2008 EAL 01 Page 1

PRILIMINARY THESIS SYNOPSIS

NAME OF THE PROJECT
LADDAN FORT RESTORATION FOR RENEWAL OF UDHAMPUR TOURISM AND HERITAGE.
INTRODUCTION
Udhampur has a rich heritage and history. But this heritage and history is hardly known to the local
udhampurites. When asked about their local heritage and history, they are hardly aware of and reply is they
know very less. When asked if they have forts, they reply nil (contrary to fact that they have 2 intact and
used to have 2 more few decades back. They have little knowledge about how many Bowlis they have,
Archeological monuments they have and many dont even know about the location of Krimchi group of
temples.
In order to bring back this awareness about local culture, heritage and history; specially pertaining to present
architectural heritage, this project has been selected by me so as to contribute back to Udhampur, a place
which made me feel like Indiana Jones. Laddan fort is a dream like Fort ruins where not even the people of
laddan village visit.
The site has a wonderfully preserved temple with carvings depicting the whole of Ramayana.
NEED OF THE PROJECT
NO ONE IS THERE TO TAKE CARE OF IT, HENCE IN THE DAYS TO COME THE PEOPLE WILL KNOW IT
FROM THE HISTORY BOOKS ONLY
ASHOK JERATH
Author of
Forts and Palaces of the Western Himalaya
(Only book with mention of fort after Independence)
STUDIES TO BE DONE
Interviews
Interview of Mr. Ashok Jerath and other Archaeologists & historians of Udhampur and
Jammu.
Interview of Sh. Balwant Singh Mankotia, Udhampur MLA.
Interview of Local residents of Laddan and Udhampur (with main focus on Elderly persons).
Literature Study
Forts and Palaces of the Western Himalaya, by Ashok Jerath
History of the Punjab Hill States,Vol.1&2, Hutchison and Vogel
Archaeological Survey Reports, relevant volumes only
Historical records of Jammu and Kashmir, if accessible
Other relevant books, (no web study possible)
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Case Studies
Reasi fort, Reasi
Bahu fort, Jammu
Other restored forts in Jammu region and Kashmir Region, if possible
Other forts in Jammu Region
Additional case study as suggested by faculty and archaeologists
Site study
Detailed site study of the site and fort, including construction details and present senario

The main synopsis including the program and methodology of Thesis shall be given after
finalization of this thesis topic.

By
Navyodai Kanth
2008 EAL 01