Condition Assessment of Hammam at Nagaur Fort

C2_MR | Leon Levy Foundation Centre for Conservation Studies at Nagaur | 2nd March 2018
Condition Assessment and Technical Imaging
Course instructor: Sam Whittaker
Maniyarasan R

Source: Google Maps, Accessed on 1st March 2018. Stitched from screenshots.

• The Nagaur kingdom is believed to have been established by the Nagvanshi kings who
built the original mud fort in the fourth century.
• The buildings of the Fort were built at different periods using the three universal and
historical materials of stone, lime and wood.
• Each structure maintains its own special character, the successful juxtaposition and
association of buildings on site read as a well-planned, pleasure-palace complex.
• Architectural spaces are a ﬁne combination of enclosed, open and semi open spaces,
which is reﬂected in the admirable organisation of gardens, courtyards and terraces
throughout the plan.
Source: 2013 On Site Review Report, by Laurence Loh

• Since the buildings in the Fort were built at different times, each one has its own set of
unique features.
• Today the complex reads as one. Some buildings are built on top of older ones.
• Spanning limitations of stone determine the width of spaces.
• Domes are used for wider spans.
• Stone roofs or domes are supported by load-bearing walls.

Characteristics of Hammam
• Orientation
• Domed structure, unlike others
• Presence of walls that doesn’t align with the columns on the Northern side.
• A Hammam or A Temple?
• Humanistic construction, like mud, clay ﬁnishes.

• A liquid moisture assessment was carried out in the Hammam to determine the infiltration.
• Drilling was invasive. Results showed that occurrence of the liquid moisture within the
walls is irregular. Water ingress may not be an active problem.
• It shows evidence of water infiltration.
• Staining, Plaster loss and Salt efflorescence.
• This area was chosen as a sampling location for the liquid moisture investigations to
determine if infiltration continues, in the 2006 assessment.

34
35 A
B
C
D
Hall 1 - A
Hall 2 - B
Hall 3 - C
Passage - D

September 2005
1st March 2018
50x Magnification
250x Magnification
0.45m

September 2005
1st March 2018

history and condition based on archival
documentation
September 2005
1st March 2018

Three main aspects
of the Hammam space
(35B).
1. Upper and central Dome
2. Middle Niche area
3. Lower plinth wall

Central Dome
1. Visible cracks running through the span, and
multiple locations. Cracks have been plastered
from the previous interventions.
2. Heavy liquid moisture stains are seen on the
northeastern side. No active ingress of water.
3. Paintings have disappeared from one side
towards the north eastern half of dome.
4. Insect nests’ traces exist as dust marks. One
active nest is seen towards the southern side.
5. Invasive injections for assessment are seen
towards the western end of the dome.
6. Plaster loss in some spaces.
7. Salt effervescence.
1
2
3
4
5
6

Central Niched Area
1. Visible cracks running from the ceiling
has continued down till the corners curved
niches, till the sill.
2. Liquid moisture stains are seen as
continuation from the ceiling.
3. Paintings have lost colours evenly,
except for the red in the left (Southern
corner)
4. Insect nests’ traces exist as dust marks.
No active nests.
5. Plaster loss within the lower niches.
Looks like images were removed from
them.

1. Blackened areas within the lower niches, suggesting possibility of the fire (burning of diyas).
2. Central deity image is seen without colouring.
3. Pins visible on the top line of this space, (where the dome ends). (Could have been used to
hang curtains).
4. Lot of localised graffiti visible.
5. Small incisions available through the area.

Lower Plinth Area
1. Heavy loss of plaster.
2. Colour change due to moisture content
or salts.
3. Powdering plaster. Significant loss from
the last assessment at 2006.
4. Insects nest traces available here as
well.

Visual Glossary
• Cracks
• Liquid Moisture
• Plaster Loss (Plinth)
• Plaster Loss (Ceiling)
• Plaster Loss (Niche)
• Colour Loss
• Insect nest

Visual Glossary - Cracks (Ceiling)
• Cracks in the ceiling plaster runs through
and through the dome. All the cracks have
been filled with the lime-based plaster.
• The cracks have been closely associated
with the liquid infiltration and colour change
in the dome.

Visual Glossary - Liquid Moisture
Staining
• Thick brown staining on the
north eastern surface of the
dome. It may be associated with
the liquid infiltration.
• There are cracks that are
associated with the liquid
moisture and stains.
• Most of the cracks here have
been filled.
• Presence of salts in visible as
well.

Visual Glossary - Plaster Loss
(Plinth level).
• Detachment or Loss of
adhesion between plaster
layers.
• Could be a part in relation with
the inherent susceptibility of the
plaster and support materials.
• Powdering of plaster to
possible areas of salt
efflorescence, has spread
through the lower wall.

Visual Glossary - Plaster Loss (Niches)
• Loss of plaster from the primary surface
or support.
• Lost as a whole part, that could have
had an image stuck to it, or a mirror kind
of material.
• Does not look like a natural loss.
• Exposed inner layer at locations.

Visual Glossary - Loss of pigments
• Fading of pigment colours has
occurred, in the upper curved
niches and one half of the dome.
• Some red pigment parts of the
flowers are visible on the left of
the wall.

Visual Glossary - Insects Nest
• Multi portioned casings patterns
from insect nesting.
• Most of them have fallen away
leaving traces on the wall. Two are
existing as of now.
• Some bird droppings are found as
well.

Observations
• Physical history research.
• Original technology and construction techniques research.
• Continuous monitoring ensuring further loss.
• Continuous monitoring for research.
• Aggressive monitoring through monsoons.

References
• Conservation Project Report A: 1998 - 2001, Minakshi Jain.
• Conservation Project Report B: 1998 - 2001, Minakshi Jain.
• 2013 On Site Review Report, by Laurence Loh
• Report on the investigations and treatment undertaken in Feb-Mar 2006 and proposals for future conservation,
Stephanie Bogin, Charlotte Martin de Fonjaudran, Sibylla Tringham

Condition Assessment of Hammam at Nagaur Fort

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