The 1800s:
The British ruled India for over 200 years, during which time the country saw many new structures built and many existing ones transformed for various reasons.
The fabric of cities varied according to the needs of the English man. There were many country homes built to house British officers and their families according to hierarchy.
Modern Secunderabad was founded after Nizam Asaf Jah II lost his battle with the East India Company. The city was formed in 1806 after the Nizam signed an order allotting the land to set up the British cantonment.
Unlike other places, the city’s official language was English and was exempted from customs duty on imported goods, thus making trade very profitable.
Various new markets, such as Regimental and the General Bazaar, were created. Other notable structures erected were the Kind Edward Memorial Hospital (now known as the Gandhi Hospital) and the Secunderabad Junction railway station, which was one of the largest in India.
The Old Jail Khana:
The Jail Khana was constructed and designed in the 1800s to be a country home for the British officers residing in India. The structure showcases a lot of European influences like neoclassicism along with colonial architecture. These can be seen in the columns and arched windows, among many others. The architecture of this era was vernacular, mainly focused on using local materials. In the case of this structure, it was limestone and granite. These materials and the thick walls helped keep the building cool during peak hours of the season. Due to these reasons, one can say The Old Jail Khana is a strong and durable building to this day.
In the year 1826, Secunderabad was converted into a British cantonment area. As a result of things changing over the years, the previously constructed country home was now converted into a jail for political prisoners in 1860.
The Jail Khana, therefore, today showcases the resilience of the country’s forefathers and symbolises the fight for freedom. Changes were made to the structure after its conversion. The strategically placed windows, the newly designed columns and the prison cell designs do give a hint of panopticon for users and visitors of the modern day. Spaces in the building when it was a jail – There were two entrances to the jail, one from the Archway and the backyard entrance opening to the ground. There were also 20 prison cells and two offices. The ground was used for parades and punishing the prisoners.
The oral tradition and stories passed down from generations are the only evidence of the past and are considered official records. These stories give the current day people a glimpse of the lives of the inmates and people of the 1800s.
For historians, the Structure is the definition of both resistance and confinement and is subjective to various interpretations. Historians often find a balanced and neutral path for the restoration processes of such structures, having an inclusive account of the past.
The Commercial Complex:
Long after Independence in 1947, the state of Andhra Pradesh was formed. In the year 1956, the Old Jail Khana was converted into a commercial complex.
In the process of this conversion, careful planning and execution were ensured to retain the historic character of the structure while adapting to its new function. This conversion involved a significant adaptive reuse of the building.
The defined site area is 3840sqm, and the existing built-up area is approximately 1900 sqm.
After the conversion into a commercial complex, the structure houses various businesses and small shops and provides a livelihood for residents of Secunderabad. Jail Khana has 60 tenants operating small and medium-scale business establishments and shops fetching a rental of Rs 1,200 to Rs.6,000 per month.
With the Monda Market nearby, the Jail Khana eventually became a social hub for the people of the city. People gather in and around the structure to shop, socialise and exchange information. Although the open space is being utilised as a dump yard, parking, and a resting place for domestic animals, implying that the area is not being used properly. As the Monda market strip is often bustling with traffic, many like to park their cars at a convenient location.
In 2006, during Secunderabad’s 200th-anniversary celebrations, the Old Jail Khana was declared a heritage structure.
The government of Telangana has acknowledged the historical significance and the impact the Old Jail Khana has had over the years.
There have been programmes and schemes initiated by the government to restore the structure to its former glory.
The Old Jail Khana stands as a reminder of the city’s past and is the testimony of the transition of the city from colonial rule to Independent India. The preservation and restoration of this structure are essential to record and celebrate the good fight our ancestors fought.
The restored portions of the jail honour the struggles of the political prisoners of the past and often remind visitors of their human rights.
Due to rapid development across the city, heritage structures such as the Jail Khana face various challenges. Balancing the need for development and restoration of the building while preserving its heritage is a major task.
For future research, the Jail Khana offers numerous opportunities such as archival research, architectural analysis, archaeological surveys, etc.
Historians or researchers studying heritage structures need to have an interdisciplinary approach to the building, always respecting the past, the architecture, archaeology and culture of the location and its surroundings.
As a whole, the Jail Khana is a magnificent example of colonial rule in India. The overall design seamlessly blends with British and Indian cultures and influences, reflecting the historical context in which it was built. The ongoing restoration ensures the preservation of this marvel for the future generations.
