Apathetic nation loses over 50 monuments

If the report by a parliamentary committee headed by CPM MP Sitaram Yechury is anything to go by, 53 monuments “now exist only in memory and in history books". In other words, they are “missing”.

The panel has also drawn the attention of the government towards the plight of the forts nation-wide.

“Many of the forts are made up of dry sandstone on foundation of clay, sand and rock. Forts are facing the problem of encroachments also. These forts are ill maintained and in a dilapidated condition’’, the panel said.

Besides, guns of emperor Sher Sha at ‘Na-sadia’, Tinsukia (Assam); rock carving of Sitala, Narada, Brahma, Radha Krishna at Basohli, Kathura (Jammu & Kashmir) and Lal Gumbad (Delhi), have disappeared, the panel added.

The government and the Archeological Survey of India have attributed the “disappearance” to growth of tourism and number of tourists.

The Jaisalmer fort, also known as ‘Sonar Qila’ or Jewel of Desert’, reportedly listed among the most endangered sites of the World Monuments Fund, is plagued by seepage. Its walls have developed cracks. 

The “missing monuments issue” has also attracted the Delhi high court’s attention that has put the government and ASI on the notice.

The monuments missing from Delhi, included Moti Gate in Bazidpur; Phool Chadar, Mubarakabad; Barakhamba Cemetery; Alipur Cemetery, Joga Bai Mound, Jamia Nagar, Shamsi Talab, Mehrauli and Nicholson statue.

In Uttar Pradesh there are eight untraceable monuments. Most of them are spread over Lucknow, Banda, Hardoi and Jalaun.