96-year-old British era building preserved in Morigaon to maintain historical architecture for future generations

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 24, 2024

A 96-year-old historical building, constructed in 1928-29 during the British era, has been preserved by the Morigaon District Administration. The structure, located in the premises of the Inspector of Schools, Morigaon, showcases classic British architectural design, with a distinct dome that adds to its grandeur.

Initially, the building functioned as a small hospital, where Dr. Naren Hazarika was the first doctor to attend to patients. Over the years, the building transitioned to serve various administrative functions for government work. Today, it is popularly recognized as the office of the Inspector of Schools, Morigaon, standing as a proud historical monument within the district. Its preservation highlights efforts to maintain the legacy of Assam’s colonial-era architecture while repurposing it for contemporary use.

The office of the IS in Morigaon, commonly referred to as the DI Office, has a rich history. The first education officer of this office was Ambikacharon Choudhary, father of Dr. Nirmal Choudhary, the former Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University. The building itself, constructed in 1928-29, is an architectural relic from the British era, made of concrete and wood with a tin shed and a distinctive dome on the roof.

However, over the years, the building faced significant deterioration. The walls, roof, and tin materials gradually wore out. When the structure was on the verge of collapse, Morigaon District Commissioner Debashis Sarma took action to preserve it. Upon the request of Khagen Mahanta, president of the Morigaon District Committee of Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad and a writer, the Commissioner instructed the Public Works Department (Building Division) to restore the building, ensuring its preservation as a historical landmark with the agreement of the Inspector of Schools.

The building has been restored thanks to efforts by the Public Works Department (Building Division) in collaboration with Gautom Construction Ltd, which is also responsible for building the Baghara Medical College in Morigaon. The repairs were completed, and the restored structure was handed over to the district administration.

On October 15, during the celebration of Morigaon District Day, District Commissioner Debashis Sarma officially inaugurated the building, ensuring its preservation as a “Historical Building” for future generations.

The building has since been entrusted to the senior citizen, Morigaon District Committee to manage and use for its office work. This initiative highlights the district’s commitment to preserving its heritage while repurposing historic sites for community use.