Saidpur village through architectural lens: Deciphering urban pattern and architectural heritage

Abstract

Saidpur is one of the oldest villages in Pakistan, its origin dates back five hundred years ago. Along with its scenic landscape, it has centuries-old historic importance as well. From the Mughal dynasty to subcontinent partitioning, this village has witnessed evolution of diverse eras. It displays architectural art and heritage of three cultures: Sikhism, Hinduism, and Islam, concentrated on one node in this place. Pakistan does not have any reliable system for recording, managing, and preserving heritage or platforms for recognition of heritage sites. As many other sites, the heritage of Saidpur is in demise and subject to vandalism today. It is important to bring forward the historic and architectural importance of this village globally. Before Saidpur’s historical vernacular construction styles are completely lost, it is essential to record its authentic and onsite information so that history can be preserved, and further actions could be taken on its protection and preservation. The case analysis of heritage buildings can also provide inspiration and learning for the future. Hence, this paper shall record and discuss Saidpur’s architectural and urban growth with time, its current situation, and analysis of its heritage architecture. This paper intends to collect and preserve both current and old accounts of Saidpur’s urban growth and architecture by research through interviews, surveys, and onsite data collection, and present them through images, drawings, records and mapping, survey infographics, tables, and analysis diagrams. The aim of this paper is to collect, generate, and record information on the evolution, history, vernacular architecture style, and heritage architecture of Saidpur and, promote and present data for further heritage conservation and protection work in Saidpur.