Uncovering Nagpur’s Forgotten Heritage: Dr Cathleen Cummings’ Work
- thenewsdirt
- Feb 10
- 4 min read
Nagpur, often overshadowed by the grand narratives of India’s historical centres, holds a lesser-known but equally intriguing past.
Its temples, monuments, and architectural landmarks from the 18th century stand as silent witnesses to an era shaped by the Bhosale dynasty.
While these structures have long existed outside the mainstream discourse of Indian heritage, one academic has dedicated years to bringing them into focus.
Dr Cathleen Cummings, an Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has embarked on a remarkable journey to document, analyse, and understand the sacred and urban architecture of Nagpur during the rule of the Bhosales.
Her work sheds light on a chapter of history that has remained largely unexamined, offering a deeper perspective on how architecture shaped the city’s development.
A Scholar’s Journey into Nagpur’s Architectural Past
Dr Cummings' fascination with Indian art and architecture is evident in her extensive research spanning multiple regions of the country.
Her focus on Nagpur, however, is particularly significant due to the lack of comprehensive studies on its historical structures.
The Bhosale dynasty, which ruled the region in the 18th century, left behind a collection of temples, forts, and civic buildings, many of which remain unrecognised in mainstream heritage narratives. Dr Cummings took it upon herself to change that by meticulously documenting these sites.
Her research project, Sacred Architecture and the Transformation of Urban Space in Eighteenth Century Nagpur, was awarded a senior short-term fellowship by the American Institute of Indian Studies in 2018-2019.
Through this initiative, she set out to explore how religious structures influenced the city’s spatial organisation, how the Bhosales integrated architectural elements from different cultural influences, and how these designs reflected the socio-political environment of the time.
The work involved extensive field visits, photography, and mapping, creating an invaluable record of heritage sites that had remained in the shadows for too long.
Unlike cities with well-preserved historical documentation, Nagpur’s 18th-century structures have suffered from neglect, encroachments, and modern developments that have altered their original form.
Dr Cummings’ research attempts to trace their significance, piecing together fragments of information to understand how they functioned within the urban fabric of the era.
Her findings suggest that the Bhosales played a crucial role in shaping Nagpur’s architectural identity, yet their contributions have not received the attention they deserve.
By bringing these structures into academic discussions, she is helping to ensure they are acknowledged as an essential part of India’s artistic and historical landscape.
An Illustrated Study of Bhosale Architecture
One of the most compelling aspects of Dr Cummings’ work is her illustrated lecture titled Nothing to See Here: Situating the Study of Nagpur Bhosale Architecture within Indian Heritage and History.
Delivered as part of the History and Heritage: The Afterlife of Monuments series at the India International Centre in New Delhi, the lecture addressed the overlooked status of Nagpur’s architectural heritage.
It drew attention to how heritage studies have often prioritised well-known sites while ignoring those in regions considered less historically significant.
In her lecture, Dr Cummings highlighted how Nagpur’s temples and structures from the Bhosale period exhibit a blend of Maratha, Mughal, and Deccan architectural influences. While these monuments are architecturally unique, they lack detailed documentation in historical records. This absence of formal recognition has contributed to their gradual decline, making it imperative to record them before they disappear entirely.
She also discussed the use of urban space in 18th-century Nagpur, explaining how the placement of religious and civic buildings shaped the city’s growth. Temples were not merely places of worship but also served as focal points for social and economic activities. Their locations within the city provide insights into how the Bhosale rulers governed and structured urban life.
Her research methodology combines historical texts, local oral traditions, and modern technology.
By employing GPS mapping, she has been able to create a systematic record of these heritage sites, pinpointing their exact locations and conditions. This mapping effort is crucial in providing a clearer picture of how Nagpur’s architectural landscape evolved during the Bhosale reign.
The Larger Impact of Her Research
Dr Cummings’ contributions extend beyond academic circles. By placing Nagpur’s heritage within a broader historical context, she is challenging the way Indian architectural history is perceived.
Most studies focus on monumental structures like forts, palaces, and grand temples in cities such as Delhi, Jaipur, or Varanasi. Nagpur, despite its rich past, has not been part of that conversation. Through her work, Dr Cummings is bridging this gap, ensuring that the architectural contributions of the Bhosales are not forgotten.
Her research has also sparked discussions about the preservation of Nagpur’s historical sites. Many of these structures face threats from rapid urbanisation, a lack of heritage conservation policies, and, in some cases, complete oblivion. By documenting and analysing these monuments, she is creating a foundation for future researchers, conservationists, and policymakers to build upon.
Furthermore, her work has highlighted the need for interdisciplinary approaches in heritage studies.
Architectural history is not just about buildings; it is deeply connected to political history, cultural shifts, and social transformations.
By examining the urban changes that took place in 18th-century Nagpur, Dr Cummings provides a more nuanced understanding of how cities evolved in response to rulers, communities, and external influences.
Her meticulous documentation serves as a reminder of the architectural wealth that exists beyond India’s well-documented heritage sites.
It opens the door for further research into similar underexplored regions, urging scholars to look beyond established narratives and consider the lesser-known contributions to the country’s artistic and architectural history.
References
Cummings, C. (2018-2019). Sacred Architecture and the Transformation of Urban Space in Eighteenth Century Nagpur. American Institute of Indian Studies. Retrieved from https://www.indiastudies.org/aiis-2018-2019-fellowship-recipients/
India International Centre. (2022). Nothing to See Here: Situating the Study of Nagpur Bhosle Architecture within Indian Heritage and History. Retrieved from https://iicdelhi.in/programmes/history-and-heritage-afterlife-monuments-8
University of Alabama at Birmingham. (2023). Saving Sacred Architecture in Nagpur, India. Retrieved from https://www.uab.edu/news/arts/item/10034-saving-sacred-architecture-in-nagpur-india
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