India the land of luxuriance, 'Where Diversity and Disaphora dwells together'. The richness of Indian culture and history have been referred to corroborate our wonderful antiquity time and again (SC's recent verdict in 2019, Ayodhya case Joseph Teifenthler's diary was used)and to study about Indian ways of life by indologist( Stella Karmarisch, Ak coomarswamy), antiquarians, nationalist ( jadunath sarkar) and others alike.
During colonial and post colonial times orientalist did some excavations and felt a need to preserve oriental ways of life many also shyed away from accepting the Indian richness, while others contributed in translating Indian works like James Mill (eurocentric) V. A Smith, Max Muller &
Governor General of Bengal Warren Hastings along with William Jones established Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1784, Alexander Cunningham director general of ASI ( ASI established by Lord curzon who drafted an act on Ancient monument preservation Act 1904) John Marshall all served well to preserve the Indian antiques. Even Need to safeguard our art heritage is enshrined in our Constitution as well-
mentioned in part IV A (Fundamental Duties), of Indian Constitution a need has been realized and elaborated to preserve this richness at national & state level apart from the community level. Article 49 (Directive principles of state policy) recommends the protection of monuments, places and objects of natural imprortance. But recently the momentum of awareness and fervour has pulled on to the tide...Reason being the damage caused due to lack of security in museums or any other archaeological sites and place of monumental remains,
Most epic example being the carrying away of Amravati marble to be used in other construction works, or the chipping of precious stones or semi precious petra deura for personal usage which leaves a deep scar on monuments, scribbling on monumental walls, thefts & duplication of paintings, ransacking the historical places and encroaching them, smuggling of valuable art works to other countries and so on leaves our art heritage in shambles and scraps it, Thus degrading it further.
Therefore Archaeological Survey of India has taken on many refurbishing projects under the aegis of Ministry of culture & Tourism -National Mission on Manuscript to preserve and relish the Indian manuscripts belonging to diverese lingustic backgrounds. Project Heritage Mistri, Project Mausam, to cherish and connect the heritage of Indian Ocean Region an excellent answer to China's CPEC and other developmental projects in IOR, Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Dekho aapna desh darshan are other projects by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture to embolden the youth of India to provide with certain knowledge of Indian culture and heritage... And to reskill the people under Junior Heritage Mistri Scheme to relish and preserve Indian heritage even the colonial legislations like Indian Treasure Trove act 1878 and others are still in force,but these require greater level of awareness,integration and timely reporting of treasures found among people of our country to protect and maintain antiquity!





© Kalika Singh