Chhatar Manzil gandola may be 200 years old: BSIP carbon dating test

LUCKNOW: The mysterious gondola that was found buried on the premises of nawabi-era Chhatar Manzil here is approximately 200 years old.

The fact came to light in a radiocarbon dating test that was carried out by Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) of Lucknow to assess the age of the 42 feet-long and 11 feet-wide gondola, which some historians say could also be a ‘royal gondola’.

Dr Rajesh Agnihotri, senior scientists and in-charge of radiocarbon dating and isotope characterisation laboratory, BSIP who spearheaded the Carbon Dating or C-14 test said, “We tested two samples—both were of the wood from the boat. As per the findings, one sample was found to be 200year-old whereas the date of another sample was not found desirable.”

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences scientists, however, have also expressed their willingness to collect a few more samples from the site in order to make an accurate assessment. “Of the two samples which we initially collected, one failed to fetch desirable result. Hence, we want to

collect more samples in order to make 100 percent accurate assessment,” Dr Agnihotri added.

Besides, the institute had also approached Uttar Pradesh

State Archaeological Department (UPSAD), the custodian of Chhatar Manzil, seeking permission to carry out sampling for the second time.

The sampling was initially done in July 2019 after UPSAD had approached Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences for the sampling of the gondola, which is also being said to be a ‘royal gondola’.

AK Singh, director of state museum who has additional charge of director UPSAD, said as of now the project work was stalled for want of funds and the site was lying covered.

“The fund is expected to be released this month. Once the project work resumes, we may further grant permission for the sampling as the findings would throw light on many hidden facts and mysteries. Besides, it will further throw light on the lavish lifestyle of the nawabs and also on the water transport system that was said to be a common feature during the era,” said Singh.

The discovery of the gondola was made on May 8 when excavators and experts stumbled upon a wooden structure that was partially visible. It was later confirmed that the wooden structure was nothing but a huge gondola.

In the ongoing Chhatar Manzil restoration and conservation project, Faculty of Architecture, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), is the consultancy.