On Friday, after heavy rains followed by a strong earthquake, Raj Kapoor’s historic haveli in Peshawar suffered serious damage. As per the PTI report, the haveli suffered structural damage after continuous rain weakened the building, while tremors late Friday further destabilised the already dilapidated structure, and one of the sections of the structure collapsed.
Officials and residents said that a portion of the haveli collapsed overnight, though no casualties were reported.
Given the building's condition, Shakeel Waheedullah, secretary of the Heritage Council in KPK province, urged the archaeology department and the provincial government to take immediate steps to restore and preserve the historic building. Local officials said that any further neglect could result in irreparable loss to the structure, PTI wrote.
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History behind historic Kapoor Haveli
The century-old Kapoor haveli is a significant cultural site in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and was declared a national heritage site by the Pakistan government in 2016. Located in the heart of the famed Qissa Khwani Bazaar in Peshawar, Kapoor Haveli holds immense historical significance, both for its architecture and notable former residents.
The haveli has one of the finest architectural styles of its time, being Raj Kapoor’s ancestral home. The haveli consisted of 40 rooms with the facade adorned with intricate floral motifs and jharokhas. Before Partition, the haveli was home to Prithviraj Kapoor, the first member of the Kapoor clan to enter the film industry. Originally built by Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor, Prithviraj Kapoor’s father, it served as the Kapoor family home for the next 20 years. Raj Kapoor and his uncle, actor Trilok Kapoor, were both born here.
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Kapoor Haveli's timeless beauty
The estate has seen visits from members of the Kapoor family over the years. Shashi Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor visited the haveli and lived there before Partition. Raj Kapoor’s sons, actors Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor, had visited in the 1990s, urging the Pakistan government to work on its restoration. The building has been abandoned since 1947.
The estate has been in a state of disrepair for years despite calls for its conservation. While the house is now in an extremely delicate condition, its beauty still stands out despite the damage.
