wada architecture case study

Study of the Planning and Architectural Significance of the Chitnavis Wada in Nagpur, India

First Online: 06 February 2024

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Shreya S. Kalbhor 13

Part of the book series: Advances in 21st Century Human Settlements ((ACHS))

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The traditional dwellings in Maharashtra are called Wadas . The royal families in Maharashtra during the period of Bhosalas in Nagpur planned and designed these Wadas as their residences back in the seventeenth century. Chitnavis Wada in Nagpur is one of them which served as a residence for the ministers of Bhosale in the eighteenth century. Since the descendants of these Wadas have moved out for better prospects, the physical structure is in danger of dilapidation. This historic structure is either getting vandalized or they are being reused as a museum or gallery to increase the economic graph. Due to this, a loss of historicity can be observed in the Wadas, which are originally meant to serve as residences for the royal families. There is a need to conserve this piece of history, which reflects the socio-cultural and economic times of 18th-century dwellings of the royal families. The aim of this paper is to understand the planning and architectural significance of the Chitnavis Wada complex in Nagpur. The study is based on the on-field documentation of the Chitnavis Wada in Nagpur. The identified factors will further be identified to understand its architectural significance.

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Kalbhor, S.S. (2023). Study of the Planning and Architectural Significance of the Chitnavis Wada in Nagpur, India. In: J., V. (eds) Conservation of Built Heritage in India . Advances in 21st Century Human Settlements. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8335-3_4