Raj Kapoor’s Historic Kapoor Haveli In Peshawar Collapses After Heavy Rains, Earthquake; Officials Call For Restoration

The Kapoor Haveli in Peshawar, once the residence of the renowned Kapoor family of Bollywood before the Partition, has suffered severe damage following recent heavy rains and a strong earthquake on Friday night.

Raj Kapoor’s Kapoor Haveli In Peshawar Collapses After Heavy Rains, Earthquake

PTI quoted officials and local residents, stating that a portion of the haveli collapsed overnight. The report explained that ongoing rains had weakened the structure. And, the tremors late Friday further destabilized the already fragile building. Shakeel Waheedullah, secretary of the Heritage Council in KPK province, noted that a section of the haveli’s wall collapsed after the quake, raising concerns about the safety of the remaining structure. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

This century-old Kapoor Haveli, a landmark of cultural significance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was designated as a national heritage site by the Pakistani government in 2016. Given its deteriorating condition, Waheedullah called on the archaeology department and provincial authorities to undertake urgent restoration efforts to preserve this historic site. Local officials warned that further neglect could lead to irreversible damage.

The History Of Kapoor Haveli

Situated in the heart of Peshawar’s famous Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Kapoor Haveli holds profound historical importance, both architecturally and for its notable residents. Built with exquisite craftsmanship, the haveli features 40 rooms, with a facade decorated with intricate floral motifs and jharokhas.

Before Partition, the haveli was the home of Prithviraj Kapoor. He was the first member of the Kapoor family to enter the film industry. Constructed by Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor, Prithviraj’s father, it served as the Kapoor family residence for two decades. Both Raj Kapoor and his uncle, actor Trilok Kapoor, were born there.

Kapoor Family Visiting The Haveli

Raj Kapoor’s brothers, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor, were born in India after the family moved there in the 1930s to pursue acting careers. The Kapoors left Peshawar following Partition, abandoning their ancestral home.

Despite years of neglect, the haveli remains a symbol of architectural beauty and cultural heritage. It has been visited by members of the Kapoor family over the years. Shashi and Shammi Kapoor often visited and even resided there before the Partition. Raj Kapoor’s sons, Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor, visited in the 1990s. They urged the Pakistani government to restore the building. Since 1947, the haveli has been abandoned, its fate hanging in the balance amid concerns over its preservation.

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Akankshya Mukherjee

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