Indian Monument Restoration and Protection thread

[DeMorgan]

Hello,

Another transcription of a letter from 1817 written by T H Baber.

"The old [lady] having written a Petition the other day she wanted me to forward to you, but which I declined, not from any wish to with hold her Petition, but that it appeared more consistent with Propriety in her writing to you herself – Whether she has done so or not I know not, but if she has you will see her case (the Subject is her Lacadive Islands) fairly stated enough and will, I think agree with me that our faith has not been preserved to her – The Court of Directors under the idea that the Islanders were adverse to her Government, were of the opinion that it was not advisable to restore the possession of the Islands to her but that to the consideration in (money?) should be allowed her on account of them – nothing however can be so erroneous as the idea of the accession of the inhabitants to the Government, and it is but reasonable to approve that they would be far better treated by her than a Farmer or even Deputy, removed at such a distance from all control, I don’t know what the advantages are the Company at present derive from these islands, but when the Beebe says (which she has repeated to me) that she will pay the Company as much as ever they received from them, and will hold herself accountable to our Government or our Courts for all her acts, there can be no objection to restoring her to her rights – She has received no compensation, not withstanding the Court of Directors orders, -- Should you view the subject in the light I do, I shall be most happy to afford my personal aid in concluding with the Beebe, (or if necessary making a survey of the Islands themselves) any arrangement that would be most acceptable to Govt for, I am convinced the Old Lady would come into any terms to regain possession of her islands. "

A local ruler standing up for her rights in the face of the largest multinational existing at that time.

Regards

Nick

[kronik]

Nick, thank you for your efforts.

meanwhile.....

Uttaranchal declares Badrinath as no construction zone

Uttaranchal has declared the Badrinath Shrine area a no construction zone following reports of encroachment due to illegal construction activity in the region.

Cradled between the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan, Badrinath is regarded as one of the four holiest of India’s four main Hindu shrines. Located along the left bank of the River Alaknanda with the splendid Neelkanth Mountains in the backdrop, the Shrine is an important destination for every devout Hindu.

But now indiscriminate and unplanned construction has robbed the shrine of its charm, and devotees feel that proper action should be taken to take stock of the situation.

“Tourists from India and abroad come in large numbers to visit the temple. The government will have to improve the situation and control the widespread encroachment here. If authorities do not take this matter seriously, then it will be problematic in the future,” said Chandra Prakash Ravani, a priest.

Temple authorities also feel that the matter should be looked into with the utmost priority. They said tourism was boosting the revenues of the state and Badrinath was a contributory element, however, drawbacks posed by the excessive tourist inflows should also be looked into properly.

I think the char dham of Uttaranchal need a set-up like the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine committee.

[Babji]

Hyderabad Heritage Structures
-----------------------------
http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:...s&ct=clnk&cd=7

HUDA has identified 137 Heritage structures in Hyderabad.

a few other structures have been dropped from list,
as demanded by owenrs and community leaders. (democracy, right?)

HUDA is considering several options to provide financial assistance,
property tax exemptions, reimbursement of annual maintenances expenses
etc for some of these structures owned by individuals.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
S#.========== NAME OF BUILDING========= LOCATION ====== GRADE
(1)=========== (2) ====================== (3) =========== (4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Parsi Dharmasala Paradise, == Secunderabad New 66.============== I
2 Clock Tower, == Secunderabad Near Garden Restaurant, Secunderabad. I
3 Amberpet Burj == Amberpet, == 2-2-361 ======================= I
4 Nizamia Observatory == Panjagutta, == 7-1-78 ================== I
5 Clock Tower, == Sultan Bazar Sultan Bazar ===================== I
6 Gate Portion, == Dewan Devdi Two Gates One Opp. Madina Building &
One along Chatta Bazar Road, 22-7-250 & 297. =================== I
7 Kaman Chatta Bazar == Chatta Bazar, == Bes. 22-8-332 =========== I
8 Charkaman/Machlikaman/Kalikaman/ Sher-E-Batil-Ki-Kaman ==
Gulzar House, Bes.21-2-237/1 == Gulzar House, Bes.21-2-66 ==
Gulzar House, 22-6-2/7 == Gulzar House, 21-7-218 ================= I
9 Gate Portion == Shahi Jilu Khana == Lad Bazar, 20-4-1113/1 ========= I
10 Aliabad Sarai Aliabad Both Sides = 20-6-620 to 660 & 23-5-1 ====== = I
11 Puranapul Bridge == Puranapul betweem 13-3-35 & 21-5-40 ========= I
12 Gate Portion of Devdi == Akram Ali Khan Karwan road ============== I
13 Gate Portion of Dargah, == Nooruddin Shah Ancient Gateway, Kukatpally.
Darussalam Road, Bes.5-5-197/1. Kukatpally. ====================== I
14 Osmania Arts College == Osmania University ==================== I
15 Malwala Palace, == Main Courtyard. Secondary Courtyard and
Residential quarters. Near Charminar 23-1-100. ==================== I
16 Pavilion in Bhagwandas Garden == Karawan ===================== I
17 I. Prakash Building == Shivajinagar new 529 ===================== I
18 Manjli Begum ki Haveli == Shali Banda road ====================== I
19 Mushk Mahal == Attapur==================================== I
20 Allauddin’s Building == Begumpet ============================= I
21 Devdi Mehdi Nawaj Jung == Banjara Hills ======================= I
22 Gandhi Medical College == Bashir Bagh ========================= I
23 Golden Threshold == Nampally Station Road new 6 ================ I
24 Ameen Manzil == Saidabad ================================= I
25 Spanish Mosque (Jama Masjid) == Begumpet ================== II-A
26 St. Mary’s Cathedral == Secunderabad ====================== II-A
27 St. John’s Church == East Marredpally ====================== II-A
28 Sitaram Bagh Temple == Sitaram Bagh Road, 13-1-1 ============ II-A
29 Jhamsingh Temple (Gate Portion)/ Mosque / (Near Jhamsingh Temple) /
Jhamsingh Area, Gudumalkapur) ============================== II-A
30 Public Garden Mosque == (Osmania Mosque) Public Garden ======= II-A
31 St. George’s Church == Abids ============================= II-A
32 Jama Masjid == Charminar, Bes.22-5-26 ===================== II-A
33 Darush Shifa & Mosque ==Darush shifa, Bes.22-8-361 =========== II-A
34 Air and Land Warfare Bldg. == Secunderabad ================= II-A
35 Chow Mahalla (Main Palace) == Khilwat ===================== II-B
(Except Afzal Mahal Building which will remain in Gr.I)
36 Dargah Yousufain == Nampally ============================= II-B
37 Afzal Gunj Mosque == Afzal Gunj, Bes.15-6-93/1 =============== II-B
38 Dargah Hazrath Shujauddin Idi Bazar ======================== II-B
39 Moghulpura Tombs == Moghulpura, Bes.23-1-8461 ============== II-B
40 Dargah Syed Shah Mir == Mahmood Wali == Himayat Sagar Road,
Over looking Mir Alam Tank ================================= II-B
41 Qila Kohna & Mosque == Saroornagar ======================= II-B
42 Clock Tower & Police Station, == James Street. James Street,SEC == II-B
43 Hyderabad Public School == Begumpet, 1-11-88 ============== II-B
44 Paigah Palace (Vikhar-ul-Umra palace) Begumpet ============== II-B
45 Vikhar Manzil == Prakashamnagar, 1-8-507, (Res.part) ========== II-B
46 Devdi Nazir Nawaz Jung, == Patigadda Colony Sec-bad. ========= II-B
47 Erram Manzil == Punjagutta ============================== II-B
48 King Koti Complexes == Hospital == Nazri Bagh == King Koti======= II-B
49 Residency Complex == Sultan Bazar ======================== II-B
50 Mahbub Mansion == Malakpet ============================ II-B
51 Asmangarh Palace == Dilsukhnagar Road, 16-2-741 ============ II-B
52 Purani Haveli Complex Purani Haveli, Bes.22-3-947============= II-B
53 Shahi Khilwat Khana Khilwat =============================II-B
54 Baradari of Nawab Khursheed Jah Bahadur Shah Gunj,20-3-1060 ==II-B
55 Falaknuma Palace (Main Palace)/Other Palaces == Falaknuma ==== II-B
56 Devdi Iqbal-ud-doula (Shah Gunj)== Shah Gunj, 2-3-1132 ====== II-B
57 Victoria Memorial Orphanage == Saroornagar ================ II-B
58 Bella Vista (Admin Staff College) Raj Bhavan Road, 6-3-644 ===== II-B
59 Dhanrajgirji Complex == Panmandi Gyanbagh ================= II-B
60 Nizam College == Gunfoundry, New 77 ===================== II-B
61 Osmania General Hospital == Afzal Gunj ==================== II-B
62 City College == City College Road ========================= II-B
63 Director of Indusries == Chirag Ali Lane ===================== II-B
64 Princess Esin Women’s Educational Centre Purani Haveli, 22-3-643== II-B
65 Monty’s Hotel == Park Lane, New 98 ======================== II-B
66 Jubilee Hall == Public Garden ============================== II-B
67 E.N.T. Hospital == Sultan Bazar =========================== II-B
68 State Central Library == Afzalgunj, 15-1-582 ================== II-B
69 State Archaeological Museum == Public Garden ================ II-B
70 Lady Hyderi Club == Basheer Bagh, New 10 =================== II-B
71 Moazam Jahi Market == Jam Bagh ========================= II-B
72 Aiwan-E-ali == Moti Galli, 20-4-214 ======================== II-B
73 Victoria Maternity Hospital Asaf jahi Road (Near High Court) ====== II-B
74 High Court == Asaf Jahi Road ============================= II-B
75 Government Unani Hospital == Charminar, 23-1-1 ============== II-B
76 Vilayath Manzil == Begumpet Railway Station ================= II-B
77 Andhra Pathrika == Bashir Bagh, New 28 ===================== II-B
78 Homeopathic Hospital == Mahboob Chowk, 20-4-223 ============ II-B
79 Sardar Mahal == Near Charminar =========================== II-B
80 Nizam Club == Public Garden Road ========================== II-B
81 Devdi Asmanjah == Shah Gunj ============================= III
82 Tomb Fakhrul Mulk == Snathnagar Road ====================== III
83 Vijay Marie Church == A.C.Guards ========================== III
84 Puranmal Samadhi == Sitaram Bagh Road, Bes.13-1-1/5 ========== III
85 St. Joseph’s Cathedral == Gunfoundry ======================= III
86 Parsi Fire Temple == Tilak Road, No.4-1-884 ================== III
87 Mahbub Chowk Mosque == Mahbub Chowk, Bes.No.20-4-857 ====== III
88 Azha Khana-e-Zahra == Darush Shifa ======================= III
89 Maharaja Chandulal Temple == Alwal ======================== III
90 Kishan Bagh Temple == Bahadurpura ======================== III
91 Clock Tower, == Fateh Maidan Public Garden ================== III
92 Clock Tower, == Mahbub Chowk Mahabub Chowk, 20-4-857-1052 === III
93 Gate Portion, == Shamraj Bahadur Shalibanda Road, 23-6-918====== III
94 Ritz Hotel Near Adarshnagar, == New 149 ===================== III
95 D. Lakshmaiah’s Residence Shivajinagar, == Near Monda Market,8-1-54 III
96 D.Pentaiah’s Residence Shivajinagar, 7-2-574 ================== III
97 Lakshmi Paper Mart’s Bldg. James Street, New 34 =============== III
98 Mohanlal Malani’s Res. James Street ========================= III
99 Raza Ali Bungalow Opp. Thaggi Jail, Near Fever Hospital,3-1-803 === III
100 Nanu Bhai G.Shah’s Building Sultan Bazar, 4-4-201 ============= III
101 Raja Bhagwandas Building Sultan Bazar, 4-4-125/3 ============= III
102 Façade Baitul Ghouse Moazamjahi Market, 5-2-1019 ============ III
103 Façade Hifazath Hussain Opp. Osman Gunj ================== III
104 Goshamahal Baradari Palace Goshamahal Stadium, == 5-3-279===== III
105 Jawahar Bal Bhavan == Public Garden ======================= III
106 Prem Chand’s Residence Sardar Patel Road, New 57 ============= III
107 Shyam Rao Chungi’s Residence Padmaraonagar, 6-1-103/1109===== III
108 Dilkusha Guest House Raj Bhavan Road ====================== III
109 College of Nursing Raj Bhavan Road ========================= III
110 Yousuf Tekhri Toli Chowki Road ============================ III
111 Khusroo Manzil A.C.Guards =============================== III
112 Devdi Ranachand & Ahotichand Mehdipatnam, 10-3-14 ========== III
113 Asman Mahal Lakdi-ka-pool ============================== III
114 Baitul Ashraf Near Niloufar Hospital 11-4-654/3 ================ III
115 Devdi Bansilal Begumbazar, 14-1-370 ======================= III
116 Devdi Imaad Jung Bahadur Gunfoundry ======================= III
117 Panj Mahalla (Lingampally) Lingampally, 3-4-355 ================ III
118 Parawarish Bagh Lingampally, 3-4-306 ======================= III
119 Adil Alan Mansion Nampally Railway Stn. Road, 5-8-91 =========== III
120 Central Bank Building Bank Street, Koti ======================= III
121 Mini Bal Bhavan Public Garden ============================= III
122 Ali Manzil Public Garden, 5-9-87 =========================== III
123 Taj Mahal Hotel (Old Block) Abids ========================== III
124 Ravi Bar Troop Bazar, New 40 ============================= III
125 Hyd Central Building Division’s Office Mozam Jahi Market Rd, 5-5-406 III
126 Roshan Manzil Opp. Rabhindra Bharathi, 5-9-7/1/1 ============== III
127 Central Co-op. Training College Nizam College Road,New 78 ======= III
128 Mahboobia Girls High School & Junior College Madras-E-Aliya
Gunfoundry, New 66 Gunfroundry, New 66 ====================== III
129 Reddy Hostel Abids ==================================== III
130 Mahal Wanaparthi Jambagh Road ========================== III
131 Baquer Bagh Saidabad ================================== III
132 Devdi Nawab Shamsheer Jung Yakutpura, 17-3-554 ============ III
133 Devdi Maharaja Kishan Pershad Bahadur Shalibanda Road, Charminar, 23-6-17 III
134 A.Majeed Khan’s Residence Purani Haveli =================== III
135 Old M.C.H. Office Darush Shifa, StreetNo.13,D.No.4 & 1247.====== III
136 Greenlands Guest House ==Raj Bhavan Road ================= III
137 Raj Bhavan Old Building ==Raj Bhavan Road ================== III
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 Heritage Precincts
------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Hillocks around Durgam Cheruvu lake: Rock formations on hillocks around Durgam Cheruvu situated behind Jubilee Hills Co-op. House Building Society.

2. Rock Park: Hillock behind Dargah Hussain Shah Wali Cheruvu, accessible from Old Bombay Road & Khajaguda road, R.R.Dist., Sy.No.246, Manikonda Jagir.

3. “Bear’s Nose” : Situated in the area covered by Shilparamam Crafts village in Sy.No.64, Madhapur.

4. “Mushroom” Rock: Situated in the South Eastern Part of the campus of Hyderabad University, Sy.No.25, Gachibowli, Serilingampalli Mandal, R.R.Dist.

5. “Cliff Rock” : Situated between Road No.46 & 45, Jubilee Hills Co-op. Society, Sy.No. 120/403/1, Shaikpet (Jubilee Hills Colony), Hyd. Dist.

6. “Monster Rock”: Between Jubilee Hills Society’s Road No.70 & Road No.71 (near Filmnagar) and Journalists’ Colony, situated behind Plot No.77, Jubilee Hills.

7. “Tortoise” Rock: Rock Formation in Nandi Hills and B.N.Reddy Colony Near Jubilee Hills Society with road leading around it on both sides Sy.No.5/1, Raidurg Panmakhta, R.R.Dist.

8. “Toadstool” : End of Road No.35 of Jubilee Hills Colony, next to Blue Cross Compound.

9. “Obelisk”: Road No.66 in Jubilee Hills Society in front of Plot No.1326 on footpath.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://asi.nic.in/writereaddata/sublinkimages/93.htm

ASI Heritage Buildings

78. Charminar Hyderabad
79. Golkonda Fort, Fortifications Hyderabad
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Please follow this link to have a glimpse at some of the monuments!

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread...4&page=1&pp=20

[Babji]

INTACH Hyderabad Chapter is looking for sponsorers to adopt heritage projects

http://intach.ap.nic.in/projects.htm



Nizamia Observatory (established in 1908), Hyderabad

[Babji]

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/...1402070100.htm

ENDANGERED HERITAGE STRUCTURES

Lack of coordination between Government departments, greed of land sharks and insensitivity of people are some of the reasons for disappearance of heritage structures.

Gali Meda (Hawa Mahal)




Visakha Tajmahal ========== Dutch Cemetry (Visakhapatnem-Bhimli))

[kronik]

From Times of India ePaper.

Now, ASI hammer swings into action

By Ambika Pandit/TNN

City Wall of Shahjahanabad — that runs along the Old Court near ISBT — was freed of unauthorised constructions that had sprung up clinging the bastion.

After MCD, now it is the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) that is out on a demolition drive. Encroachments in and around 12 other monuments are on the hit list. The action carried out in pursuance of a Delhi High Court directive on monuments, however, did witness some tension.

By the end of the day, around 20 illegal structures were brought down.

After the court’s direction to remove all encroachments in monuments in connection with a PIL filed by Heritage and Culture Forum, the ASI had first taken action at Lal Gumbad in Chirag Dilli. After demolition at the 17th century City Wall, the ASI will now move to the Lothian Cemetery.

The ASI chose sleepy Sunday to take on the encroachers in the City Wall as the crowds, characteristic of area on a week day, was missing. The temporary shops and structures aligning the Nicholson Road that runs along the City Wall have also been cleared.

The illegal structures had come up behind the Old Court around a set of quarters that are old dressed stone structures.

As the bulldozer went about demolishing the constructions around the quarters located in what is referred to Old Court Compound, Firdaus Begum, a resident, was distraught as she sat in the heat with her household scattered around. Firdaus pointed that she had been living there since 45 years. She revealed that her husband worked as a peon in the Old Court. She claimed that her husband and three other families were allotted the quarters by the authorities. To this, senior ASI official on the spot said that these quarters were not protected by the ASI, but since they are made of dressed stone and look like old heritage structures, the occupants were made to vacate them. On the issue of allotments, the official said that the residents would have to approach the government.

One of modern India's biggest failures has been lack of public housing, and such news only corroborate that sad fact.

[kronik]

Uttarkashi's centuries old monument in dire condition

There was a time when Naru-Vijula Bhawan, a three centuries old monument, in Uttarkashi, captivated a lot of art lovers from various parts of the country to watch its magnificence. But due to utter negligence of authorities the historical monument is in dilapidated state.

Situated near the district headquarters in village Tiloth, the antique Naru-Vijula Bhawan, is one of the finest examples of classic monuments, standing erect even after being hit by several earthquakes in Uttarkashi.

The ancient Bhawan which depicts the craftsmanship and artistry of the old times, is now in shambles.

The locals feel that the historical monument can be a major tourist attraction, provided the government and tourism department pay due attention towards the Bhawan.

The Naru- Vijula Bhawan was named after the famous brothers--Narendra Dev Singh Gusaee and Vijendra Dev Gusaee-- who were the kings of Tiloth. Popularly known as Naru and Vijula, their tales of bravery are still recalled by the villagers.

Legend has it that the antique Bhawan is also associated with the romantic tales of Naru and Vijula Kings who fought with thousands of soldiers from other village to achieve their ladylove. The natives here believe that the brothers had some supernatural powers.

"I have sent an appeal to the authorities to support us financially. Once the distorted Bhawan is renovated, it will come up as a big tourist spot," said Dinesh Unniyal, President, village Tiloth.

I am tired off making efforts. I just want that the government should pay attention towards all such places and develop them so that tourism flourishes here and the gross earnings of the village also grow. This will in turn help in the progress of the village," Unniyal added.

[kronik]

its about time!

Govt to spruce up Taj ambience

It is an attempt to encase old world charm with a modern touch. The centrepiece of the plot - the Taj Mahal - in its pristine beauty will be surrounded by pedestrian walkways, landscaped lawns, fairy lights along with battery run eco-friendly buses and informative signages.

The ministry of tourism and culture has chalked out an ambitious Rs 40-crore plan to refurbish the Taj Mahal's surrounding areas and Agra city. There are good reasons to do so.

With 10,000 tourists visiting the world heritage site daily, a number that increases to 25,000-30,000 during weekends and holidays, the Taj Mahal is indisputably India's biggest draw.

While the monument itself is one of the best maintained properties in the country, its surroundings are a mess. Tourists are often welcomed by persistent touts, beggars, hawkers, open garbage dumps and endless queues. A channel next to the monument is virtually a drain.

Now there is an effort to change that with a detailed project report prepared by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) executive director R K Safya.

The report envisages sprucing up surroundings, improving linkages between Taj Mahal and airport/railway station, creating parking spaces and aesthetically designed shops and plazas.

The proposal has been presented to tourism minister Ambika Soni, who visited Agra on Sunday for an inspection. "Agra is the only city in the country that has three world heritage sites. But not many people stay beyond visiting the Taj.

Taj itself is plagued with many problems and we have received several complaints. We plan to provide drinking water, clean toilets, disabled-friendly access and the right ambience," Soni said.

Amongst the high priority projects that have been identified so far are constructing a new link road between NH- 2 and the river front at Agra Fort, decongestion of the existing link and widening a 30 m road from the railway station to J P Crossing into a six-lane carriageway.

Construction of a railway underpass on Fatehpur Sikri level crossing is also on the anvil.

Plans for modernisation and improvement at the Taj Mahal's access points include redesigning the parking area at West Gate, landscaping a rose garden that would be the approach road for the Taj instead of being ridden with hawkers.

At the East Gate, Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has already set up a shopping plaza, Shilpgram, that will be improved besides covering a nullah near East Gate.

The project also recommends purchase of 10 battery-run buses and underground electric cabling for aesthetic purposes. The minister visited Sikandra, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and Taj Mahal in her day-long visit to the city.

She was accompanied by officials from the ASI including its director-general C Babu Rajeev and ministry officials like joint secretary Amitabh Kant.

A decision on the time-frame for the proposal and fine print will be discussed in subsequent meetings later this week.

[IndiansUnite]

Via HT Dehi June 16

[shockw4ve]

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/rs-5cr-f...a/12466-3.html

Rs 5-cr facelift for Gateway of India



Mumbai: The controversial project to refurbish Mumbai's most famous landmark, Gateway of India, is reaching home base.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has cleared the Rs 5 crore-project and it will now be a matter of months before Mumbaikars and tourists can enjoy the all-new Gateway of India.

"It is a good idea. This place needs to be cleaned once there's more space, it’ll be easy to go inside," a tourist from Kuwait says.

About three lakh tourists visit the 90-year-old monument everyday and they are waiting eagerly for the long pending makeover.

"The plan is very nice and it is a welcome change. There is too much noise and traffic here. It should be made like India Gate in Delhi," a tourist from Faridabad says.

The project aimed at revamping the three-acre spread around the monument is to be executed through the municipal corporation and Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

After the initial design by architect Charles Correa was turned down due to technicalities, changes in plans thereafter continued to stall the transformation of this landmark into a more tourist-friendly space.

However, heritage activist P K Das who is also the chief architect for the city's waterfront redevelopment is disappointed with the delay.

"The new heritage committee has again demanded new changes. This is a very negative kind of approach for implementation of projects in the city. It just speaks of how our system often causes problems for executing such important city plans," Das says.

However, an approval from the state government has set the ball rolling and once the civic body sanctions its final restoration budget and design, tourists and Mumbaikars can look forward to a new Gateway of India in a few months.

[Cov Boy]

These projects are all great for India esp. Taj Mahal and New Delhi & Mumbai. I always thought the Gatway of India needed restoration as well as re-designing the area to make if more friendly for tourists.

[p2p4]

At the expense of being branded a 'nationalist', I'd have been very, extremely happy, if the Govt. of Maharashtra had taken steps to spruce up at least some of the forts around Mumbai (Raigad / Sion / Worli etc).

It is too sad to see that the word and action of heritage conservation is applicable only to Victorian / colonial monuments; whereas our own 'MOTS' (monuments of the soil) are in a total guttorial neglect.

Sad .. very sad !

Originally Posted by Cov Boy

These projects are all great for India esp. Taj Mahal and New Delhi & Mumbai. I always thought the Gatway of India needed restoration as well as re-designing the area to make if more friendly for tourists.

[kronik]

Hampi monuments off endangered list

Unesco's World Heritage Committee on Monday decided to remove a group of monuments in Hampi and Cologne’s famed cathedral from a list of endangered sites after conditions there had improved.

The decision to take the Virupaksha temple and its precincts off the endangered list came after the Karnataka government took measures to protect the monuments.

The bridge from Anegundi that a Unesco team had objected to has been shifted to about 6 km downstream of the Tungabhadra river.

[Cov Boy]

I agree with you p2p4!

All heritage buildings in my opinion should be restored, spruced up & repaired all round India.

To see the sorry state of some buildings around the country is sad and wish for more can be done before its all gone.

[kronik]

Not monuments, but rare manuscripts.

To save rare, old books

Kolkata: For years, rare and priceless books such as The Works of William Jones (1799) and The Tagore Family by James W. Furrell (1892) lay in a tattered condition at the library of the Raj Bhavan, the Governor's residence in Kolkata.

All that maybe part of history now with Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee inaugurating the digitisation project of the Raj Bhavan Library and Record Room here on Tuesday. Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi was present.

Efforts to restore the books took place over the last few months, with extensive curative and scientific conservation undertaken by a Raj Bhavan team with the assistance of the National Library, the State Archives of West Bengal, the National Archives of India and the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library of Patna.

Scholars will be allowed regulated access to the 7,000-odd books and 16,000 files. Many of these documents date back to the pre-Independence era and some of them have been part of the personal collection of past Governors.

A copy of the Quran, hand-scripted in Arabic in 1783-84 A.D., and a copy of Kimia-e-Sadaat, by 10th century Islamic philosopher Abu Hamid-a-Ghazali were in such pitiable condition that the Khuda Bakhsh Library in Patna had to be roped in to restore them.

[DeMorgan]

Hello,

Since posting material on the Mahratta Forts thread, I have been very pleased to receive a great many photos of the fort from Mr Shridatta Raut and a group of fellow enthusiasts who are working to restore and explain the fort to local groups of children, students and visitors.

They are running monthly mohims as part of a Vasai Fort Conservation & Awareness Program.

On the 4th of June 2006 more than 35 participants joined in.
They worked together as a group in a “Cleanliness Drive”.



Mr.Shridatta explained the historic importance of the fort & presented them with some documents, photos, letters etc.



Then the group got down to cleaning up litter and removing young tree saplings and bushes from walls.

The following photo shows a group member at the base of one of the stairs up to the rampants. The ramps enabled soldiers to pull small cannon onto the walls.



I hope that any Skyscrapercity members near Vasai who are interested in forts will join in helping this group. Mr Shridatta Raut can be contacted at shrijit_solo@yahoo.com

Regards

Nick

[IndiansUnite]

Via HT Delhi Oct6

[Hindustani]

Source: Expressindia.com

High Court Gives 18 Months Approval for Jama Masjid Restoration

New Delhi, October 6: Within 18 months, the historic Jama Masjid will be restored to its original glory, as the Delhi High Court today fixed the deadline for its redevelopment.

A day after the Special Bench headed by acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain saw the powerpoint presentation on the plan to redevelop the monument, a slew of directions were passed to ensure timely completion of the project.

At the same time, the mosque’s Shahi Imam today assured the court that there would not be any further unauthorised construction inside the Jama Masjid.

The matter will next be heard on November 17.

the Court also appointed MCD Deputy Commissioner (city zone) Vijay Singh as the nodal officer for the implementation of the redevelopment project. the court directed that he continue to retain the post till may 2008, to avoid any delays in the project.

Also, the Delhi government is to appoint a special purpose vehicle based on private-public partnership between the authorities, government and stakeholders.

[kronik]

from ePaper of ToI. No link.

Nicholson’s cemetery: Status no longer grave

Second-Oldest Graveyard Restored, Dates Back To the First War of Independence

Richi Verma | TNN

Not very far from Kashmere Gate, the graves here were in ruins, hidden behind tall grass, thick bushes and overgrown trees, providing the perfect hideout for drug addicts and local goons. But that was the picture of Nicholson’s cemetery — the second oldest in the city having several colonial-era graves — about two years ago.

Fast forward to present day, and you’ll find two gazebos on either end of the cemetery, benches put up for visitors, and a neat pathway created around the graves — thanks to a private initiative in collaboration with the British High Commission. About Rs 5 lakh has been spent on restoration work so far, and there are more plans to give the cemetery its rightful place in history.

It may be just a burial ground, but its history is entwined with the First War of Independence. To start with, it derives its name from a British general, John Nicholson, who led a troop against the sepoys in 1857. The general was fatally wounded in the battle at Kashmere Gate and was buried here. The cemetery was later named after him, and is said to be the second oldest after the 18th-century Lothian cemetery, also at Kashmere Gate.

A number of British soldiers who died during the siege of Delhi in 1857 were buried here. The earliest grave — that of Nicholson — dates back to September 23, 1857. Looking around, you’ll also find tombs of civilians who lived over a 100 years ago. There are about 5,000 graves of British nationals here.

About two years back, even spotting a grave here was a difficult task. Most of them lay in a shambles and hidden behind thick shrubs and overgrown trees. The place had become a haven for criminals and drug addicts who easily scaled the boundary wall and entered the cemetery. Monkeys and labourers living near the cemetery added to the chaotic conditions.

It was then that a private firm, Group 4 Securico, took up the task of renovating the cemetery in association with the British High Commission.

Said Lt Col A S Yadav, an official of the firm, ‘‘We faced a major problem in controlling the wild undergrowth as it needed constant trimming. We had to clear the undergrowth about three to four times.’’

Once the wild growth was tamed, a pathway was created around the cemetery, and two gazebos and benches were put up for visitors.

Later, the living quarters of cemetery workers were repaired and structures like verandas, kitchens and toilets were added. New trees and shrubs were also planted in the cemetery. Now, the private firm plans to raise the height of the boundary wall and add a wire mesh to keep out trouble-makers.

[Jai]

HS, I didn't see that article on Jama Masjid. Plans look good! The gardens should make for a beautiful sight

On PM’s Tokyo list, Rs 5500-cr Buddhist infrastructure upgrade

CITHARA PAUL
Posted online: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 0000 hrs Print Email
Holy places in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to benefit most with new roads, airports, tourist centres proposed


Bodh Gaya in Bihar: on revamp list

New Delhi, December 12: The tourism sector in India is waiting eagerly for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Japan, starting tomorrow, with details of treaties involving Japanese investment worth Rs 5,570 crore likely to be finalised during his four-day stay.

The pacts would be part of the larger joint declaration to celebrate 2007 as the India-Japan Friendship and Exchange Year. The treaties come at a time when the inflow of Japanese tourists into India has been seeing a steady rise, growing 28% over the past two years, according to the Tourism Ministry.

The proposed projects will mainly cover Buddhist sites for infrastructure development with Japanese aid through next year. The Rs 5,570 crore fund will pay for works such as building roads, airports, tourist facilities and conservation in specified regions.

Buddhist holy places in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Himachal pradesh, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir are likely to benefit.

The two countries are also working on an eight-point plan to boost tourism, which includes preferential treatment in issuing visas, more direct flights and joint tourism promotions.

“Japan has a strong presence in the Indian tourism sector and we are expecting to double the Japanese impact in next three years,’’ said a senior ministry official.

There is more for the Buddhist circuit, covering Sarnath, Kushinagar, Piprawaha and Saraswathy in UP, and Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Rajgir and Vaishali in Bihar.

The Phase II of these projects, ending in 2012, will be providing Rs 680 crore for a period of seven years. Works include widening of highways, roadside plantations, conservation of monuments, construction of visitor and meditation centres, and power and water supply to Buddhist sites.

Japan will is also extend support to the Phase II of the Ajanta Ellora Conservation and Tourism Infrastructure Development Project. The places being covered by this project include Aurangabad, Daulatabad, Lonar, Nasik, Pune and Elephenta caves, apart from Ajanta and Ellora.