RE: Archeological Survey of India

RAFIQUE A. KHAN
1835 APEX AVE, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90026, USA
TELEPHONE 323 662 7686
October 15, 2007

PHONE: 323 662 7686 • FAX: 323 660 5447

September 14, 2008 REMINDER

Director General
Archeological Survey of India
11 Jan Path
New Delhi, INDIA

Dear Director General:
I am aware of the marvelous work that the Archeological Survey of India has done in preservation of historic monuments in India. Thus I was distressed to observe the neglect and resulting slow but sure destruction of monuments of Kashmir that I visited recently. This letter is to report of what I saw and request your immediate attention for corrective measures.
During my stay in Kashmir I visited four monuments under control of Archeological Survey of India : (1) At Harwan, near Srinagar, the site of 4th Buddhist Conference (2) The Naranag Temple at Wangat (3) The Dara Shaku Mosque in Srinagar and (4) King Budshah Tomb in Srinagar.
(1) At Harwan, overlooking the Dal Lake, in a narrow mountain valley is the building complex believed to be the site were the 4th Buddhist congress was held. The antiquities, mostly building walls, are spread over some 10 acres in three terraces. There are foundations of some half a dozed structures of varied sizes, from a four room house and to renaments of buildings with large courtyards of what must have been expansive structures.
The site could be, should be, a pilgrimage and leaning center, a showcase of the Buddhist Culture that flourished in Kashmir for eight centuries. Instead, slowly but surely the antiquities and the ambiance of the sacred place is being destroyed. Within the site and in the surrounding mountain valley are some very ugly intrusive water supply related public utility structures. Nearby a communication tower is being built. These structures obstructing the panoramic view from the site and intrude on the tranquility of the place. The site has no motor able access. The existing pedestrian route is difficult and made more circuitous by a fence with locked gate. It is apparent that there is no archeological investigation work attempted at the site. It was disconcerting to learn that recently antiquities from the site have been removed and taken out of Kashmir by Archeological Department officials.
(2) Naranag is an amazing place. How did this large complex of stone buildings built in terraces on the banks of a river in a remote alpine valley which even now is not easily accessible come about, I wonder. The transportation of enormous stones which must weigh hundreds of tons brought to the area and hauled some forty feet up to build the monumental buildings seems like a marvel at the engineering and artist genius of these builders. To build and run this place, there must have been an enormous organized human presence in the area? Sadly only the decay and blight that surrounds the area is apparent now. A shanty town, base camp for mountain trekking, is in the making around the site. Domestic animals room freely; there is encroachment on public land. Private and public structures of inappropriate materials and shoddy construction abound.
The most disturbing aspect of my visit was seeing these monuments being buried in mud washed by a recent rainfall. Under the stewardship of the archeological survey of India this heritage monument being buried instead of being discovered.
(3) Dara Shaku Mosque Complex at Srinagar. Overlooking the city of Srinagar, the mosque is in midst of a courtyard with surrounding cubicals. Together with the stately Chinar trees and remnants of a water garden this place gives the appearance of having been grand. Here also there is no attempt at the upkeep of the place. Dogs and stray animals roam freely. The place is littered with garbage. The place seems to have become a haven for vagabonds and petty gamblers.
This monument is also terraced. On one side, south-east corner of the mosque in the second terrace, I observed leaking water from a higher terrace seeping into the mosque foundation. Thus endangering the structure.
(4) Budshah Cemetery a Srinagar. On the banks of river Jehlum in the middle of the city the main structure in the cemetery, tomb of Budshahs mother, is one of most recognized monuments of Kashmir. All of the area, some of it under private ownership, is full of weeds. A path recently build in the middle of the cemetery seemed to be out of character with the architectural ambiance of the place. The tomb itself, I was shocked to see, is used for material storage and an improvised kitchen.
My objective for this writing is to help in preserving these and other historic monuments of Kashmir. Based on what I saw and my discussion with knowledgeable people in the area I learned certain disturbing information.
1. It seems that Archeological Survey emphasis in Kashmir is on improvements above ground. There seems to be no attempt at digging for discovery. Instead public works that generate building contact work and associated benefits seemed to get budgeted.
2. Under the jurisdiction of the Archeological Survey of India there are some 46 monuments in Kashmir and 5 monuments in Jammu. Yet the office of the J and K State is located in Jammu. The number of employees and their tenure also seemed disproportionate.
I want to share this information with you and would very much appreciate your timely response.
Thank you.
Sincerely

Rafique A. Khan
Rafiquekhan@kashmirrelief.org.

Copy:
Superintendent Archeological Survey of India, 141 AD Greenbelt Park Jammu
World Monuments Fund, 95 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10016 (wmf@wmf.org)
Fayaz Ahmad Kaloo, Greater Kashmir, 6 Partab Park Press Enclave Residency Road Srinagar Kashmir (FAX 2477782) Editor@greaterkashmir.com