Historians, scholars oppose govt proposal to demolish century-old Sultan Palace in Patna
The Bihar government’s proposal to demolish the historic Sultan Palace in heart of the city has shocked historians, conservationists and ordinary citizens who have vehemently opposed the decision and appealed for preserving and restoring the “architectural icon” instead of razing it.
The Nitish Kumar government recently announced that the state cabinet had given its nod to build three five-star hotels in Patna, including one at the site of the 100-year-old Sultan Palace on Beer Chand Patel Road.
As the decision was made public, protests erupted on social media, with many citizens calling it “absolutely shocking” and “a hare-brained decision” even as some of them cited the Bihar government’s earlier decision, taken a few years ago, to convert the palace into a “heritage hotel” and asked why has it discarded the widely-reported old plan.
Ordinary citizens, scholars and activists from different parts of the country have appealed to the government to not demolish the Sultan Palace, one of the last surviving palaces in Patna, and instead convert it into a heritage fivestar hotel, which would only enhance its value and attract more tourists. The palace, located on the historic Gardiner Road (now Beer Chand Patel Road), was built in 1922 by the legendary barrister of Patna, Sir Sultan Ahmad, who also briefly served as a judge in the Patna High Court and as the first Indian vice-chancellor of the Patna University from 1923-30.
Scholar and former vice chancellor of Patna University RBP Singh termed the decision to demolish the iconic palace “absolutely shocking” and a “hairbrained and insensitive” move. Noted historians Swapna Liddle and S Irfan Habib have also expressed “deep shock” overdecision to raze the palace.