Architectural Activism and Public History: Academic Interventions for the Preservation of Kaman Sarai, Gurugram, Haryana

Abstract

This paper examines the role of academic institutions in partnering with civil society and cultural organisations to protect built heritage through science communication, academic outreach, and grassroots activism. Using Kaman Sarai in Gurugram, a neglected Mughal-era structure, as a case study, it demonstrates how the Sushant School of Art and Architecture (SSAA) used academic expertise, interdisciplinary pedagogy, and community networks to create public awareness and conservation debates. The initiative documented the site’s architectural and historical significance through collaboration with local civil society groups, urban activists, and municipal authorities. This knowledge was disseminated through accessible academic journalism, public exhibitions, heritage walks, and educational workshops, translating scholarly research into societal action. The case shows how architectural education can extend beyond the classroom to support heritage advocacy by linking academic research with public engagement. The project also built a contextual relationship between the site and local stakeholders. Shopkeepers and residents were actively involved and educated about the site’s layered meanings, highlighting both physical preservation and its intangible memorial, generational, associative, and heritage values. The involvement of local political figures, including the ward mayor, encouraged shared ownership and accountability, offering a model for academic engagement in cultural preservation and sustainable urban development

Local political actors, such as the ward mayor, were also involved, further strengthening the sense of ownership and accountability. SSAA is a case study for academic institutions that want to be active participants in the fields of cultural preservation, science communication and sustainable urban development. It demonstrates how knowledge production can productively address community needs and historical continuity.