Meghalaya | Preservation of Heritage: The Significance of “Mountain View”

By Dr. Rusievan Shangpliang

SHILLONG | March 15:

As part of history, objects, artifacts and monumental sites are important to the study of human history because they provide a concrete basis for ideas, and can validate them.  Their preservation demonstrates recognition of the necessity of the past and of the things that tell its story.

The connection between history and heritage is thus fundamental and inextricable. Not only do today's concepts of heritage require a retrospective contextual framework for their meaningful appreciation, but also there exists a need to present (and re-present) historical information in a way that it continues to be relevant to future audiences.

The evidences of historical facts have been depicted on tangible and intangible materials of human culture. According to the classification of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with regards to cultural heritage, there are two categories, tangible cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage. Furthermore, the tangible cultural heritage is sub-categorised into movable and immovable heritage, and under immovable heritage, historical building is being listed.

Meghalaya is known for its rich heritage such as megalithic culture and others however there several sites including historical buildings of modern period that require immediate attention for preservation.

Mountain View – Rev JJM Nichols Roy's home

One such historical building is the "Mountain View", the house owned and stayed by Rev. J. J. M. Nichols Roy. Look into the contribution of Rev. Nichols Roy, we have no doubt to say that he was a brilliant and fearless leader, a seasoned politician as well as a spiritual religious leader. Throughout his career he strived to preserve the identity, uniqueness and integrity of the Khasi-Jaintia community as a whole and also promoted national integration among the communities of Northeast India during India's Freedom Struggle.

The recognition of his capability was witnessed when he was chosen as one of the members of the Constituent Assembly to draft the respectable Constitution of India. His plea for the protection of the culture, identity and integrity of the indigenous population of Khasi-Jaintia Hills in particular and Meghalaya and Assam in general was permanently answered through the inclusion of the Sixth Schedule for the Scheduled Tribe to be included in the Constitution of India.

Thus, he rightly deserves the title "Father of the Sixth Schedule" because of his effort to bring justice and protection for the indigenous people of northeast India.This achievement that Rev. Nichols Roy did, earned him a respectable place not only in Meghalaya or northeast India but the rest of the country. It is worth to mention that the Department of Postal, Government of India honoured him by issuing a commemorative postage in 2009.

The Mountain View is located at Qualapatty Shillong and has the beauty and architectural design which captured several writers, the prominent personalities of India and the people of the state. P. R. Kyndiah in his work describes the house as "a beautiful red-roofed two storeyed house with a spacious lawn and tennis court where his sons played tennis almost everyday." This implies that the house captured the attention of Kyndiah and his friends during his childhood days. He further states – "to us it appeared a palatial building. Bah Joy was always busy with people who thronged his courtyard." (See P. R. Kyndiah, Rev. J. J. M. Nichols Roy: Architect of District Council Autonomy, p.ix). Till date this building was supposed to be around 100 years old and still stands as a landmark of historical importance being the residence of a political statesman.

The Journey

Rev. Nichols Roy undertook his long successful journey from his house. To mention a few, it was from this house that he served as the first tribal representative of the Assam Governor's Council from 1921 onwards, it was at this house that the Khasi National Dorbar (1923) initially started and from this house that he became a Member of the Assam Legislative Assembly in 1937. It was from this house that had further bolstered his religious and spiritual enlightenment that resulted in the establishment of the first organized biggest indigenous church, the Church of God (M&A) or Ka Balang U Blei and its spread not only in Meghalaya and Northeast India but in other parts in South Asia. (See-O. L.Snaitang Ka Jingim, Ka Jingngeit & Ki Jingtrei U Rev. J. J. M. Nichols-Roy, 1884-1959).

It was from this house that he went to Delhi and became close with Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and B. R. Ambedkar, it was from this house that his plan for achievement of the rights and protection of the northeast people resulted with the granting of District Council Autonomy in different parts of northeast India.

Its Significance

It is interesting to note that the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru during his visit to Shillong in December of 1945 had stayed with Rev. Nichols Roy at this residence and till date, two trees next to the Mountain View, each planted by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Rev. Nichols Roy stand as testimony to proclaim their friendship, respect and cooperation as leaders irrespective of religion, caste or race.

It is important to note that when Rabindranath Tagore visited Shillong in 1919, 1923 and 1927; he stayed at Rilbong Brookside, Jit Bhoomi at Rilbong and Sidli House (currently Solomon Villa) at Laitumkhrah respectively. It is being noted that the Brookside at Rilbong is being taken care of by the Government of Meghalaya.

In this same manner the residence of Rev. Nichols Roy also deserves the same attention.

The Mountain View is the only historical evidence of the life and contribution of Rev. Nichols Roy as such it is high time to appeal to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to declare it a heritage site under its protection. Till then, renovation should be done at the earliest.

His personal belongings, photographs, books, memoirs, letters, articles, pamphlets, etc.could be preserved and display as a mark to honour him and his legacy. Ignoring the significance of this historical building means a great loss of heritage to the community, the state and the country as a whole.

Therefore, we sincerely appeal to the ASI, the Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya, the Autonomous District Councils of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo, and more importantly to the most respected ecclesiastical stakeholders to immediately take steps and help in preservation of this Mountain View which serves as evidence about the man who had significantly served and contributed to the protection and development of the people in many aspects.