In a significant discovery during ongoing preservation work, archaeologists and conservationists have unearthed buried steps leading to the historic Vinoba-Mira Kutir at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. This one-room cottage, which once housed social reformer Acharya Vinoba Bhave and British-Indian disciple Madeleine Slade (Mira Behn), is undergoing its first major restoration, revealing architectural secrets lost to time.
A Surprise Discovery Beneath the Sand
The restoration project, supervised by noted conservation architect Prof Rabindra Vasavda, led to an unexpected find. As workers dug around the cottage, they discovered a one-and-a-half-foot high plinth and two steps that had been completely buried, aligning the cottage floor with the ground level for years. Trustee Kartikeya Sarabhai of the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust (SAPMT) expressed surprise, noting that even long-time ashram visitors were unaware of the original elevated design.
"When the ground around the kutir was dug up, we found that its level was 1.5 feet below. So, we are restoring it to what it was. Like Hriday Kunj, there were two steps going up," Sarabhai explained. Officials believe the steps were likely buried decades ago during ground leveling for a light and sound show.
Preserving a Symbol of Aparigraha
The Vinoba-Mira Kutir is a profound symbol of Mahatma Gandhi's principle of aparigraha (non-possession). Architect Neelkanth Chhaya, in his book 'Gandhi’s Places', describes it as a roofed space permanently open on one side, without doors or windows—meant solely for shelter. The ongoing work, expected to finish in about 15 days, involves meticulous care.
Wooden beams and roof supports are being treated with special chemicals to enhance strength and water resistance. Roof tiles have been cleaned and coated. A dedicated pipeline is also being installed to divert rainwater towards the Sabarmati River, preventing structural weakening around the cottage.
Historical Significance and the Larger Project
The cottage holds immense historical value. Vinoba Bhave lived there from 1918 to 1921, later leading the Bhoodan Andolan. Mira Behn resided there between 1925 and 1933. The site even attracted a high-profile visit in 2022 from then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who received a copy of Mira Behn's autobiography.
This restoration is a key component of the massive Rs 1,200-crore Gandhi Ashram Memorial and Precinct Development project, a joint initiative of the Gujarat and Central governments. The SAPMT is managing the core heritage area, with restoration of Hriday Kunj next in line after the Vinoba-Mira Kutir work concludes.
Secretary of SAPMT, Atul Pandya, emphasized the necessity of the work, citing damage from water runoff due to the natural slope towards the river. The project ensures this iconic symbol of simplicity and Gandhian ideology is preserved for future generations, literally raising it back to its original stature.
