Baked Brick & Wood Architectural Wonder
Board Approval: 1 Nov. 2013 \ Rs. 18.3 million
Built at the beginning of the 20th century by Sardar Lal Mohammad Khan Odho, the Odho haveli in village Tajo Dero, Taluka Garhi Khairo, District Jacobabad is of unique architectural significance.
The Odho Haveli was found in precarious condition as a large portion of its roof had caved in and the rear wall had weakened considerably. Rising damp was one of the major causes of the building’s deterioration. EFT approved the request for financial and technical support for the restoration of the structure in November 2013. Work had already begun in December 2011, with efforts made to restore this haveli to its original grandeur. Moulded bricks were specially commissioned from Sukkur and glazed tiles from Nasarpur Ceramic Centre under the supervision of master craftsmen
Conservation work to date has focused on Otaq and Chaunro, which includes the underpinning, pointing and physical damp-proofing of walls, controlled dismantling and resetting of dislodged cut brick work, replacement of partially collapsed roofs and the re-plastering of the interior walls. New terra cotta paving around the perimeter of both structures was also carried out, as well as kashi tile work on the exterior walls and interior roofs of the buildings. Windows and doors were restored and polished, the electrical systems were reinstalled, and the damaged flooring was also repaired. Work was completed in July 2017.
The second phase of conservation work has commenced for the other components of the Odho Haveli, namely the Wadi Mari (Zanana Khana) or female living quarters of the complex. Work commenced in mid-2019.
