Recently, news headlines said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had submitted an 800-page comprehensive report on the Gyanvapi Mosque. The report, which was conducted on the order of a Varanasi district court, concluded that there was a Hindu temple at the site prior to the construction of the mosque.
The political and religious debates on this apparent finding are endless and expected. But all I could think of was the vast number of neglected monuments in India under the ASI, and the possibilities of restoring them. Were abundant resources available, a myriad number of sites in dire need of rescue would be resurrected to their former glory, beckoning us to our rich historical past.
Another study called ‘Issues relating to Untraceable Monuments and Protection of Monuments in India’, has recently been tabled in both Houses of Parliament. This paper stresses the urgency in the upkeep of historic structures and the need for timebound preservation practices to successfully maintain and conserve historic monuments. I was rather upbeat about the report as I finally saw a silver lining, a ray of hope, that this would be the much-needed wakeup call. But there is little progress on this front.
Historic monuments are such an integral part of a country’s heritage. Withstanding the winds of change and the test of time, these are a tangible testimony to India’s ancient civilisation, connecting us to our roots and instilling in us a sense of identity and pride. Today, these architectural marvels also act as sources of revenue, generating national and international tourism, aiding in economic development and creating jobs for indigenous communities.
The ASI has been the custodian and authority of India’s historical monuments since 1861. A testament to the British Raj as well as independent India, the organisation has one of the most challenging tasks: the maintenance and caretaking of a cornucopia of stunning edifices. In a country with a vast expanse and diverse cultural heritage where archaeologically there could be great, exciting finds and discoveries perhaps daily (if the ASI flourished), we make do with meagre and constrained efforts and a struggling body. As a nation of such extreme diversity and a massive tourist influx, should we not have a designated authority with a dynamic work ethic?
To expect a single organisation to manage the monumental task of looking after 3,697 existing ASI-tagged monuments (comprising archaeological sites, museums, monuments, ancient temples, forts), simultaneously excavating, discovering and building new learning institutions, is simply unrealistic.
The 359th report on the Functioning of the Archaeological Survey of India gave a reasonable solution of dividing the organisation into two sections, with one focusing on explorations and the other on development. This seemed like a good starting point in making the organisation effective and allocating resources in a manageable manner.
While we wait with bated breath for good governance and management within the ASI, a revamped public-private partnership scheme arrives. Adopt A Heritage 2.0 is a more sophisticated version of its predecessor, ‘Adopt A Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’. The scheme allowed corporates to adopt a monument of national importance (from a list of monuments in need of conservation) for a minimum duration of five years, under their CSR mandate. Though the scheme was not as popular as one would have hoped, the monuments which were adopted, have been updated and upgraded. Be it Delhi’s Red Fort or Gujarat’s Modhera Sun Temple or even Maharashtra’s Ajanta Caves.
I recently enjoyed my visit to the Modhera Sun Temple, soaking in the tranquillity of the gardens and was impressed by the availability of information, strategically placed at an accessible point. Sadly, in comparison, the step well in Shihor, close to my hometown Bhavnagar, is generally strewn with litter, the walls are vandalised, and this too is a Protected Monument.
The reinvented scheme, however, has more clarity. Be it the type of restoration work permitted or even the building of added income and entertainment avenues such as memorabilia shops and cafes. I envision these 1000 listed monuments to receive a glamorous makeover.
Having said that, sadly, adopting a heritage monument is not so simple. We seem to be living in a state of flux where the digital is being promoted, but the regulatory and formal paperwork seems to only increase. The tediousness of tasks in successfully adopting a monument and signing the golden MoU, can be somewhat daunting and demotivating. Moreover, heritage conservation is not specifically on the CSR priority list of many corporates.
Building infrastructure and creating an impact in healthcare and education, water and sanitation are larger, more pressing issues. So where does heritage stand in this list of burning fires?
I would say that it should be an integral part of that list of pressing issues. Can you imagine an India without an impeccably maintained Taj Mahal? What would Agra’s revenue be if it were not for the Taj Mahal? Would tourists flock to India if the cultural richness of the country did not shine?
Historic monuments are the very ethos of our cultural identity and the responsibility of enhancing their resilience cannot rest on a single entity. If public-private partnerships were to successfully operate in a country as diverse as ours, perhaps the ASI could give more time and attention to creating effective systems, allocating and managing their resources and even hiring more trained and passionate professionals.
To keep up with global technological advances, it is imperative to make visiting monuments an engaging experience. If facilitated well, public-private partnerships can be a long-awaited solution. To many things.
Brijeshwari Gohil is a curator and conservator with a Masters in Heritage Management and Conservation from the UK. She is currently pursuing her PhD.