MONUMENTS

Gaur: Monuments under Pillage and Depredation

Subrata Nagchoudhury in The India Today,

29 February, 1996

Salami Darwaza is an imposing gateway which was used for gun salutes during Sultan Barbak Shah's rule (1439 A.D.) at Gaur in West Bengal's Malda town. A y land le prominent Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) notice outside declares it a "protected monument" and warns of nation from it action against any depredation. (Yet) the houses nearby, most of them - even the spanking new ones- have been built from the centuries-old bricks taken from this monument and those around it.

 (The ASI) itself had no option but to purchase bricks from villagers when it wanted to renovate a part of the famous Bara Sona Mosque's entrance. Built by Sultan Nusrat Shah in 1527 A.D., it originally had a gilded dome and hence the name. Gaur, once a flourishing capital of Bengal for several centuries and with 22 historical monuments to show for it, provides a rich hunting ground for rapacious organized gangs. A 10-sq. km area around the monuments with its new houses built from old bricks proof enough of the wanton pillaging. And there is a brazenness about the entire exercise.

The "Lakhauri bricks" of Gaur are known for their quality and strength. The same bricks were used in Delhi during the Sultanate period. The artisans belonged to Lakhauri in Uttar Pradesh and the compact size of the bricks ensured that they were properly made.

The bricks are much in demand. While locals remove them from old monuments, those staying away from the sites have to buy them and the orders must be placed a few days in advance. And there is no dearth of such bricks even in the fields surrounding Gaur enterprising villagers have learnt to be adept at locating sites where a single stroke of the shovel can unearth layers upon layers of bricks. A dealer says that the present rate is Rs. 5 per maund (40 kg). The supply is usually made in bullock carts. Orders come from nearby villages and at times from builders in Malda. Some supplies have been made to places in Bangladesh as well where they are used for renovating or building new mosques. Some connoisseurs from Calcutta are said to have offered to pay Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 for a single enameled brick.

Deputy Superintendent, ASI, Calcutta Circle, does not deny that there is a plunder of bricks (and) blames local politics for the ASI's decision to abandon its renovation work for the past three years. The issue concerned the engaging of laborers having different political affiliations. Last year, conservation work could he resumed only after intervention by the local district. Administration. This being the case, the houses of Gaur will continue to be lined with centuries-old bricks.

 On Gyan Vapi Masjid, Varanasi

"The story regarding Vishwanath Temple is that while Aurangzeb was passing by Varanasi on his way to Bengal the Hindu rajas in his retinue requested that if they have a dip in the Ganges and pay their homage to Lord halt was made for a day their ranis may go to Varanasi, Vishwanath. Aurangzeb readily agreed.

Army pickets were posted on the five-mile route to Varanasi. The ranis made a journey in palkies. They took their dip in the Ganges and went to the Vishwanath Temple to pay their homage. After offering puja all ranis returned except one, the maharani of Kutch. A thorough search was made of the temple precincts but the rani was nowhere to be found. When Aurangzeb came to know of it, he got enraged. He sent senior officers to search for the rani.

Ultimately they found that the statue of Ganesh fixed in the wall was a moveable one. When the statue was moved, they saw a flight of stairs that led to the basement. To their horror, they found the missing rani dishonored and crying. The basement was just beneath Lord Vishwanath's seat. The rajas expressed their vociferous protests. They wanted exemplary action. Aurangzeb ordered that as the sacred precincts had been. despoiled, Lord Vishwanath may be moved to some other place. The temple be razed to the ground and the mahant be arrested and punished.

Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya, in his famous book The on documentary evidence. Dr. P.L. Gupta, former curator Feathers and the Stones has narrated this as a fact based of Patna Museum, has also corroborated this incident."

(Source: The Nation and the World, I February, 1996)

Vijaya Ghose on Protection of Historic Monuments

In New Delhi a hideous temple is built adjoining the rear wall of Purana Qila and like all temples and other places of worship. It continues to grow. Illegal marble shops near Jamali Kamali add to the rape of the ridge. The beautiful arches of Masjid Moth where I live are first of all used as public lavatories by the local people and then the pigs get into the act.

Since we do not seem to care about our precious heritage and profess, we are too impoverished to 'waste' money on old buildings, why not auction all our monuments brick by brick or stone by stone to the highest bidder who will then reassemble the monuments on their shores?

(Source: The Patriot, 1 March, 1996)