A few days ago, messages claiming that the gate had been stolen started doing rounds. As they went viral, the ASI said it had kept the gate in a godown after the doorway collapsed.
One of the gates of the 600-year-old Vasai Fort is lying in utter neglect at a godown as officials from the Archaeological Survey of India await orders from superiors to restore it.
The lackadaisical attitude of the department was laid bare after historians and activists came across messages on the social media claiming that some miscreants had stolen the gate.
ASI officials said the gate has been kept in their custody after it collapsed some time ago. This explanation, however, has not cut much ice with the activists, who say the department must take proactive steps to conserve the heritage structure.
The Vasai Fort was erected in 1533 by Malik Tughan, a commander of Bahadur Shah, the royal Sultan of Gujarat. When the Portuguese forced the king out next year, they took the control of the fort and expanded it and built two gates – westward land gate and sea gate. In 1739, Chimaji Appa, younger brother of Bajirao Peshwa, captured the fort from the Portuguese.
"After capturing the nearby island forts of Dahanu, Tarapur and Arnala, the Vasai Fort was the major point for transportation of trade materials, artillery and food. The cut the supply lines of the Portuguese, Chimaji Appa wrested control of the fort from the foreigners," said Shiridatta Raut, a historian from Vasai, adding, "The gates are of historical importance and they should be preserved."
A few days ago, messages claiming that the gate had been stolen started doing rounds. As they went viral, the ASI said it had kept the gate in a godown after the doorway collapsed.
"The sea gate was in a dilapidated state. We had propped it up with the help of bamboo poles. But they gave up and the gate collapse. Until we get orders from the superiors, we cannot fix it. For the time being, we have kept it in the godown," said Ashok Holkar, monument attendant, ASI, Vasai.
He added, "The gate is in safe custody. The messages the social media were nothing but rumours. We will preserve the gate as it has historical importance."
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