Heritage Monuments in India
India has a rich culture and rich heritage to boast of that features a storehouse of archaeological assets and mind-blowing monuments. Indian architecture embodies a multitude of expressions over time and space, perpetually absorbing new ideas. The result is an ever-evolving range of architectural production that nevertheless retains and possesses a certain measure of continuity across history. They represent a unique legacy of civilizations, but the majority of India’s architectural heritage and sites remain unprotected.
This legacy that India stands for is steadily being eroded as a result of insensitive urbanization and modernization. It does not command the same respect as modern monuments, leading to many unprotected and protected heritage sites, both being still in use. The fashion in which they continue to be kept represents the negligence of India. This heritage is apparent in both intangible and tangible forms, and its diversity characterizes the composite culture of India. Beyond its role as a historical document, this heritage reflects values of everlasting relevance to contemporary Indian society, thus making it deserving of conservation.
Cultural History
This cultural history is characterized by heritage monuments in India originating from a glorious past of old civilizations. The Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort in Agra, Mahabalipuram Monuments, Khajuraho Temples, the Konark Sun Temple, Hampi Monuments just as the Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta Caves, Thanjavur, are a share of the monuments declared as World Heritage Monuments. Each person, group, and society of India has an exceedingly valuable heritage that can be and must be made an obligation of the common society to save for the people to come. As per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 ( No. 24 of 1958), on the off chance that somebody evacuates, decimates, changes, harms, damages, endangers, or abuses a secured and warranted landmark he/she will be blameable with imprisonment which may reach up to a quarter of a year, or with a fine which may extend up to 5,000 rupees, or with both of them.
It is disheartening and discouraging to acknowledge that hardly a few people overlook the fact that they are harming valuable archaeological magnum opuses, inscribe their names, initials, locations, or messages on these fortunes of the nation. The security and conservation of these monuments can’t be ignored anymore. Indian Youth, including youngsters in schools, have a rare responsibility towards shining light on issues and safeguarding the rich heritage and culture which is a part of the brilliant history of our country.
Conservation Process
The first step in any conservation project is to recognize the buildings’ failings and shortcomings. This helps to create a logistically and operationally stratified operation which will further result in the guided success of the conservation projects. Consistent efforts should be made to admit the optimum number of heritage sites to the country’s protected monuments. For this intent, recognition, and identification of potent heritage sites needs to be initiated. The truth is that the different entities involved in the procedure of conservation are deficient in the essential skilled manpower to make the whole conservation operation a triumph. Initiatives should be made to recruit and train eligible people required for the job. Since conserving and preserving the monuments demands overriding expertise, which can only be developed and matured through field experience, fresh talent should be motivated to be a part of the projects at various levels. The awareness programs are supplemental to the chemical preservation and structural conservation of heritage monuments. Resources, serious efforts, and time are put into the conservation projects, but the role of the public is essential too. All the conservation and preservation efforts will be declared null and void if the monuments are going to lie in devastating conditions.
Conclusion | Heritage Monuments in India
In the present world, we need to protect the monuments and sport them to the cutting side as the commitments of our forefathers. A little sweat on our end can make intensified variations that will make the people of the yore, the present, and the coming future of the nation and the world gladsome for India. The difficulties of the conservation of cultural heritage in India are obstructed by a couple of feasible viewpoints. This is anticipated fundamentally to the inadequacy of the minimum quantity of working in the field of preservation of heritage, and the unavailability of the focus points of standardized training/ grooming applied examination and principals concerning this issue. On the other hand, the way to cope with conservation in India would be a new placement of conservation rules monuments. Integrative preservation of Indian heritage demands a plan of action to academia alterations in school and higher education proposed to regain the archaic knowledge of India in sciences, expressions, and methodologies of reasoning, which relies on definitive pivotal examination and R&D in the domain.
References
Asichennai.gov.in. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://asichennai.gov.in/downloads/amasr_act_1958.pdf> [Accessed 29 March 2021].
