In India, the plight of heritage monuments that are located in seclusion often meets with neglect and disrepair. In such a situation, they are often torn down or repurposed into something else. Towards this end, in a stunning demonstration of civic engagement, residents of Agra organised a “Heritage Farewell Walk” on Wednesday under the direction of nonprofit organisations to raise awareness of the historic “Shahi Hammam” in the Chipitolaneighbourhood's endangered condition. Recently, concerns have been raised regarding the preservation, both on ground and rampantly on social media, of the centuries-old Mughal-era building, which was formerly a part of a vast sarai (inn) complex, after it was sold to a private party. The purpose of the walk was to raise awareness and implore the authorities to protect the historic site.

　　Fears of Demolition Spark Public Outcry

　　With signs that read “Save Shahi Hammam” and “Farewell Shahi Hammam”, the heritage enthusiasts started their march at Bijlighar crossing, attracting a lot of attention from the public. Historians, social activists, and locals were among the participants who expressed concerns that the hammam might be demolished or altered by its new owner under the guise of ownership rights.

　　Historical Significance

　　After a little probing into news pieces and social media posts on the issues, it comes forth that the Shahi Hammam has a great deal of historical significance and has enjoyed features in books like Syed Mohd Lateef’s ‘Historical and Descriptive Agra’ (1896) and Satya Chandra Mukherjee’s ‘The Traveller Guide to Agra’ (1892). The protest on the ground and social media emphasises that the building has endured as a testament to the cultural legacy and architectural inventiveness of the Mughals, and that its destruction would further erode the old city's historical identity.

　　A Plea for Preservation

　　The leaders of the walk emphasised the campaign's dual goals of protecting the hammam and increasing public awareness of the dangers of displacement that locals face. The hammam represents community life and cultural pride and is more than just a monument.

　　The idea was to appeal to the government to step in and stop Agra's cultural legacy from being further destroyed. In order to preserve these buildings for upcoming generations, they urged cooperation in their restoration and public use. As the rally came to a close, attendees expressed their hope that their campaign would inspire more robust action to safeguard the city's historical resources.