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| Clive House in Dum Dum,Kolkata wikidata.org |
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| Remnants of Clive House,Kolkata thewire.in |
It is quite sad that Clive House in Dum Dum, Kolkata, a building with immense historical and archaeological significance, continues to be in a precarious state despite being a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) since 2000-2001. There has been no serious attempt to save this structure, one of the oldest in Kolkata. Although named after Robert Clive, Clive House predates the man, who helped to establish the British rule in India. After Clive, the house changed hands several times. and once served as a private residence of notable Englishmen. In 1890s, it served as a head quarters of Presidency Volunteer Reserve Battalion.
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| Clive House in Dum Dumvictorianweb.org |
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| Clive House in Dum Dumvictorianweb.org |
Dilapidated Condition: The building remains largely in "withered remains," with chunks of the structure reportedly falling off. The roof has partially collapsed, and many rooms on the ground floor are now roofless.
Encroachment: A significant challenge to its conservation is the presence of 20-25 squatter families residing on the premises, leading to unauthorized constructions and further deterioration of the structure
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| Robert Clive en.wikipedia.org |
Archaeological Importance: Despite its physical state, Clive House stands on an ancient archaeological mound that has yielded significant findings, including early historical pottery dating back to the Sunga-Kushana, Gupta, and post-Gupta periods, and even evidence of trade routes from the 15th-16th centuries CE. This makes the site crucial for understanding Kolkata's ancient history, potentially pushing its known habitation back by a millennium.
Public Awareness: Local NGOs like People's Green Society are actively working to raise awareness about the heritage of Dum Dum, including Clive House, through heritage walks and presentations, highlighting its plight and the need for conservation.
Conservation Efforts:
ASI Protection: The ASI took possession of Clive House in 2000-2001 and declared it a protected monument. They have undertaken some initial excavation work, revealing the earliest habitations in Kolkata's history, and cleared debris and renovated some parts, like the semi-circular stairs.
Judicial Intervention: As of late June 2025, the Calcutta High Court has directed the ASI, Kolkata, to submit a report within six weeks on the status of Clive House and suggest ways for its renovation and restoration. This order came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the restoration of the building, with petitioners highlighting its fragility and lack of regular maintenance. The ASI counsel has reportedly endorsed the plea for restoration.
Challenges: The presence of squatters on the premises continues to be a major hurdle for comprehensive restoration work, as authorities face the challenge of rehabilitation. Previous attempts at full restoration, including plans to turn it into a museum, have not materialized due to various factors, including the encroachment issue and past debates on the historical significance of restoring a building associated with Robert Clive.
While Clive House holds immense historical and archaeological value, its present status reflects a struggle between neglect, encroachment, and the slow pace of conservation efforts. The recent High Court directive offers a glimmer of hope for a more focused approach to its preservation. Stringent laws should be imposed to drive away the encroachers.
https://www.outlookindia.com/national/clive-house-kolkatas-oldest-existing-building-news-1095
https://thewire.in/culture/archaeological-survey-clive-house-kolkata
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