Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 22nd March 2025: A digital archive documenting Pune’s modern architectural history was launched today at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. The Pune Architectural History Archive (PAHA) is the first digital archive dedicated to preserving Pune’s architectural heritage.

It has digitized more than 7,000 architectural drawings, over 500 photographs, 105 documents, and numerous other resources. PAHA was developed with the support of FLAME University and launched in collaboration with the INTACH Pune Chapter.

“Architecture is an essential part of a city’s history. Buildings shape neighborhoods, and neighborhoods influence the daily life of everyone,” said Pushkar Sohoni, Associate Professor at IISER Pune and a founding member of PAHA. “Pune has been witnessing a phenomenal pace of change in its built environment. It is imperative that we document these changes to preserve historical memory and the city’s identity. Now, this collection is open to everyone who wants to understand how modern Pune was built,” he added.

The PAHA website (www.paha.site) was launched in the presence of Sunil Mohite, Executive Engineer of PMC’s Heritage Cell, and Prof. M.A. Venkatramanan, Pro-Vice Chancellor of FLAME University. In his address, Mohite congratulated the PAHA team and encouraged archival experts to continue their research, uncovering new insights for citizens. He also announced the winner of the “From the Archive to the Street” competition, an initiative that connects Pune’s historic buildings with digital archives through QR codes.

Speaking on the significance of PAHA’s collection, Dr. Sarah Melsens, a research fellow at FLAME University, said, “The majority of PAHA’s collection consists of historical sources that were previously undisclosed. Until now, these documents were part of private collections belonging to architects, engineers, and contractors who designed and built Pune’s structures. Many of these old records were at risk of being damaged or discarded. By digitizing them, PAHA has ensured that this valuable information is preserved for future generations.”

She also noted that PAHA has recorded interviews to enrich historical narratives and provide context for the archived materials.

Beyond being a searchable archive, PAHA curates thematic narratives by integrating multiple sources from its collection. “We are also using AI to experiment with converting academic papers into conversational podcasts. A browse through the archive reveals the unique stories behind several iconic buildings and architects of Pune. Our objective is to engage heritage enthusiasts and encourage them to appreciate Pune’s 20th-century architecture,” Dr. Melsens added.

The launch event featured a felicitation ceremony for the architects who generously shared their private collections with PAHA, followed by a demonstration of the archive’s website and two panel discussions.

The first panel, “Archives in the Digital Age,” featured Samal Quraishi and Kartikeya Shodhan from CEPT Archives, Geetanjali Sayal and Prashansa Sachdeva from Deco in Delhi, and Atul Kumar from Art Deco Mumbai. The discussion explored the evolving nature of architectural archives, curation approaches, and the role of social media in documentation. Panelists also deliberated on how archival stakeholders can collaborate to strengthen their work.

The second panel, “Archives and Architectural Education,” included faculty members from Pune’s architecture colleges. They discussed how PAHA could serve as an educational resource, integrating multimedia narratives into coursework. Faculty members highlighted that PAHA bridges the gap between raw data, historical narratives, and architectural storytelling—an essential aspect of teaching history.

In her closing remarks, Professor Maya Dodd from FLAME University emphasized the importance of preserving Pune’s architectural identity amid rapid urbanization. “In recent years, Indian cities have witnessed a skyscraper boom, but citizens are also stepping forward to honor their city’s distinct architectural heritage. PAHA is a step in that direction. We hope it will enable history and heritage enthusiasts to engage with the city’s past.”

She also highlighted PAHA’s open-source and interactive nature, stating, “We want Punekars to contribute by adding narratives and undisclosed sources, making this archive a truly collective effort.”

The Pune Architectural History Archive is co-developed by an interdisciplinary team of Pune-based academics and professionals from diverse fields, including architecture, archaeology, public humanities, museum design, programming, and web design. The initiative aims to document and publicize Pune’s modern architectural heritage by digitizing endangered records and preserving historical memories.