Heritage Conservation through Legislation

The irony of the ‘White Man’s burden’ is that the tonnage has left the ‘untermenscht’ quite far behind than they supposedly were, and the ‘ubermenscht’ bathing in loot. Ideally, this was not what the ‘civilised’ envisaged. But then again, when was the last time things went according to the plan?

The avariciousness of the colonial masters didn’t just damage peoples at the cost of their lives, but also, economically, socially, & most importantly, CULTURALLY! And not just the British, but French & Portuguese too were all in line to get their hands at what they could. While Europe failed to achieve Unity in Diversity back at home, here it gained far more by subscribing to Unity in Despotism.

From drafting natives to fight in their petty wars, to steal and store an entire history of a people inside locked caskets in their own museums, the supposed saviours justified their greed by styling themselves as custodians of culture, while in reality, their actions were more miserly than moral.

Chandravati Temple ruins

A revelation by French scholar, Gustave Le Bon, in 1815 revealed that 40,000 cubic feet of stone from Chandravati temples, capital of Abu branch of Parmars, of Gujarat, had been sold to contractors of Rajputana Railway, by the Sirohi Durbar under the advice of the British political resident. And in a pen stroke, a structure which carried it’s own story to tell, own message to deliver was virtually erased off.

However, the sinister nature wasn’t just limited to foreign action, or their pursuasive methods at the barrel of a gun. It is perhaps, for the traitors in our midst who may have caused irreparable damage, then we could ever imagine, monetarily or culturally. Subash Kapoor, arrested at Frankfurt, later extradited to India, the preceding investigation revealed that the man dealt in a $145 million smuggling ring, selling of valuable pieces of art & artefacts.

Sir Alex Cunningham

But one must give credit where it’s due. Had it not been for people like Sir Alexander Cunningham, the first Director General of ASI, although equipped with a condescending perspective of Indians being ignorant to their own history, we might very well would’ve proven him right. Then again, it would be unfair to generalize all Englishmen under one umbrella. Scholars like Henry Cole, a proponent of ‘in situ’ (literally meaning, here only) model of conservation, expressed their views against the patronizing attitude of Sir Alexander.

Arguably one of the most villainously perceived figure, Lord Curzon, responsible for Bengal’s separation, was also an advocate of ‘in situ’ model.

The legal frameworks, like The Treasure Trove Act, 1878 gave authority to the Government to claim any treasure exceeding ten rupees value. By the term “treasure” it means ‘anything of any value hidden in the soil, or anything affixed thereto”.

The Ancient Monument Preservation Act, 1904 was aimed to safeguard the proper upkeep and repair of ancient buildings in private ownership except those which were used for sacred purposes; to prevent the excavation of sites of historic interest by ignorant and unauthorized persons; to secure control over traffic in antiquities and to acquire ownership, where necessary and possible, of monuments and objects of archaeological and historical interest. However, the Act had its flaws, owing more to the traditional scientific orthodoxy than local ‘paganist’ beliefs.

'Dancing Girl', the artefact discovered at Mohen-Jo-Daro

The battle FOR history is one against our 'Brother Enemy', Pakistan as well, circulating around the ownership of a bronze statue depicting a nude woman. With each side, armed with historic and legal facts, the combatants are willing for a vigorous fight. The objective is to secure this artefact dug out from Mohen-Jo-Daro, situated at present day Pakistan. Though a mutual understanding between the two sides, concluded to divide history rather than share it, the issue sparked up again in 2016.

The poignant story of Indian History falls on deaf ears. Its resurrection only relies on us. To share it among ourselves & others, in the present & the future. The burden to conserve history, culture & heritage has to be shared by everyone. Although, the citizenry today is informed & aware, we still have a long way to go.