The building also served colonial-era administrative and postal functions. Originally a two-storey structure, it features thick brick walls, arched openings, timber construction, decorative cornices and traditional wooden ceilings.
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The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has documented the historic Bargola building at Fancy Bazar, Guwahati, highlighting its architectural, historical and socio-cultural significance.
Established in 1828, Bargola, also known as the Mahasingh Meghraj Bahadur Mercantile and Residential Building, served as the Guwahati branch of the Kuthari family’s trading enterprise. By the 1930s, the enterprise had expanded to 64 warehouses and shops across Assam, making Bargola a major wholesale food-grain trading hub.
The building also served colonial-era administrative and postal functions. Originally a two-storey structure, it features thick brick walls, arched openings, timber construction, decorative cornices and traditional wooden ceilings.
Despite subsequent alterations, Bargola retains several original architectural features and remains part of Guwahati’s commercial landscape.
INTACH’s assessment assigns it ‘B’ grade for architectural value and ‘A’ grade for historical and socio-cultural value, with an overall heritage grade of II A. The assessment emphasises the need for its protection and sensitive conservation to preserve an important landmark of Guwahati’s mercantile history.
Also Read: Assam CM Seeks Bhupen Hazarika’s Kolkata Home for Heritage Site
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