Friday August 05, 2011 11:59:22 AM, IANS

Islamabad: An imposing mansion built in 1920s, called the Taj building, in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province faces threat from the construction of shops, say locals who have demanded that it be protected.

The beautiful building was constructed by a man whose home in New Delhi today houses India's National Defence College.

The original Taj Mahal is in India's Agra city. It is a 16th century monument to love built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

Residents of Nowshera have asked the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to have a comprehensive strategy for preservation of old buildings, especially Taj Building in Nowshera.

"Built in 1920s, Taj Building is an architectural jewel on the Grand Trunk Road in Nowshera, which is facing an imminent threat from the construction of new shops," Dawn quoted architect Mian Hamim Gul as saying.

The three-storeyed building has an imposing structure and its facade is decorated with floral and vine patterns in intricate stucco. It has a blend of Roman, Gothic and Oriental architecture.

The building was constructed by a wealthy man called Khan Bahadur Taj Mohammad Khan of Badrashi village, Nowshera.

"The present defence college building in New Delhi, India, was also his personal mansion," said another local.

The history of the National Defence College states that Khan had built the mansion in New Delhi for his own comfort so that as and when he would be in Delhi he could stay here and entertain his business associates and friends.

The house was handsomely built, designed to serve the purpose of a rich man as well as exhibited aristocratic taste. He usually stayed in Nowshera and came to Delhi during racing season.

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