The Gilded Gate

February 27, 2026 | Haris Mashooq Zia

The foundation stone of the Bab-ul-Sultan-ul-Arifeen at Rainawari Chowk marks a significant moment for Srinagar’s "Sheher-e-Khaas." With its 71-foot span, Maharaja brickwork, and intricate Jafri-style Deodar shingles, the gate is a dignified tribute to Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (R.A). However, as we witness this ₹190-crore urban push, we must ask: Are we merely building a decorative curtain for a crumbling reality?

From the spice-scented lanes of Maharaj Gunj to the copper-smith squares of Zainakadal, and from the historic silk routes of Anantnag (Reshi Bazaar) to the spiritual hubs of Baramulla, Kashmir’s markets are living museums. But currently, most are gasping for air under a tangle of overhead wires, haphazard concrete extensions, and systemic neglect.
The Illusion of "Face-Lift" Planning
The current strategy in Srinagar relies heavily on "facade improvement"—patching up the front and hiding the "spider-web" cabling. While aesthetically pleasing in the short term, this is cosmetic surgery for a patient requiring a heart transplant. In markets like Bohri Kadal or Zadibal, a heritage gate placed amidst structural chaos doesn't elevate the environment; the environment diminishes the gate.
If a million-dollar monument stands in front of a thousand-dollar mess of unsafe, unorganized shops, the contrast highlights our failure rather than our progress.
Global Lessons: From Warsaw to Istanbul
To understand how to "keep the soul alive while building from zero," we must look at international benchmarks.
The Warsaw Model (Poland): After being leveled in WWII, the city didn't just "beautify" ruins. They performed a total Reconstruction from Zero. Using old paintings and architectural maps, they rebuilt the entire Old Town with modern plumbing and fire safety hidden behind authentic 18th-century facades. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a thriving commercial hub.
The Istanbul Strategy (Turkey): In districts like Sultanahmet, the Turkish government didn't just paint shutters. they implemented "Heritage Zoning." This mandated that every structural rebuild—from the foundation up—must use traditional stone and wood ratios, while internal systems were upgraded to 21st-century standards.
The Kyoto Protocol (Japan): In Japan, "Living Heritage" means shopkeepers are subsidized to rebuild their entire shops in traditional timber styles, provided they include modern earthquake-proofing.
A Blueprint for the "Kashmiri Heritage Zone"
For the Bab-ul-Sultan-ul-Arifeen project to be a true success, it must act as a catalyst for a Zero-Base Adaptive Restoration across Kashmir.
Structural Rebirth, Not Paint: We must move toward dismantling unsafe, mismatched concrete blocks and rebuilding them in the Taq-and-Dumbri style (timber-frame masonry). This isn't just about looks; it is about restoring Kashmir’s indigenous earthquake-resistant engineering.
Invisible Infrastructure: Before the cobblestones are laid, we need "Utility Arteries"—underground tunnels for drainage, high-speed fiber, and fire hydrants. A heritage market should not be a fire trap.
Holistic Zoning: The "Gate" should be the center of a mandatory 500-meter Heritage Zone. In this zone, building laws should be uncompromising: no glass-and-Alucobond facades, only Maharaja bricks, Devri stone, and wood.
Beyond the Gate
Srinagar does not need more monuments to look at; it needs a city to live in. Whether it is the restoration of the Jamia Masjid surroundings or the revitalisation of the Khanqah-e-Moula precinct, the goal must be the same: Deep Restoration.
If we continue to settle for "facade improvement," we admit that our history is only skin-deep. It is time to stop painting over the cracks and start rebuilding the foundations. The saints of this land, and the citizens who walk its streets, deserve a restoration that is as deep as the 600 years of history they represent.