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moNumeNTs No UNESCO Heritage status Rumours about the three historic monuments of Hyderabad — Qutub Shahi tombs, Charminar and Golconda Fort — to be inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage sites this year, have proven to be baseless. “The Qutub Shahi monuments of Hyderabad were never in the race for this year’s world heritage tag,” says Gautam Sengupta, director general, Archeological Survey of India (ASI). The three sites have, however, been nominated in the 2013 list. A delegation from UNESCO is to visit Hyderabad in September 2012. This was confirmed by Janwhij Sharma, director, Conservation and World Heritage. The financial year 2010-11 has been good for the business of government-owned monuments in India. The data from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) revealed that revenues from tickets at monuments increased by 12%, earning `87 crore. On top of the list is the Taj Mahal that grossed around 23% of the total earning at about `20 crore, followed by Agra Fort, Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens, Pakistan’s two heritage sites, have come under the media glare, but for the wrong reasons. The heritage sites are being considered as ‘flawed’ restoration projects. There are 21 monuments within the Lahore Fort complex which have marble palaces and mosques ornamented with mosaic and gilt. Shalimar Gardens, located near the fort, has pavilions, ponds and waterfalls. Both sites were inscribed as UNESCO’s World Heritage sites in danger in 2000 and needed immediate repair. However, the cosmetology destroyed the authenticity of the Mughal monuments. At a recent seminar organised by Punjab University’s Department of Archaeology, entitled ‘Heritage Preservation in Pakistan — International Principles and Practices’, the preservation methods were questioned. Tourism therapy Monument revenues Countries that have spent more than a decade in turbulence are now fighting back. Former guerilla camps are now vacation hotspots. Rwanda, for instance, has had a large number of civil wars, genocides, and massacres. The government is now transforming its economy through tourism. Although the wildlife safaris and national parks have remained tourist attractions, the most popular tourist destination is Kigali Memorial Centre where 250,000 people remain buried. It is a memorial for victims of the genocide of 1994. Rwanda also applied for membership for the Commonwealth of Nations in 2007 and 2009 as safe areas for tourists. El Salvador and Bosnia, which were not considered to be the best tourist places after World War II, have become ideal natural retreats with forest trails, countryside walks, lakes and a lively nightlife. But their museums and war memorials are still tourist favourites. Macedonia, which has a rich heritage of almost 3,000 years of history and culture, offers churches, monasteries and fortresses including Marko’s, Skopje’s and Samuel’s that draw a number of visitors. show good growth Nip and tuck woes the earnings of which, however, have declined by 5.5% in April- March 2011. Delhi circuits’ Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb and Red Fort succeeded Agra on third, fourth and fifth top revenue generating ASI monuments. Of the total revenue, 70% came from Professor Rafique Mughal, an expert in preservation and management of monuments at the Archaeology and Heritage Management, Boston University, US, pointed out “ignorant” restoration practices would end only when thorough research is conducted before beginning restoration work. “Restoration requires that relevant institutions introduce laws and rules to govern the preservation of built heritage, its regular inspection and proper funding,” Mughal said. He stressed upon creating awareness about the importance of these sites among the people, whose support may help restoration efforts. Delhi and Agra. Other profit generating historic sites are Mammalapuram in Chennai with `2.76 crore, Khajuraho in Bhopal with `2.6 crore, Sun temple, Konark, in Bhubaneshwar at `2.26 crore, Ajanta and Ellora caves in Aurangabad around `2 crore, Hampi in Bangalore with `1.34 crore and Elephanta Caves in Mumbai around `0.9 crore. Although Rajasthan, receives numerous visitors, it is not included in the ASI list.
TRAVEL NEWS DIGEST · November 2011 moNumeNTs 17 Heritage museum opens in Shimla The Himachal Pradesh government has opened a heritage museum for the public in Shimla. It will display rare and ancient pictures of various heritage buildings and structures of the city. It will also offer a glimpse into the historical facts of the building and monuments. The photographs in the museum have been taken from the Coffee Table Book, ‘Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai’, a project by the state tourism department. “This will help the economy,” Islamic architecture of India has just been immortalised in a film. Art historian and filmmaker Benoy K Behl has attempted this in his new documentary ‘A World of Beauty and Grace — Islamic Architecture of India’. The 31-minute film covers every structure — mosque, tomb, madarsa, palace and fortress in India that bears Islamic architecture and its imprints. The first mosque built in India at Kodungalur in Kerala in 629 AD, Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, Bidar Fort of the 14th and 15th centuries, Mughal masterpieces like Humayun’s Tomb, Fatehpur Arun Sharma, director of tourism, says. “Our objective is to make tourists stay here longer. After looking at the photographs of the heritage buildings in the museum, they will take a visit to the original buildings,” chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal says. Restoring the impressive Municipal Corporation Building is also an agenda for which around `190 million is being allocated. A film on Indian Islamic architecture Sikri, to the 15th century world heritage site of Champaner in Gujarat, Nakhoda Masjid, dargahs in Hajo, Gedu Mia Ki Masjid and other places in the east have all been covered and spoken about in the film. The filmmaker has a place in the Limca Book of Records for having travelled to all corners of India. A year of discoveries and rectification of facts The first half of the year is looking bright for archaeologists and world heritage lovers with significant discoveries being made to open doors for an insight into world history. Two major monuments were recently unearthed at Karnak Temple in Luxor. The first, a wall that once enclosed the New Kingdom temple of the god Ptah. The second is a gate from the reign of 25th dynasty King Shabaka (712-698 BC). Ptolemaic mud brick walls and several engraved blocks were also uncovered from the Ptah temple. The discovery traces the blocks back to the reign of King Tuthmosis III (1479-1425 BC). The construction of this temple was assumed to be of Ptolemaic dynasty, but archaeologists now believe that it started Hyderabad heritage restoration gets grant In the running for nomination for the next Heritage City- Hyderabad monuments will finally get a facelift. The Union ministry of tourism sanctioned an amount of Rs 8 crore for restoration of Charminar and seven other historic monuments in the Old City. They include the Shahi Jilu Khana Darwaza, Diwan Devdi Kaman, Chatta Bazar Kaman, Dabeerpura Darwaza, Maqbara Kalyani Nawab, Purana Pul Darwaza and the Moghulpura Tombs. Renovation will start from the first week of December. Other historic structures like the State Central Library and High Court will be ‘illuminated’ and revamped to emerge as new tourist attractions. The two- century old Charminar police station, will be restored. “The state had sought Rs 12 crore from the central government for the renovation”, a conservation architect working on the project said, “As the funds approved are less than that, we had to exclude some privatelyowned properties from the list.” They include the Iqbal-ud-dowla Devdi, Syed Shah Raju Qattal Tomb, Osmania General Hospital and City College. “We have sent the revised proposal (to fit the budget) to the Centre. Once the funds are sanctioned we will start all the work,” the heritage consultant said. The state tourism department also launched two new heritage walks to mark the World Tourism Day. These are the Charminar and Purani Haveli (via Mir Alam Mandi) and Afzalgunj and River Front. in Egyptian reign. Another significant discovery has been the tomb of St Philip, one of the 12 apostles and first followers of Jesus Christ. It was unearthed in southwestern Turkey at the World Heritage Site of Pamukkale. It was believed that the tomb of St Philip, dating back to 80 AD, was on Martyrs’ hill, but no traces could ever be found there. After intensive excavation, the tomb emerged 40 meters away from the Martyrs’ hill on a fifth century church of the Byzantine era. Experts believe that the grave was moved by the people. Another riveting discovery has been that of the 14th century ancient caravansary and graves in Azerbaijan. The archeological excavations Monuments in solar light Weighed down by hefty electricity bills, the Archaeolo-gical Survey of India (ASI) has decided to go green. It has installed solar energy lamps to illuminate monuments at night. Its better late than never. The solar lights were to be implemented in time for the Commonwealth Games. “Serious efforts are being undertaken in this regard,” ASI Delhi superintending archaeologist, K K Muhammed said. He added green lighting saves energy and controls pollution. The first installation will be at Qutub Minar in Mehrauli, New Delhi. in Sheykh Babi Yagub sepulcher in Babi village cemetery of Fuzuli region have raised questions on previous theories. In the excavations carried out recently six stone box graves dating back to the 14th century were found. These graves were built with special bricks, stones and glazed tiles. They are mainly the graves of warriors. A headless skeleton was found in one and arrow heads and a skeleton were found in another. Soviet historians had studied these historical monuments earlier and declared it as bathhouse. The remains of the monument are being called Sheykh Babi Khanegahi. The research process is a new step in the direction of understanding world heritage.
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