8: Dhranghedra
Dhranghedra lies 20km east of Halvad and 115km west of Ahmadabad. It is founded on rock. The general level of earthquake damage in the town was moderate and reported to be less than in Halvad. The palace complex inspected (named Makhashraya Rajmahal) consists of three large linked buildings, namely Sundar Vilas, Surajmal and Ajit Niwas. The complex is a fine example of the intermingling of local craft and artistic traditions with European influences.
8.1 Sundar Vilas
There is some severe cracking in this part, particularly at upper levels, but there appears to be no imminent danger of overall collapse. The domes are heavily cracked, and masonry panels over the windows in the dome have shifted outward significantly, and there is damage to ornamentation (figure 22).
Figure 22: Sundar Vilas, Dhranghedra - dome
8.2 Surajmal
The central block consists of a Darbar hall, which extends for the full height of the building. It is flanked to the two longer sides, and to the north, by a series of smaller annex rooms with cross walls, and a passage running down the length of the external wall; these are on two levels. The walls are of dressed limestone masonry of high quality. The walls externally have bas relief carvings of eclectic styles which are of great architectural interest (figure 23).
Figure 23: Darbar Hall Dhranghedra - bas relief showing the 'Britannic Deity' Queen Victoria
To the east and north, the original roof over the passageway and annex rooms has been replaced within the last 2 years by a flat reinforced concrete roof bearing on the top of the walls. The external walls here shown little sign of distress; the balustrades on the top of this eastern external wall have not toppled. To the west, the original timber truss roof supporting clay tiles remains. The top of the west wall has shifted outward by a few centimetres (figure 24). As a result, two of the roof trusses have fallen, and some of the others have shifted on their bearings. The balustrades and cornice on top of the centre portion of this wall have toppled. There are some signs of cracking in the central Darbar hall but no serious signs of distress.
Figure 24: Surajmal, Dhranghedra - western corridor
8.3 Ajit Niwas
This is once again a building with a central porch and a central core of sets of rooms used for audience chamber as well as private areas, situated on two floors. There is a large periphery shielding this core and providing access ways to the private rooms. On a general level, the earthquake damage is on the upper floor peripheral areas where the structure of the building is badly shaken. The roof tops and parapets have tumbled and corner domed structures suffering separation and internal collapses of floors. The ground floor is comparatively unaffected by the earthquake, barring minor cracks at the crowns of many of the arches above doorways and windows.
Ajit Niwas, Dhranghedra - north facade
