Outcry over Sultan Palace demolition move

Patna: The recent move of the state govt to declare the 104-year-old Sultan Palace a ‘non-heritage’ building, paving the way for its demolition, has triggered a sharp backlash among historians, art lovers and members of the city’s civil society. They have demanded the immediate withdrawal of the decision and sought protection for the structure by granting it heritage status. State art and culture department’s director (archaeology) Krishna Kumar also clarified that Sultan Palace is not included on the list of 56 protected monuments of the state.In a petition submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Thursday, the state chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) urged the Prime Minister to intervene and issue necessary directions for the preservation of the historic building. The organisation has also submitted similar petitions to the chief minister and chief secretary, calling for an immediate halt to the proposed demolition of the landmark structure in Patna.Intach state co-convener Shiv Kumar Mishra said the state govt had earlier decided to construct a five-star hotel by demolishing the century-old building currently housing the office of the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC), but the proposal faced strong opposition from historians, conservationists and the public. Following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Patna high court stayed the demolition of Sultan Palace in Sept 2022 and sought a response from the state govt. Subsequently, the state cabinet, in its meeting held on Dec 10, 2024, decided the palace would not be demolished and that the hotel would instead be constructed on adjacent vacant land, a move that was widely appreciated.However, it has recently come to light a committee headed by the principal secretary of the state art and culture department observed Sultan Palace is not included in the state list of heritage buildings, effectively reopening the possibility of its demolition.Expressing shock at the committee’s observation, Mishra pointed out in its own publication “Patna — a monumental history”, authored by the department’s then principal secretary Vivek Kumar Singh, the building has been described as significant in terms of architecture, art, style and structural design and identified as an important heritage structure.Built in 1922 by Sir Sultan Ahmed, a barrister and the first Indian vice-chancellor of Patna University, Sultan Palace is known for its high-domed tower, slender minarets and multi-foliated arches, making it a distinctive part of Patna’s architectural legacy. The petition further argued the state should follow the example of other Indian states such as Rajasthan, where historical structures have been repurposed into heritage hotels rather than demolished.