UPRNN to explore the side facing commissioner’s office
After making surprising discoveries while excavating the foundations of Chhatar Manzil and Kothi Farhat Baksh, the UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN) and the restoration agency for the project are now looking at unearthing the monuments from another side - the one facing the commissioner’s office.
To recall, when labourers began to dig up the Chhatar Manzil basement on Thursday in order to strengthen it up, they came across pillars going deep inside the ground, revealing another storey of the imposing structure that once served as a palace for the rulers of Oudh. They also unearthed a storey beneath Kothi Farhat Baksh.
Officials and labourers are now in search of other excavation points to draw further conclusions about their findings. “Excavation is going on at the side facing river Gomti - the front part of the structure. However, now the agencies are planning to dig up the other sides too,” said a UPRNN official as he supervised work here on Saturday.
“On exploring further, a clear picture of the original structure will emerge. It will also help in reaching the base of the monument and strengthening it, which is important for the structure’s longevity. As of now, we don’t even know where the base lies!” he added.
On Saturday, the excavation reached a depth of 15 feet 3 inches. An excavator involved in the project said, “We unearthed one complete arch and a few others. This has increased our curiosity. Besides, some other pillars and a few wall imprints were also discovered today (Saturday).”
“The findings will help shed light on the folklore that says Chhatar Manzil was connected to river Gomti via a tunnel. So far, we haven’t made any discovery suggesting that,” he said, adding, “However, earlier, we had found rounded hooks attached to the sides of the basement. These could have been used to tie up boats. So, the theory about the building being connected to Gomti cannot be ruled out.”
Meanwhile, officials of the state archaeology department have made no comments on the discovery.