ASI-protected monuments in Gujarat: Ahmedabad tops among cities with 37, Panchmahal beats others districts with 42
In Panchmahal, most of the 42 monuments and sites are in Champaner and Pavagadh Hill.
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Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendrasinh Shekhawat said that as per the requirement and availability of resources, ASI takes up projects related to conservation and preservation of historical sites. (sahapedia.org)While Ahmedabad tops among cities in Gujarat with the maximum number of centrally protected monuments that are under the supervision and maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Panchmahal beats other districts in the state, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendrasinh Shekhawat, said in Parliament on Tuesday.
Shekhawat, in his reply to an unstarred question by MP Geniben Thakor, said that out of 205 protected monuments, 42 monuments are in Panchmahal district, 28 in Ahmedabad district and 37 in Ahmedabad city alone.
In Panchmahal, most of the 42 monuments and sites are in Champaner and Pavagadh Hill. Others include Ek Minar ki Masjid, Panch Mahuda ki Masjid, Tomb of Sikandar Shah, Kabutarkhana Pavilion Talao.
“In Panchmahal, there are several monuments on the Pavagadh Hill and Champaner. Similar is for Ahmedabad city, which has several gates listed as protected sites. Most of these sites are from the Gaekwad era. These have been under the supervision of ASI. Some, including the Lothal site, were also excavated during the post-independence period,” Shubha Majumder, Superintending Archaeologist at the ASI Vadodara Circle told The Indian Express.
Such protected monuments and sites in Gujarat fall under two circles — Vadodara and Rajkot. While Vadodara circle has 159 monuments and sites under the supervision and maintenance of the ASI, Rajkot has 46.
While responding to the question on proposals for setting up new museums or cultural centres in Gujarat, the Union Minister said that at present, there is no such proposal pending for consideration with the Ministry of Culture.
The ministry has also provided financial assistance to the Archaeological Experiential Museum at Vadnagar in the last three years, said Shekhawat in his reply to Thakor’s question on initiatives taken for the conservation and promotion of the cultural and historical heritage of the state.
Shekhawat said that as per the requirement and availability of resources, ASI takes up projects related to conservation and preservation of historical sites like Sun Mandir in Modhera, Rani Ki Vav in Patan and Champaner-Pavagadh.
The Ministry of Culture has established the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC) at Udaipur to preserve and promote the folk culture of Gujarat. WZCC organises various cultural activities and programmes in the state, including Vasantotsav, National Unity Day, Dang Darbar, Nupur Nritya Mahotsav and Tribal Festival, Shekhawat’s also stated.
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