Shikarpoor: de-spirited and defamed - Waiting To Be Salvaged

Naeem, Anila (2008) Shikarpoor: de-spirited and defamed - Waiting To Be Salvaged. In: 16th ICOMOS General Assembly and International Symposium: ‘Finding the spirit of place – between the tangible and the intangible’, 29 sept – 4 oct 2008, Quebec, Canada. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Abstract (in English)

The historic town of Shikarpoor in Upper Sindh, Pakistan, became an important commercial centre of the region due to its strategic geographic location, on the extensive network of trade routes connecting Central Asia, Afghanistan and Iran with India. Shikarpoor served as a base for an enterprising community of Hindu merchants. The legacy of these infamous and affluent merchants is reflected through the remnants of the towns’ historic fabric that speaks of a patronage for arts and building crafts. Shikarpoor was pushed into the abyss of decline owing to various developments of 19th century; most importantly among others the introduction of railways and mass exodus of Hindus at the time of India- Pakistan Partition. At present under threat of rapid demolitions and absence of effective measures for protection, this historic fabric is fast disappearing. Can mere gestures such as notification in 1998 as protected heritage under Sindh Cultural Heritage Preservation Act (1994) or inclusion in the WMF Watch List 2008, be sufficient to prevent this destruction? This paper attempts to focus on the significance of the town and addresses the issues of its rapid degeneration through interpretation of data collected for a research based documentation aimed at listing and inventory of the towns’ historic places.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Authors:
Authors
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Naeem, Anila
UNSPECIFIED
Languages: English
Keywords: historic town; historic monuments; commercial city; urban fabric; historical surveys; heritage at risk; legal protection; legislation
Subjects: D.URBANISM > 05. Legislation
D.URBANISM > 02. Urban planning
K.LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES > 03. National/Regional legislations
H.HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES > 09. Historic buildings
H.HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES > 12. Historic towns and villages
Name of monument, town, site, museum: Historic town of Shikarpoor, Upper Sindh, Pakistan
ICOMOS Special Collection: Scientific Symposium (ICOMOS General Assemblies)
ICOMOS Special Collection Volume: 2008, 16th
Depositing User: Jose Garcia
Date Deposited: 12 Sep 2010 17:29
Last Modified: 13 Jan 2011 19:12
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URI: https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/107

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