Anil Paba
Recently, while addressing the large gathering in the 109th Annual General Meeting of the Dogra Sadar Sabha at Dogra Hall Jammu, former Sadre-Reyasat and President Indian Council of Cultural Relations ( ICCR) has expressed his deep concern over the neglect of Dogra Heritage Sites in Jammu and other parts of the State and added that adequate attention is not being given for their preservation.
It is beyond doubt, that Dogra rulers have contributed a lot in the State of Jammu and Kashmir right from Maharaja Gulab Singh to Maharaja Hari Singh. They have contributed in all the fields either in Educational Reforms, Literature or Art and Architecture. They have constructed beautiful Temples, Sarais, Bowalies, Forts as well as extended the boundaries of their kingdom. The fort of Great Dogra Warrior General Zorawar Singh at Leh is aq living example of Dogra rulers. The period of Dogra rulers remain the golden period in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also true that the successive Governments have not highlighted the significant contribution of Dogra rulers as well as of Maharaja Hari Singh.
It has also been observed that the State and even the Centre Government was not serious to protect our Heritage sites belonging to different dynasties right from Naga cult to Dogra Rulers. If the Government is not interested or failed to protect our Heritage. We must come forward to initiate a movement in this regard and preserve our ancient art and heritage. What is our contribution towards Heritage. We are equally responsible to care for Heritage-for our living traditions, our composite culture, our natural environment, our architectural masterpieces. The conservation and preservation of Heritage is everyone’s responsibility. We should not blame the Government. Time and again the newspapers have also highlighted the issue of our Heritage and preserving the old monuments like Purmandal and Utterbahni, Bahu fort, Mubark Mandi complex and Shadimarg Sarai etc., through their editorials.
The famous Shadimarg Sarai built by Mughal ruler Jahangir in Pulwama district of South Kashmir spread over eight acres of land has shrunk to just half an acre. Land mafia and political heavy weights have grabbed the land. Similar is the case with Hari Parbat Fort and temple complex, the people have constructed houses inside the stone wall that once stood as the boundary of Hari Parbat Fort. Many Houses has been constructed near the Avantipuram Temple complex. Even the ancient shrines of Purmanadal and Utterbehni in Samba district of Jammu region are weeping over the glory of past which wwere built by the Dogra ruler Maharaja Gulab Singh and Maharaja Ranbir Singh who planned to make it a second Kashi . But unfortunately, after the death of Maharaja Ranbir Singh the dream remained unfulfilled no body shown any interest to fulfill their dream of second Kashi. Besides, the 2500 years old Umapati temple by Raja Beni Dutt in the area also weeping over the glory of past. similar, is the condition with other historical monuments and shrines in othert District like Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Udhampur etc.
Need to preserve the ancient monuments and other archaeological remains is there because these provide information about the past. And, the use of the monuments is very important for the human progress. The monuments reveal the knowledge of material, engineering skills and aesthetic values of our forefather. When we look at the majestic structures that have withstood in the vagaries of time, we truly marvel at the skill and scientific knowledge possessed by people who gave shape to these buildings.
For preserving old and ancient monuments in the country, the Central Government created a Specific Authority namely Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) nearly 150 years ago.
Much has been done by this statutory organization in the field for which it came into being but it still has a long way to go.
The State of Jammu and Kashmir is full of such ancient sites and monuments. To our dismay, no excavation/exploration work, has been conducted as compare to other states.
Its activities are really laudable in some States which include Gujrat, H.P, Haryana, Delhi, Orissa etc., and where as no much heed is paid to the State of Jammu and Kashmir except in preserving and exploring some ancient sites and monuments like Burzom, Gulfkram in Kashmir, Ambaran, Ramnagar Palace, Krimchi Babbor , Billawar temples and some other in Jammu Region besides Leh Palace and Monasatries in Ladakh Division.
By the efforts of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and State Archaeological Department only few sites and some monuments retain their pristine glory but most of them lose their identity due to the negligence of department of Revenue, Tourism , Archaeology and public at large.
India is changing rapidly, may be some people even believe that Heritage preservation is out of Sync with development and hold back our progress. Before we lose our Heritage and waste our time to blame each other. It is time to, initiate a movement to preserve our cultural and heritage so that it attracts more and more tourists and naturally strengthen the economy of our State as well as of local public.
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