Identifying the Lost Layer of Industrial Heritage in Case of Historic Town – Gwalior

Abstract

The necessity of historic preservation does not only limit itself to protect the magnificent structures, but also maintain vestiges of diverse cultural heritage, a task that is, becoming increasingly difficult in rapid globalizing India. Historically, the towns emerged under various social, historical, and technological circumstances shaping architecture, lifestyle and culture of the local community. In the early 20th century due to the emergence of industrial era, a long and continuous process of societal changes emerged shaping the historical towns. One such town exists in northern Frontier of Madhya Pradesh. The formation and development of industries in Gwalior was shaped due to various factors like strategic location, availability of vast resources, availability of water, and support from the local government at that time. Nearly 26,123 of 5,30,229 population at that time was dependent on formal/informal industrial sector. Thus, acting as eminent layer in terms of social, cultural, and economic development, shaping the built as well as living heritage of the town. Presently, the world has raised consciousness in identifying industrial landscapes in heritage, but the concern still lies unidentified in Indian historic towns especially in case of Gwalior. Thus, this paper outlines the historical evolution of the Gwalior, with a special focus on the industrial heritage of the city.