Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 21: Maintaining that Gujjars have a proud culture and history at their back- noted Tribal Researcher Dr Javaid Rahi today said that their record in patriotic valour is glorious and deserves proper projection in curriculum books of Indian history taught in universities and schools of Jammu and Kashmir.
He was speaking in a programme, held here under the banner of Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation on ‘Gurjar Partihara’ period.
Dr Rahi, in his address, stated that Gurjar Pratihara ruled a larger part of India and defended its territory for more than 500 years. He said that Gujjar history is scattered in larger areas of the subcontinent. He said Gujarat’s name is drawn from Gujjar-Ratta which means Gujjar Nation.
He expressed surprise over the deteriorating condition of monuments built by Gurjar-Pratihara kings in various parts of the country between the 6th to 11th centuries and called for their preservation and restoration. He appealed the stake-holders, especially the members of Gujjar community to “restore the glory of these world-class pieces of architecture including buildings, forts, sculpture, temples, and pieces of arts during the time of Gurjar-Pratihara kings”.
He appealed to the community members, organisations, trusts, Government and NGOs to join hands to restore the memorials of their ancestors which are endangered but still portraying vibrant and lively pictures of the Gurjar era in India.
Quoting history of India, Dr Rahi said that the Gurjar-Pratihara kings (6th to 11th AD) were great builders of India. This dynasty had built a number of forts, building, temples which are presently at the verge of extinction. He said notable sculptures of this period include temples standing at Osian, Abhaneri, Kotah, and most charming sculptures Sursundari of Gwalior of the Gurjar-Pratihara Art , which are in shamble. The Viswaroopa form of Vishnu and marriage of Shiva and Parvati from Kannau are deteriorating and need immediate restoration, said Dr Rahi and added that the Foundation had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Minister for Culture to declare the main forts, temples, coins and other arts built by Gurjar-Pratihara kings as `Protected Monuments of India’.
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