PATIALA, April 25 - In the late 18th century, when Maharani Aas Kaur got a serai constructed at the main entrance to the then princely state of Patiala, she would never have imagined that the building meant for the comfort of the visitors would be one day used as an interrogation centre by the CIA wing of the district police.

The Maharani, who used most of her treasure to construct the serai, would be today turning in her grave as well.

The dilapidated condition of the once majestic edifice is cause for concern. A major portion of the historic inn has already crumbled. The remaining is breaking apart, thanks to official apathy and the vagaries of nature. If preservation measures are not taken at the earliest, the serai's splendour would soon slip into the long list of the city's historic monuments which have already passed into oblivion due to utter neglect.

The serai was built in the late 18th century on the instructions of Maharani Aas Kaur, wife of Maharaja Sahib Singh. The Queen is said to have developed a philanthropic zeal in the twilight of her life. She found that visitors to the state who came from far and wide had no place to rest. At that time the Sanauri Adda side of the city, which today falls at the rear, used to be the main entrance to the Sirhindi Bazaar, a hub of trading activity.

The serai is a specimen of Sikh architecture which has few other examples left today. According to Capt R.S. Randhawa, Additional Deputy Commissioner and art connoisseur, the serai is basically a haveli is one of the beautiful examples of Sikh architecture which has few parallels in the form of brick masonry.