The bathing ghat at Bulandshahr is a stone platform with steps positioned between four domed towers on the banks of the Kali River.[1][2] Its foundation stone was laid on 1 November 1878 under the supervision of British district magistrate and collector for the Indian Civil Service, Frederick Growse.[1] An executive engineer informed the British government in India that it would be an "eye-sore" and in visual obstruction of the bridge, resulting in a two-year delay of construction.[1][3]
Structure
The towers are made from stone brick and each have eight sides, with red sandstone panels set in frames of white stone.[3] Two panels display the names of those who made financial contributions to the building of the ghat; listed in order of amount donated.[2] Opposite the ghat, further steps were built.[2] The river serves as a boundary to the east of Bulandshahr, and the bridge receives the main roads entering the town, resulting in the towers forming a landmark site for approaching visitors.[3] Each tower is topped with eaves and brackets over a plinth that provides support to a dome-topped open kiosk.[3] The height of each tower is Шаблон:Cvt; two are on land and two are at the edge of the water.[3]
Cost
The total cost was Шаблон:INRConvert, of which Шаблон:INRConvert was raised by the municipality; the rest was raised by the public.[3]John Lockwood Kipling noted that Growse had ensured it was locally financed, built in adherence to traditional Indian practices, and was "untouched by European training".[3][4] The most expensive part of construction was creating the deep wells for the tower foundations.[3]
