An edited version of - UNAPPRECIATED!!!

 

An edited version of - UNAPPRECIATED!!! 

(Alterations/ addition done in editing the earlier  post are in block italics)

UNAPPRECIATED - Archaeological Survey of India. aka ASI.

 By and large workings of Government Departments are thought of as being inefficient. And not without reasons.

That is because the file pushing baubus are not accountable and answerable to anybody for their inefficient ways. Even in and when called to do so they have left sufficient loopholes in rules made by themselves, to wriggle out of the tightest spot. 

We are extremely lucky that there are still very very few Government Departments that stand out for doing their work efficiently and excellently.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is one such organisation. 

Recently we visited Mandu or Mandavgad. 

Mandu is an ancient city in the present-day Mandav area of the Dhar district. It is located in the Malwa and Nimar region of western Madhya Pradesh. In the 11th century, Mandu was the subdivision of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom. This fortress town on a rocky outcrop about 100 km (62 mi) from Indore is celebrated for its architecture.

Department Tourism Government of Madhya Pradesh has been doing good work to bring Mandu on the tourist map of India and the world with some success.

All the monuments of Mandu have suffered as much through the ravages of time as by plunder, theft of building material, encroachment and careless attitude of the local population.

Archaeological Survey Of India is doing excellent work of restoration of the ancient monuments. 

It is to the great credit of ASI that detailed research is done before undertaking restoration work. As a result of research and dedication, even the mortar and plaster used in restoration is being made the way it was done all those centuries ago. Using good (jaggery), lime and other binding material.

A lot of excellent work has been done and is still going on.   

Extensive restoration work near Dilawar Khan's Mosque.(Pl.see in zoom)

Extensive restoration work near Dilawar Khan's Mosque.(Pl.see in zoom)

Extensive restoration work near Dilawar Khan's Mosque.(Pl.see in zoom)

wonderful job of restoration this dalan corridor of huge and tall ogee arches of Hindola Mahal.

Wish could go back after a few years to see the results. 

Not only Mandu, but ASI has also done restoration work 0n  our heritage monuments around Delhi, like Humayun Tomb and gardens, Lodi Garden housing   Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, Shisha Gumbad and Bara Gumbad, Monuments near Kutub Minar. There may be hundreds and hundreds more all around India.

Unfortunately, I do not have comparative ( before and after) photos to show for all the restoration work done by ASI. However, I will just put up whatever comparative photos I have. 

We had visited Mahabalipuram in 1982, putting  photos we took then photos taken in 2021  taken by my friend Gp Capt Shrish Tatwawadi during his visit to that place.

1982. Descent of the Ganges & Arjuna's penance. 

Sitting on the part of the rock almost halfway up the elephant seen here. The lower Portion of the monument was buried in sand and soil.

2021. Descent of the Ganges & Arjuna's penance. 

After restoration by ASI.

Photo courtesy Gp Capt Shrish Tatwawadi

 

1982. Butterball. The surrounding area was strewn with rocks, boulders big and small. Potholes, crevices etc. It was dangerous and one had to be very careful walking around.

2021. Butterball

After work done by  ASI.

Photo courtesy Gp Capt Shrish Tatwawadi

The Archaeological Survey of India is doing tremendous work in preserving our history, our heritage and our monuments. We should be proud of the work being done by ASI. 

Unfortunately, the work of the Archaeological Survey of India goes 

UNAPPRECIATED!!!

Foreign countries where ASI was called for and has done restoration work.

Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Bahrain, Angola, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan and Egypt.

Kudos to ASI. 

Wish we had more such.

Jai Hind.