Gandhi-linked heritage faces demolition: INTACH sends appeal to PMCH principal, Prashant Kishor

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has appealed to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and the Bihar government to protect the remaining portion of the historic Bankipore General Hospital building from demolition, citing its association with Mahatma Gandhi and the shared heritage of Bihar and undivided Bengal.

The appeal comes after major sections of the nearly 120-year-old structure were demolished as part of the ongoing redevelopment of PMCH. The hospital building, visited by Gandhi in May 1947, is among the oldest surviving structures on the medical college campus.

In early September, bulldozers demolished the elongated northern wing, which housed the historic Hathwa Ward. The southern wing, containing the old Guzri Ward, was subsequently brought down, leaving largely the iconic frontal structure.

The surviving portion, distinguished by double-storey-high Doric columns on its eastern and southern facades, includes an old staircase lobby and a defunct British-era lift positioned between the former wings.

Heritage conservationists fear that this remaining section could also be demolished under the redevelopment project.

𝗚𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗵𝗶'𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁

The building holds particular historical significance because of Gandhi's visit on May 15, 1947, just months before India's independence.

Gandhi had travelled from Delhi to Calcutta, where he visited riot-affected areas and addressed a prayer meeting on May 14. He reached Patna the following day and addressed another prayer gathering.

On the same day, his grand-niece Manu Gandhi, who was also his caregiver and chronicler during the freedom struggle, was admitted to Bankipore General Hospital for appendicitis surgery.

Concerned about her condition, Gandhi reportedly remained inside the first-floor operation theatre, wearing a surgical mask, and watched the entire procedure.

INTACH has cited this association as a compelling reason to preserve the building, arguing that its historical importance extends beyond its architectural character.

𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲

In a letter dated October 22 to the PMCH principal, INTACH's West Bengal and Calcutta chapters described the surviving structure as a national heritage asset and urged authorities to preserve it for future generations.

The letter was also marked to Bankipur MLA and Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor.

"We at INTACH Calcutta learn with great concern about the clear and present fear of imminent demolition of the remaining portion of the iconic old Bankipore General Hospital building, since this landmark structure stands as a symbol of shared heritage of Bihar and Bengal as well," the letter stated.

G M Kapur, INTACH's convenor in Kolkata, highlighted the institution's origins in the Temple Medical School, established in 1874 and named after Sir Richard Temple, the then Lieutenant Governor of Bengal.

At the time, Bihar formed part of the larger Bengal Presidency, and Bankipore General Hospital was attached to the medical school.

Following the creation of the Bihar and Orissa Province in 1912, the institution was upgraded to Prince of Wales Medical College in 1925 and subsequently renamed Patna Medical College after independence.

INTACH noted that the first batch of 35 MBBS students at the upgraded institution had been transferred directly from Calcutta Medical College, then known as Medical College Bengal.

The organisation said the historical connection demonstrated the institution's importance to both Bihar and West Bengal.

𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴

According to INTACH, Bankipore General Hospital was constructed largely through public endowments and predates the establishment of Patna Medical College.

With several other historic structures, including buildings dating to the Temple Medical School era, already demolished, the hospital is now considered the oldest surviving building on the PMCH campus.

The organisation argued that its architectural features, institutional history and connection with the freedom struggle made its preservation particularly important.

"Having been visited by Mahatma Gandhi and his grand-niece Manu Gandhi being operated in the old OT of the building, which he himself watched, makes it a singular reason itself to preserve and restore the building for the current generation and the posterity," the letter said.

It warned that demolishing the remaining structure would erase an important physical link between the histories of Bihar and Bengal.

"The building represents a shared heritage of Bihar and Bengal, and demolition of the structure will tragically sever this historic link between the two neighbouring states," INTACH stated.

𝗣𝗠𝗖𝗛 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

PMCH Principal Dr Geeta Sinha confirmed on November 6 that she had received INTACH's appeal through email.

Acknowledging the building's historical importance, Sinha expressed regret over the demolition of its major sections and supported preserving what remained.

"This is a heritage building with a lot of memories associated with it. So, it should be preserved," she said.

Sinha, who previously headed the institution's obstetrics and gynaecology department, also acknowledged that Gandhi's association with the building added considerably to its heritage value.

However, she clarified that any decision regarding the structure's future would have to be taken by the Bihar government or the state health department.

The PMCH website continues to highlight the institution's origins, describing it as one of Asia's oldest medical colleges and noting its history dating to 1874.

It also records Manu Gandhi's surgery and references other prominent personalities who received treatment at the institution.

𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Along with its letter, INTACH submitted a memorandum from concerned Patna residents seeking the preservation of historic buildings within the PMCH campus.

The memorandum emphasised that the institution, established largely through public contributions, represented an important part of Patna's urban and medical history.

It argued that redevelopment should not come at the cost of erasing architectural landmarks associated with the city's past.

"However, in the race for development, the priceless built heritage of this august medical institution is gasping for breath," the memorandum stated.

Both INTACH and the concerned residents have urged authorities to balance modernisation with conservation by retaining and restoring the surviving portion of Bankipore General Hospital.

The appeal draws on the institution's long history of providing medical care, expressing hope that the hospital, which has treated generations of patients, will itself receive a "healing touch" through timely intervention by the authorities.