Raj Kapoor's Ancestral Peshawar Haveli Partially Collapses After Rains, Earthquake

Mumbai: Heavy rains and an earthquake in Pakistan on Friday night caused a portion of the historic Kapoor Haveli, which belonged to the Bollywood actor Raj Kapoor, in Peshawar to collapse. The Kapoor Haveli is an important cultural site in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

How did the Raj Kapoor's haveli suffer damage?

The Pakistan government declared the century-old Kapoor Haveli, which is a significant cultural site in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a national heritage site in 2016. 

The Kapoor Haveli had weakened due to continuous rains and the earthquake that struck late Friday night further destabilized its already dilapidated structure.

What did Shakeel Waheedullah say?

Shakeel Waheedullah, secretary of the Heritage Council in KPK province, said that a portion of the mansion's wall collapsed after the earthquake, raising concerns about the safety of the remaining structure. There were no reports of casualties or injuries.

Waheedullah urged the Archaeology Department and the provincial government to take immediate steps to restore and preserve the historical building and warned that further neglect could cause irreparable damage to the cultural heritage of the region.

Where is Prithviraj Kapoor's Haveli located?

Kapoor Haveli is located in the heart of Peshawar's famous Qissa Khwani Bazaar. It was the residence of Prithviraj Kapoor, who is the first member of the Kapoor clan to enter the film industry. 

The Haveli was built by his father, Dewan Basheswarnath Singh Kapoor, between 1918 and 1922. Raj Kapoor and his uncle, Trilok Kapoor, were born here.