount of pressure on the temple structure by direct transfer of thrust and movement downwards.

STRUCTURAL SUPPORT

To remove the tree it becomes necessary to support the building structure very elaborately. As soon as the trees, the roots and branches are now removed, their binding forces will disappear and a substantial amount of hold on the broken and fractured masonry will be lost causing the immediate fall of such parts. The staging structure or system, therefore, has to be strong and extensive enough to hold all parts of the building in position when the grip of the tree is released.

A complete supporting and propping system has to be introduced to hold the roof from the inside. All around the temple structure lateral supports and props are required to prevent the fall of the broken walls. Working and standing platforms are necessary to stand upon for cleaning and dismantling work well before any such work may begin. The (vertical) walls being of brick masonry, the lateral support system must be such that point pressures and loads are avoided to cut out possibilities of punching at points. Lateral supports, therefore, have to be transformed through substantially wide surfaces to remain across the wall to be held in position. The walls and masonry portions like pillars, pilasters, freezes etc. have to be completely covered with protective packing and secured before any supporting portion or surface is put against them.

REMOVAL OF VEGETATION AND DISMANTLING

The large tree has to be cut from the top at a point/level as close as possible to the top of the roof, from where it has grown outwards. The remaining portion of the trunk and roots should be cut and removed from the top as much as possible by cutting and not by pulling up. All bushy growth on top has to be trimmed and treated with suitable biocide in every case including the body of the main tree. After a thorough inspection, portions of the root which are entirely destroyed should be physically cut/chiselled out and removed from the top including all roots or branches embedded in such sections after removing solid portions as dismantled, the remaining vegetation should be removed first by treating them with biocides and then scooping and pulling them out when loosened sufficiently, without further disturbing the built portions of the roof to be retained.

Below the roof, all roots should be killed by biocide treatment and scooped out of portion wherever possible., Brickwork may have to be dismantled partially from the walls to remove all the large roots. Such dismantling may necessitate the introduction of supports to hold up the remaining brickwork in position. All brickwork, decided to be redone in a proper plumbed position, must be dismantled carefully salvaging any terracotta work detached and all reusable bricks. After the complete removal of vegetation from the top down to the plinth level and the completion of all necessary dismantling work in the superstructure. The top surface of the plinth and its surrounding areas should be thoroughly examined for any remaining roots or traces of vegetation. All such vegetation must be treated with a biocide and physically removed, and if necessary dug out by opening and removing the plinth filling.

RECONSTRUCTION

After completion of almost all dismantling work and total removal of vegetation from the building and the surrounding strip and sufficient treatment of biocide throughout the entire remaining structure, rebuilding work should begin. The plinth should be repaired and re-levelled accurately. Deformations Pareto stabilised structural brickwork in walls and columns must be completed with the reinstallation of all the masonry blocks led in terracotta back in position. All retained masonry is to be strengthened and properly levelled with the new work. The conjectural parts of reconstruction and additional work shall have differentiated in a particular manner. After the walls are strongly set together the roof must be completed. The new roof parts have to incorporate as much as possible. The remaining, retained portion shall have to be strengthened.

PRINCIPLES

1. Preserving Itonda Temple, as it is, in its ruined state, as prevalent in European situations, does not appear to be feasible due to its present deteriorated and damaged condition/state, on verge of further collapse.
2. Present condition of some of the portions of the monument, leads to the consensus option of dismantling the endangered portions of the structure.
3. The long-term functional behaviour, safety and durability requirement of the structural system demands the option of reconstruction of the collapsed, dismantled and critical portions of the structure.
4. The dismantling and reconstruction shall be to optimum/minimum level and original portions shall be conserved as it is stated - as much as feasible.
5. The most precious Terracotta Clad portion, in particular, shall be conserved, as much as possible, in as it is condition. The terracotta-clad portions shall be protected during work and handled with utmost precaution to avoid further damage.
6. Present-day standard Construction Materials and Technology e.g., Cement Concrete, Reinforced Concrete, and Cement Mortar shall be avoided in consideration of incompatibility and low durability.
7. Traditional material and technology e.g., Brick Masonry, Lime Concrete, Lime Mortar etc. is proposed to be adopted along with compatible and proven modern/traditional Conservation Materials.
8. Extensive short-term and long-term structural support and protection are envisaged for the safety of the structure and for enabling Restoration work and further study.
9. This Preliminary Report and Scheme of Restoration is based on an overall preliminary assessment of the structure and the Restoration work involved and to arrive at a budgetary estimate.
10. Further in-depth study and minutes detailing the Pre-Restoration and Restoration work, including detailing of material, methodology and sequence, both before and during restoration work, is envisaged and to be undertaken and monitored jointly by a team of experienced Structural Restoration Engineers, Restoration Experts and Conservation Architects.

NEW WORK

New tiles and bricks to be used for restoration should be manufactured with local materials. For new terracotta tiles, new design forms may be tried out. However, it is also possible to repeat the original design, as it is quite evident from the remaining parts. For repeating old designs, new moulds can be prepared carefully from the old tiles.

PRELIMINARY SCHEME OF RESTORATION

A. PRELIMINARY ENABLING WORK

1. STRUCTURAL SUPPORT TO SUPERSTRUCTURE: Providing appropriate Structural Support to restrain further damage, to enable a selective dismantling of designed portions, to enable restoration work - to be started immediately.
2. STRUCTURAL SUPPORT, FOR FOUNDATION: Providing appropriate protection and support to the foundation and plinth to avoid further settlement/movement and to allow the work of consolidation, restoration and protection of the Foundation and Plinth - to be started immediately.
3. SCAFFOLDING AND STAGING: Providing appropriate scaffolding staging to enable detailed inspection, removal of trees, and dismantling of Roof & Wall portions.
4. REMOVAL OF BIOLOGICAL GROWTH: (a) REMOVAL OF WEEDS AND SHRUBS from Roof, Wall and Surroundings, (b) REMOVAL OF LARGE TREES/TRUNKS piece by piece from top avoiding disturbance of the roof, (c) TREATMENT OF ROOTS embedded in roof and wall weedicides and other means, (d) REMOVAL OF ROOTS from the Roof, Wall and Foundation to the extent feasible without endangering the structure.

B. PRE-RESTORATION DETAILED STUDY AND DETAILING OF SCHEME OF RESTORATION

1. INSPECTION AND STUDY: Detailed inspection and study of the structure and Restoration options, before taking up Restoration work and also during execution of restoration.
2. SCHEME OF RESTORATION: Detailing of Restoration Scheme (Final Implementation Scheme) based on Preliminary Scheme of Restoration, with necessary changes, modifications and improvements, as deemed necessary based on detailed inspection and study and subsequent modifications have been on in-work observations during the execution of Restoration work.
3. DOCUMENTATION AND DETAILED MEASURED DRAWINGS: Making documentation of the entire structure, structural elements, finishings and decorative works, mouldings, coloured lime etchings, ornaments (Pankha work) by: (a) still photography, (b) video photography, (c) measured drawing.

C. CONTROL OF SOIL/FOUNDATION MOVEMENT

1. Taking any one of the under noted measures and/or their combination, as deemed appropriate. Timber Shoring all along the Plinth - particularly on Western Side.
2. Making of an appropriate Diaphragm Wall along the West side, and if deemed necessary extending partly in the South and North sides to control the movement of Soil, rotation and settlement of the foundation.
3. Soil Consolidation by Soil Grouting, with compatible particulate Grout.
4. Making a low-height deep foundation plinth wall, all around the existing plinth and consolidation grouting of the interface.

D. RESTORATION OF FOUNDATION

1. Dismantling and removal of damaged damped Brick Masonry, Facia and Core.
2. Reforming of Brick Masonry with Similar Brick and Lime Surkhi Mortar.
3. Exploring the feasibility of Lifting/Pushing the southwest corner Foundation and Plinth by controlled jacking and execution of the same, as feasible.
4. Consolidation Grouting of the Foundation/Plinth with Polymer Modified Lime-Surkhi.
5. Providing Anti Termite Treatment to Foundation.
6. Providing Biocide Treatment to Foundation.
7. Reforming of Plaster with Lime Mortar.
8. Reforming Moulding with Lime Mortar and Lime.

E. RESTORATION OF WALL

E1. UNSERVICEABLE WALL

1. Providing appropriate lateral & Vertical supports as deemed necessary over and above general support as provided under the item.
2. Dismantling of the unserviceable portion of the wall.
3. Reforming walls in Brick Masonry with similar Bricks & modified Lime Mortar.
4. Reforming and making Plaster with Lime Mortar.
5. Reforming and making Mouldings and Architectural finish is as per original.
6. Providing Preservative Treatment.

E.2 RESTORATION OF SERVICEABLE WALL

1. Removal of damaged or non-critical plaster.
2. Cleaning of the surface.
3. Searling of the crack line, fixing Grout Ports and Grouting with Polymer Modified Non-Shrink Lime Surkhi based Grout.
4. Sealing of the Brick Joints in Polymer Modified Non-Shrink Lime Surkhi Mortar.
5. Consolidation Grouting and Strengthening of wall system as deemed necessary with Polymer Modified Non-Shrink Lime Surkhi Mortar.
6. Reforming and making Plaster with Lime Mortar.
7. Reforming and making broken/damaged Mouldings and Architectural finishes - leaving as much portion as possible in original, as it is state
8. Providing Preservative Treatment

F. RESTORATION OF ROOF

1. Providing appropriate support to Roof and Wall, as deemed necessary, over and above as provided under item.
2. Dismantling of the entire or unserviceable portion of the Roof.
3. Reforming the roof with Brick Masonry - Lime Mortar and modified Lime Concrete (to be done after the Restoration of the Walls).
4. Providing Waterproofing and Protective Treatment with Polymer Modified Lime Membrane.
5. Providing Biocide Treatment.
6. Providing Preservative Treatment.

G. FRONT FACIA STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

1. Providing appropriate support as deemed necessary over and above as provided in item A1.
2. Removal of the damaged, unserviceable or non-critical wall, and pillar portions.
3. Reforming and making the Pillar and Wall system, similar to the original in Brick Masonry and Lime Mortar.
4. Making Plaster/Rendering to bring the original shape.
5. Providing Preservative Treatment.

H. ORIGINAL TERRACOTTA CLADDING

1. Cleaning of the Terracotta fascia/tiles
2. Biocide Treatment of Terracotta.
3. Consolidation of the Tile Backing by micro-injection, if and as feasible.
4. Consolidation of core being tile and tile backing mortar, as feasible.
5. Mending of the broken edges/corners, and the cracks in Terracotta Tiles, if and as deemed necessary as per the Conservation Principle adopted.
6. Impregnation Consolidation of Terracotta Tile/Fascia Bricks.
7. Preservative Treatment of Terracotta as deemed necessary.

I. NEW TERRACOTTA CLADDING

If it is decided on consensus, to remake and fix the new Terracotta Tiles

1. Reconstruction and Design on paper the size, shape, and design of the original ornamental/relief tiles, individual tile locations and all relevant critical parameters.
2. Making Mould designs and Moulds.
3. Selection of Terracotta Clay Mix to match the characteristics and appearance of the original tiles.
4. Test Firing the tiles and checking dimensional accuracy, tolerance, colour and texture for quality control.
5. Manufacturing respective tiles in the requisite number.
6. Fixing new tiles in proper alignment, level and dimension with lime mortar backing.
7. Providing a preservative treatment on the new tiles.

J. OTHER STRUCTURAL RESTORATION MEASURES

1. Restoration of gaps, and cracks due to tree roof along with restoration of the wall system.
2. Providing additional structural system, if deemed necessary, by anchoring, scraping and/or space diaphragm to ensure long-term functional behaviour and durability of the structure - along with restoration of the wall roof system.
3. Restoration of the front terrace with items similar to the restoration of the foundation/plinth.
4. Restoration and/or remaking of flooring.

K. TEMPLE ADJOINING SPACE

1. Planning and making the appropriate raising of the adjoining ground special on the western side.
2. Making appropriate drainage arrangements/systems for surcharging water in monsoons.
3. Landscaping of the protected zone.
4. Involving local villagers in every stage of work and policy decision including further protection and maintenance.
5. Initiation and promotion of local festivals, crafts, tourist facilities etc. involving local villagers.
6. Document of entire restoration work.