Monuments

The statue is located near the Kashmiri Gate in Delhi, where Nicholson died during the 1857 rebellion

Names of 10 geological sites, sent to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for inclusion in the list of world heritage sites, are under scrutiny, the government has said. There are about 100 geo-heritage sites, out of which 32 have been recognised as National Geological Monuments. Unlike archaeological sites, there is no legislation to protect geo-heritage sites. But the Geo Heritage Sites and Geo-relics Bill, 2022, which aims to protect India's geological heritage, is under process, Mines Secretary V L Kantha Rao said. Speaking at an event here, Rao said that there are about 1,200 world heritage sites in the world, out of which 42 are in India and none of these are geological sites. "We need to work together," the secretary said and stressed on the recognition of at least two geoparks in coming years in India, Geological Survey of India (GSI) said in a statement. India, Rao said, has excellent geo-heritage sites like Lunar crater in Maharashtra, Bhedaghat in Madhya Pradesh, ..

The historic Red Fort complex, which was closed for visitors about a week ago due to security reasons in view of a farmers' march, has been reopened, official sources said on Sunday. The iconic Mughal-era monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in old Delhi, was "suddenly sealed" late Monday night "due to security reasons". "It was reopened a couple of days ago," a source at the Archeological Survey of India told PTI. However, the Red Fort is regularly closed for visitors on Mondays, so they will not get entry inside the complex on February 19. The site was temporarily closed amid a massive deployment of police and paramilitary forces in central Delhi in view of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march. Sources said "no order has been officially issued for reopening" of the site, adding, it was closed in accordance with police instructions and accordingly reopened. Thousands of farmers are staying put at the Shambhu and Khanauri points of the Punjab-Haryana border with layers of barricade

A number of old monuments and archaeological sites in the country are "under encroachment", the government informed the Lok Sabha on Monday. Union Minister of Culture G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha. He was asked about the centrally protected monuments and whether any study has been done to assess their present conditions. There are 3,697 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains which have been declared of national importance, Reddy said. "Inspection of monuments and sites is taken up by the Archeological Survey of India's officials/officers from time to time to assess their condition," he said. In his response, he also shared the state-wise numbers of sites which are under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). To a query on whether several ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains are under encroachment, he said, "A number of monuments and sites are under encroachment". "In case of encroachment, complaints a

A parliamentary panel has recommended to the Centre that in the upcoming amendment of the AMASR Act, "strong provisions" may be incorporated for fixing accountability of government officials to ensure necessary steps are taken timely for tackling encroachment of centrally protected monuments. The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, in its report, has also strongly recommended that provisions to "empower the local bodies for the protection of historical monuments" and to make them accountable may be incorporated in the amendment of the AMASR Act that is being worked upon by the Culture Ministry. 'Three Hundred Sixty Third Report on the Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations/ observations of the Committee contained in its Three Hundred Twenty-Fourth Report' on 'Issues relating to Untraceable Monuments and Protection of Monuments in India', was presented in both Houses last week. The sites under the Archaeological Survey

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking a direction to declare the 'Ram Sethu' as a national monument. 'Ram Sethu', also known as Adam's bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban Island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. The plea, which was also seeking direction for construction of a wall at the site, came up for hearing before a bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia. The plea was filed by the Hindu Personal Law Board, through its president Ashok Pandey.

Two Chinese workers were arrested for piercing the Great Wall of China for making a shortcut

The total revenue earned from centrally-protected ticketed monuments in India in the financial year 2022-23 stood at Rs 252.85 crore, the government informed Parliament on Monday. In a written response in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of Culture G Kishan Reddy said the total revenue earned from centrally-protected ticketed monuments in the financial year 2020-21 stood at Rs 48.30 crore, which grew to Rs 101.50 crore in 2021-22 and Rs 252.85 crore in 2022-23. The minister was asked monument-wise and year-wise details of the amount collected through the sale of entry tickets of monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India and the amount spent in their conservation during the last ten years. In response to a separate query, Reddy said the ASI annually undertakes special nature of conservation, preservation and environmental development of about 600-700 monuments out of its 3,696 monuments or sites across the country. On a query on preservation of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in .

Every year around 600-700 monuments are identified for taking up structural repairs of special nature on the basis of assessment made at field level, the government informed Parliament on Monday. Union Minister for Culture G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha. "Every year around 600-700 monuments are identified for taking up structural repairs of special nature on the basis of assessment made at field level. A conservation programme is drawn up after proper identification of items of work and adequate funds provided to carry out the specified works," he said. This is a yearly process and takes care of both short-term and long-term projects, the minister said.

The total fund allocation in the current financial year for the restoration and conservation of centrally-protected monuments, including religious ones, in Uttar Pradesh is Rs 53.60 crore, the government informed Parliament on Monday. Union Minister for Culture G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a query in Lok Sabha. There are 743 centrally-protected monuments under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Uttar Pradesh, the minister said in his response to a query on the steps taken by the government for the protection and restoration of historical and religious monuments during the last three years in the state. The ASI takes up the conservation and maintenance works of monuments as per their requirements and within available resources, he said. Further, private security guards and CISF staff have been deployed at monuments for security and protection, he said, adding, "If any encroachment is noticed, legal action is initiated against the violat

Domestic visitors to top 5 sites 11-33% lower in FY23 than in FY19, foreign arrivals see 50-80% dip

The narrative tends to veer towards Tagore and intangible wealth, while the criteria focuses on tangible elements

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Saturday visited the Mehrauli archaeological park and directed officials to prepare a plan for the restoration of monuments such as the Balban tomb, the Jamali-Kamali mosque and the Rajaon ki Baoli. The plan, he said, should be made at the earliest with fixed timelines for the works to be done under it, according to officials. Saxena, who was accompanied by Union Minister of State for Culture Meenakshi Lekhi and Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, also issued directions to sort out scattered carved stones and relics at the park to be displayed at a museum, they said. The park in Mehrauli also houses the iconic Qutub Minar, besides the Balban tomb, the Jamali-Kamali mosque and the Rajaon ki Baoli. "The restoration and beautification of these places has to be done in coordination by the ASI (Archeological Survey of India), the DDA (Delhi Development Authority) and other authorities concerned in a time-bound manner," Saxena said. Some parts of t

The Delhi government's vigilance department has served a notice to senior IAS officer Udit Prakash Rai for the construction of an official accommodation following the demolition of a 15th-century monument during his tenure as DJB's chief executive officer. The department has also issued show cause notices to five Delhi Jal Board (DJB) engineers for their alleged connivance in the demolition of the monument and construction of the official residence of the board's CEO. The engineers with administrative responsibilities in the Board have been asked to furnish their replies in two weeks. The monument, a "Mahal" (palace) of the Pathan period and the only remnant of the Khizrabad city founded by Khizr Khan of the Sayyid dynasty was located at Jal Vihar area near Lajpat Nagar in southeast Delhi. Multiple political parties, including the BJP and Trinamool Congress, have demanded action over the demolition of the monument. "Only in India. Fifteenth-century monument demolished to construct

A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking that the Ram Sethu be declared as a national monument. The PIL, filed by advocate Ashok Pandey, also seeks construction of a wall at the spot to facilitate devotees. On March 20, the top court had said that it will list at the earliest a petition by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking a direction to the Centre to declare the Ram Sethu as a national heritage monument. Ram Sethu, also known as Adam's bridge, is a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban Island, off the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. Swamy had raised the issue of declaring the Ram Sethu a national monument in his PIL against the controversial Sethusamudram Ship Channel project, initiated by the UPA-I government. The matter reached the apex court, which in 2007 stayed work for the project on the Ram Sethu. The Centre later said it had considered the "socio-economic disadvantages" of the project and was

The CAG inspection could cover only 1,655 monuments on the protected list at the time

The government will soon launch a revamped version of the Monument Mitra scheme under which the Culture Ministry will seek partnerships with private industries for the upkeep of 1,000 ASI monuments and hold light and sound shows among other activities, a top official said Wednesday. Interacting with reporters here, Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan also said, "Our target is to have MoUs signed with partners for 500 sites under the revamped Monument Mitra scheme by August 15 when the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav ends." The Monument Mitra scheme was launched a few years ago under the Ministry of Tourism which entails adopting a site for upkeep and other related activities. The Monument Mitra scheme was transferred from the Ministry of Tourism to the Ministry of Culture a few months ago, Mohan said. The revamped Monument Mitra scheme, along with its website will be launched soon, he said, adding, the scheme will be based on corporate social responsibility (CSR). The website will have t

The Qutub Minar was the most visited destination for foreign visitors between April and June, according to an RTI reply. The historic Red Fort was the second most visited destination for foreign visitors followed by Humayun's Tomb during the same period, the reply said. An analysis of data shows that 15,51,975 Indians visited tourist places between April and June. The number of foreign visitors stood at 21,580. Qutub Minar, a UNSECO-recognised world heritage site in Delhi, received 3,81,249 Indian visitors and 9,063 foreign tourists between April and June, according to data shared by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Delhi Circle. The maximum number of foreign tourists visited the monument in April. The Mughal-era Red Fort was visited by 5,696 foreign tourists during the three-month period. It received the highest number of domestic visitors at 8,13,434, more than twice the number at Qutub Minar. Humayun's Tomb received 5,139 foreign tourists. The Red Fort and Qutub Mina

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) performed Bhumi Pujan (ground breaking ceremony) rituals to remove sand from the 'garbhagriha' (sanctum sanatorium) of the Sun temple in Odisha's Konark

The government has firmed up a proposal to give specific names to all the AIIMS, including that in Delhi, based on regional heroes, freedom fighters, historical events or monuments of the area or their distinct geographical identity. Majority of the 23 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have submitted a list of names, after the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare sought suggestions from them in this matter, official sources told PTI. AIIMS, many of which are operational while others being set up under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), are known by its generic name and distinguished only by their location, an official explained. "So, the Union health ministry has drafted a proposal to give specific names to all the 23 AIIMS, which include those fully functional, partially operational or under construction," the source said. In this regard, suggestions were sought for assigning specific names to different AIIMS, which could be linked to local o