Cuttack: The former Chief Justice of the Jharkhand high court, Pradip Kumar Mohanty, has urged the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to declare the centuries-old Lalbag Palace in Cuttack a centrally-protected monument, citing its immense historical, architectural and administrative significance.Mohanty, a resident of Cuttack city and a former judge of Orissa high court, highlighted, in a memorandum, that the historic palace, which currently houses the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (Shishu Bhavan), served as a seat of power and administration through successive Mughal, Maratha, British and post-Independence regimes.Describing the structure as a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture, Mohanty stressed the need for urgent conservation measures and added that despite its rich legacy, the monument has not received the level of protection and preservation it deserves.The memorandum, submitted to the director general of ASI on May 29, also sought conservation of the old Lalbag police station building, which was originally a part of the palace complex. The police station was shifted elsewhere due to its deteriorating condition. Mohanty requested ASI authorities to inspect both the structures and assess their historical value for notification as centrally-protected monuments.“The appeal has so far failed to elicit any response from ASI. In the meantime, the old Lalbag police station building was demolished on May 30 as part of an administrative exercise reportedly aimed at developing a parking area,” Mohanty said on Thursday.The demand assumes significance in view of the palace’s long and distinguished history. Built in 1633 by Mughal governor Mutaqad Khan on the banks of the Kathajodi river, the palace was described as an imposing structure by European traveller William Bruton during his visit to Cuttack that year.After serving as the headquarters of the Maratha Bhonslas of Nagpur, the property came under British control following the conquest of Odisha in 1803. It was used by the East India Irrigation Company and later housed the residence of British commissioners and collectors.In 1942, Lalbag Palace became Odisha’s govt house and remained the governor’s residence until 1960, before being converted into a children’s hospital and later as Shishu Bhavan.
