This majestic house, which is now considered a heritage landmark, is the Habibullah Estate in Hazratganj, Lucknow.
The lady of the house today is Begum Hamida Habibullah, ex-MP of the Rajya Sabha, former Minister of State for Tourism & Civil Defence, and currently President of Avadh Degree College. She was married to the Late Major General Enaith Habibullah, Founder Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla. The couple have one son, two daughters, three grandsons, two granddaughters and nine great-grandsons.
Needless to say, the lineage of the Habibullah family, before and after the Begum, is as illustrious as it is long!
She is happiest when she spends time with her family, and having the papers read to her every morning is just part of a true Begum’s daily routine!
The Begum is a passionate proponent of preserving and restoring old buildings and houses like this one, irrespective of the cost involved. She also says that it is very important to know how to marry the old and the new – retaining the original exterior architecture, while updating the facilities within the house to include modern amenities. She says, “As custodians of these old buildings we also have a duty to pass them on to the future. If we can improve and make them viable they will last or else crumble and no signs of heritage would remain”.
The Begum remembers restoring the house was an uphill task. Because of erosion from leakage during heavy monsoon rains most of the rooms in the main building had become unusable. Restoration was also a major cost, so, finally to make it viable they decided to utilise the main building commercially.
There were no designer stores in Lucknow yet, and having seen them in other parts of the world, the family felt that there was a market for them in the city. The location of the building was a big plus. Many architects and others advised against the restoration, but after mulling possible alternatives the Begum and her family-affirming that like they could create something that would retain the heritage and enhance it, decided to labour on!
The family managed to restore the entire main building. They had to change the entire roof, most of the walls, and where the flooring could be retained, it was repaired; like in the verandah, and in the area given to Ritu Kumar for her studio.
The designer stores give the property a very exclusive look, as the old building’s look was enhanced by the stores inside. Now the property is considered a heritage landmark, whereas it could have been replaced by ugly concrete structures that dot our cities, stripping away their individuality and heritage
The Begum is very passionate about her home and explains how a heritage property can still be used as a house. She says, “The only problem is the high ceilings and the small openings in the walls, as windows were kept small to keep the building warm in the winter and cool in summer; and so the only problem is lack of outside light coming in, but then that is the style of the old buildings. The high ceilings and overall look makes up for that!”
The bathrooms and plumbing all needed to be modernised and redone. Reusing original material is a great way to restore buildings too. The old fireplaces in the building still work, and are used in the winters instead of electric heaters. The large trees in the compound provide ample firewood.
A heritage property can certainly be a home, and with some strong finances and determination, can provide an overall living experience much better than in a modern building! The love for her home is evident in the Begum’s eyes, and in the way she speaks about it. She is content at the thought of having brought the home back close to its former glory, and ensured that it stays in the family for generations to come.
‘Houses of India’ is our weekly photo-story project, where we discover one home, and its story. Follow us on Instagram @housingindia, and join us on this beautiful journey across the country.
