Repurposing the Traditional water elements of Vijayapur as Social node.

Abstract

Vijayapur is a treasure house of cultures and customs, religions and traditions, art and architecture. Endowed with rich cultural heritage and bestowed with majestic monuments, handicrafts etc. Vijayapur The Great Historical city of Karnataka, It is the treasure of Islamic architecture.

Vijayapur(Karnataka) is noted for its historical monuments of architectural and social importance, which also include the water systems (Bawdis, talabs, ganjs, tanks and khane) taken up during the Adil Shahi times. Apart from providing source of water for the city the water monuments also worked as a center for cultural, social and religious practices.

This paper is an attempt to understand Traditional Vijayapur water systems in contrast to present time piped network. The traditional water system had large footprint within the city. Due to the loss of its function, it now remains as mere artifacts and many of the water monuments are abandoned and are being used as dumping grounds and many of the monuments properties have been encroached.  Few of the monuments are being protected by ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) and Wakf Board.

This paper is an initiative to keep alive these water elements and to promote them by giving them a new purpose and by merging these in the existing tourist network. This will help in connecting dispersed Traditional water elements and tourist destinations by connecting them with surrounding open space network with the blend of traditional art, craft and communities. This will help in showcasing traditional water elements in the background of historical monuments and enhance connections of neglected Monuments and thus help in revitalizing