DOCUMENTATION OF FATEH CASTLE IN BOWSHAR

Shinuna Said Al Esry

Valuing our Heritage Contents • Introduction • Background Information of the site • Location study • Photographing documentation • Site analysis including Plans, sections, Elevations • The current state of the building • Artists Impression of Building in its original state • Owners own plan and Benefits of investment- Priorities for the future and possibilities

This document sets out the benefits of investment in the historic environment and the case for targeted increases to support the implementation of a new heritage protection system, to restore, repair and maintain historic places and to broaden overall knowledge of its history. The study has been carried with involvement of owner/family details and their own personal version for the future of their property has been noted. This is in the aim to reinforce the attitude of a community proud of their ancestors settlement; and a nation proud of its history. 2014.

Fateh Castle also known as Bait Al Kabir(the big house is located in the vicinity of Bowshar. It is an affluent building with a rich history belonging to the renowned Al Busaid family. Sayyid Khamis Bin Salim Bin Mohamed Al Busaidi was born in 1708 in the village of Adam. With a secular upbringing, Sayyid Khamis grew to be a courageous man where he assisted Imam Ahmed bin Said bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Busaidi (founder of the Al Busaidi state) in numerous expulsion of hostile invasions. In appreciation of Sayyid Khamis’ loyalty and military expertise, the Imam gave him the ruling authority of Muscat. However when domestic misunderstanding ensued, Khamis settled for ruling authority over the Bowshar region.

‘The rulers of Oman kept the title of Imam (..elected religious and political leader until 1802 after which they were distinguished as ‘Sultan’ or ‘Sayyid’.’

Consequently Sayyid Khamis constructed several buildings in this region for his family and people. One of them being the grand Fateh Castle which is located in the Fateh area within the governorate of Bowshar Muscat. The location of the Castle is of strategic positioning of fortification against hostile attack by being surrounded by mountains from the east and south, and the sand hills of the northwestern boundary. Both of these terrains were carefully considered on locating the castle, the mountains being a resilient defense setting which would act as a buffer against any hostile invasion to the castle whereas the sandy dunes in the northwestern area would slow any rapid raid or retreat from a hostile party.

Apart from its strategic location, the area was had very rich agricultural soil as well as a good water source. Sayyid Khamis Al Busaid, having grown up in Adam and moved to Rustaq after his marriage was well informed of the benefits Aflaj system and empowered various properties in that region. To this day , the area around the vicinity of the Fateh Castle has a sophisticated aflaj system Which ensured even water rotation to all nearby farming areas. In all the settlement from Adam , Rustaq and Bowshar region , there exists a sophisticated Aflaj system that nurture the date plantation farm and other seasonal crops as well as having various other domestic use.

There are three outlets of the Falaj system that are working to this day. Falaj Fateh and Falaj Saad and Falaj Ma’amourah. There was an existing another Falaj root, but it is no longer existent. The Falaj Saad: irrigates Farms of the Saad town and also there connector to Falaj Maamoura to increase the water in case of any interruption of springs. This is the strongest of the three springs in a continuous flow of water around the clock without the lack of year-round, whether in summer or winter

The construction of the falaj is made by one meter well below the water source where smaller wells supply into it thus increasing the volume and strength of water. A passageway of clay and rocks is constructed following the water source to ensure smooth flowing where it meets up with several canals which branch off to irrigate the various locations of the farms.

One of the main reason for selecting the area to build the castle was its sustainability. The area within the locality was highly fertile land . As Oman is characterized by water scarcity the highly needed falaj irrigation system ensures the arable land is sufficiently and equally irrigated. The average length of the falaj is three to five kilometers.

The water system around the Fateh Castle includes an ablution and washing area for women. The water of the Falaj goes down in level of priority, initially starting with human use, irrigation of date plantations and crops and for animal feed.

‘Falaj collects groundwater through natural infiltration conditions and conveys it to the ground surface by gravity. Construction of a falaj begins with excavation of a “mother well” extending 1-2 m into the free saturated zone. The channel is oriented approximately parallel to the groundwater flow direction, or at a small angle to this direction, in order to ensure water flow to the Falaj outlet (called the “sharia).’ (UNEP)

The open space is known as a ‘waqba’ which is an uncovered borehole used for cleaning any filth and aerating the water shaft to ensure free flowing of the water and oxygenating as well.

A Falaj taps into aquifers or underground streams that begin at the base of mountains. It may even tap in water from a system of interconnected wells.

‘Lejel’- a water collection used as storage to be distributed to various gardens

Aerial Image of Fateh Castle 1972

An aerial view of the castle taken from the south side

Neighboring buildings surrounding the castle. Adjacent to the Fateh Castle are several single storey buildings inhabited by the same family of the native locality. Bordering the castle on the Eastern side is a swimming bath (Birka Sibaha) including a female masjid (mosque) with an allocated water system of underground water which was controlled by man-made subterranean channels to various distribution areas to be used for irrigation and domestic purposes. There are several quarters that are part of the Fateh Castle that served as guard rooms in the north southern vicinity as well as comprising of stables for horses and other animals such as goats and sheep. Adjacent images and surrounding the castle About the springs surrounding the castle

The Front of the Fateh Castle

Photographic exploration inside the castle

Decorative woodwork

‘...wood is brought from the lands of the Zanj (East Africa)’* Hard wood was sourced from India and East Africa. Oriental vegetal designs impacted local Omani carvers. Such design are also emulated in Zanzibari doors clearly displaying the link of the Oman, the orient, India and East Africa.

The Fateh Castle space outline is concentrated around the four walled courtyard in the centre. Currently only a singular portion of the courtyard remains and it is in a deplorable state.

THE COURTYARD

THE ROOMS

Rooms were of various size but all same the same pattern in shape and layout. Smaller and more simple wall niches in all rooms in the ground floor while grander wall to ceiling to floor niches with wooden boards.

The downstairs room

The upstairs room

The tower

Sturdy vaulted ceilings made entirely by mud covers the staircase all the way up to the top tower room

Entrance to the tower and wall niche in the room to the tower

Surrounding buildings around the Castle

The Current state of the Castle as seen in photographic exploration is it needs immediate rehabilitation. Some walls have entirely collapsed, while doorways in all rooms have sunken into the ground. Both towers have a deep rift in between them. There is no flooring on ground and first floor apart from the front tower. All Ceilings have collapsed. Plastering has deteriorated exposing the walls with naked mud brick which in time will cause even further damage. According to one member of the owner of the castle, the elegant wooden door has been stolen. The elaborate wooden design on the door frame confirms the ancestral similar craftsmanship that is evident in many affluent and ornate grand houses in Adm and such areas.

The current state of the Fateh Castle

Architectural exploration of the castle

Section

Ceiling detail of wood beams, with a woven mat and a layer of mud

A wall selection

Artist’s impression of the castle

‘The ladies’ room

Morning coffee

From the tower

Store room and staircase

The future of the Fateh Castle The current holder of the Castle, Sayyid Nasser Bin Salim Al Busaidi a intends for the castle to be renovated to its original shape and layout. The future prospects for the castle is being a museum where some artifacts relating to the history of Oman in general can be displayed there.

Museums such as Bait Al Zubair , Fort Al Falaj house , Bait Al Baranda among others have thrived and a popular visiting scene for tourists and locals.

Bait Zubair and Bait Muzna have also focused on the art scene which has ensured an ample crowd at every exhibition extending over museum hours.

Recommendations

‘Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today and we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration, our touchstone, our reference point, our identity.’

Heritage: legacy from the past to the future UNESCO for World Heritage Sites

The Castle is located in Bowshar which facilitates visitors to visit on all times. Although the owner recommends a museum which is would certainly compliment the regality of the castle, timings would force visitation to a limit. The Omani people are well known for their hospitality and offers of refreshment and variety of authentic cuisine. Accordingly other recommendation would be to open an authentic Omani restaurant which would generate income as well as allow visitation times to exceed that of a museum only.

Design Guidelines for rehabilitation: • Significant damage (walls, floorings, ceilings, doors, windows, frames ) which are

in most cases currently non existent are to be restored using traditional material to ensure uniformity with the existing standing structures.

• Expert master builder(preferably Omani) to be sought for advise on material composition

• Architects and designers following original shape and layout to supervise restoration process

• Structure Engineers to ensure Strength of existing structure and detailing on proceeding with current structures.

• Attention to detail on existing decorative elements such as woodwork on doors, beams, columns and any other elements.

Bibliography and source : • Case Study 5: Aflaj Systems in Oman-(Sourcebook of Alternative Technologies for Freshwater

Augmentation in West Asia)United Nations Environment Programme Division of Technology, Industry and Economics

• ‘T’alaai’ il Fateh- Fii tareh Saad and Fateh-Khalfan Bin Salim Bin Ali Al Busaidi(2013) • Oman – A Comprehensive Guide-Hatim Al Taie et al (1997) • Islamic Art in Oman- Abdulrahman Al Salmi et al (2010) • East Africa through a Thousand Years –Gideon Were et al (1969) • Oases Settlements in Oman • http://www.omantourism.gov.om • http://www.nizwa.net • http://www.omanet.om/english/history/dynasty.asp • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Said • Interview with Sayyid Nasser Salim Al Busaid (2014)