Restoration of MSU's 145-yr-old dome nears completion

Vadodara: M S University has announced that the restoration work of its iconic Faculty of Arts dome is nearing completion.

The 145-year-old, Asia's second-largest dome, was restored using traditional and eco-friendly methods. Under a comprehensive conservation initiative that began 18 months ago, the university restored seven out of nine domes, with the majority of structural and surface work now complete.

The final detailing, polishing, and painting are expected to conclude within the next four months, officials said. A unique natural mixture comprising jaggery, urad (black gram), fenugreek, and wheat was used in place of chemicals to strengthen the structure. The colours were revitalised using natural pigments from Rajasthan, while Belgian wood polish was applied to revive intricate wooden features.

"Preserving our architectural heritage is about honouring the vision of those who built our institutions. This dome is a beacon of Baroda's educational and cultural identity. Its restoration reaffirms our commitment to legacy, innovation, and aesthetics," said MSU's in-charge vice-chancellor prof Dhanesh Patel.

Constructed in 1880 under the leadership of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III and designed by the renowned British architect Robert Fellowes Chisholm, the Faculty of Arts building exemplifies the Indo-Saracenic style, with a central double dome inspired by the Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur.

The structure, with its distinctive red brick façade and blend of Indian and Gothic elements, has stood the test of time for 145 years as a beacon of higher learning and heritage.

With a diameter of around 70 feet, the central dome is a feat of engineering and artistic brilliance. Its lotus-inspired form, radial design, and surrounding smaller domes are once again radiating with renewed splendour.

"This dome is more than bricks and mortar. It speaks in silence, reminding us of our scholarly roots, our cultural continuum, and our aspirations as a university of global relevance rooted in Indian soil. Its restoration is not just a technical task—it is an act of reverence," said prof Hitesh Raviya, officer on special duty (public relations and communication) at MSU.

MSU's chief engineer Rudresh Sharma said that the project is being executed at the cost of nearly Rs 5.50 crore. Almost 85% of the work is over, and the entire project is likely to be completed in the next four months.

Part 2: Landmark with blend of history and aesthetics

Vadodara: The Faculty of Arts dome at M S University is distinguished as Asia's second-largest masonry dome. Although the Gol Gumbaz dome at Bijapur is Asia's largest masonry dome structure, the dome in Vadodara is far more appealing than Gol Gumbaz when it comes to aesthetics.

In fact, the use of colours, which were in the original design, made the MSU dome—designed on the lines of Saint Peter's dome in Vatican City—more appealing than Gol Gumbaz. The exteriors of the arts faculty dome, which were once painted with natural colours like ‘haldi' (turmeric), vanished with the passing of time. The interiors of the double dome structure are better coloured than Gol Gumbaz.

The Indo-Saracenic style architecture of the 144-foot-high central dome is said to have inspired the architecture of the Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai, which was completed by George Wittet in 1914. The dome itself is part of the imposing ‘E' shaped building that was constructed at the cost of Rs 8,30,150. The main dome and eight smaller domes cover a 35,000 sq ft area, while the Premanand Hall, named after Kavi Premanand, which earlier served as a convocation hall, is decorated with mural works.

Starting from philosopher Aurobindo, who taught French at the Baroda College, several luminaries, including social reformer Dattatreya Kalelkar (Kaka Kalelkar), were students of the now Faculty of Arts. Aurobindo himself served as vice principal of this college in 1905.

Part 3: Dome with natural ventilation, light

Vadodara: Renowned British architect Robert Fellowes Chisholm, who designed the iconic dome of M S University, vividly described the making of the heritage building. A book, ‘The Transactions', unveiled by the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1883, contains a chapter titled ‘The New College for the Gaekwar of Baroda'.

"The Baroda College is an attempt to…make native art and indigenous forms subservient to the conditions and requirements of the day. The materials of the new college are red brick, a beautiful satin grey sandstone, and red and green glazed terra-cotta," the chapter states.

The external dome of the college, measuring 70 feet in diameter, was an engineering marvel. Constructed without traditional centering, it consisted of an inner and outer shell linked by sixteen ribs, creating chambers that allowed natural ventilation and light. Chisholm noted that the dome alone weighed around 2,000 tonnes, yet the base pressure was well-distributed at about 3.5 tonnes per square foot.

The false dome below played an essential structural role by counterbalancing the thrust of the main dome. Its arches were corbelled out until they met at an octagon, forming a stable base. A mix of traditional scaffolding and modern techniques allowed for fast and efficient construction, with three rings of brickwork completed daily.

Materials like gun-metal cramps, pounded brick dust mortar, and hand-moulded bricks were used, reflecting both local craftsmanship and modern building standards. Chisholm even conducted an experiment with a 16-foot miniature dome made of terrace bricks, which stood the test of time as a tool shed.