Digital reconstruction of Mansingh Palace using historical descriptions and site analysis

Abstract

In the contemporary landscape of preserving cultural heritage, traditional documentation methods prove time-consuming. However, the emergence of 3D laser scanning technologies, photogrammetry, virtual reality, and augmented reality offers efficient alternatives. These advanced techniques facilitate accurate digital reconstruction and conjecture formation and give real feel which benefiting in diverse fields like virtual museums, 3D printing, gaming, and virtual tourism. This is particularly crucial in the digital reconstruction of heritage sites damaged by vandalism, natural disasters, or deterioration. Numerous case studies, including the Temple of Athena, Palmyra temple, and Kilburn Fortress and many others underscore the efficacy of digital reconstruction methodologies. Digital reconstruction is important for the heritage site where conservation of heritage sites has been done but it is important to understand that many heritage structures were conserved during the 18th & 19th Centuries when conservation theories were in the development stages. Today, they should be digitally reconstructed to propose conjectures based on the evidence. Similar, the case of Gwalior Mansingh palace has been discussed here which were conserved before 19th C when the conservation theories were developed. Therefore, in this research work a strategy has been developed to adopt a comprehensive approach to digitally reconstructing Mansingh Palace by holistic approaches, leveraging archival paintings and on-site investigations. Through this research, we aim to contribute to the digital reconstruction of the Mansingh palace and try to bring in closest original form based on archival description, evidence and site inspections.