Future not in ruins

A city-based heritage trust had begun work on the ruins about 22 years ago. And this trust brought the site to the notice of state and Central government agencies, including the ASI, which declared it a protected site some years ago. Trust’s president and noted architect Karan Grover, who was in China to make a final presentation on the site, described it as an ‘‘on top of the world’’ moment for his team.

‘‘It’s good news for everyone and I am elated,’’ Grover said on the phone from Beijing. ‘‘Late Prof R.N. Mehta took me to the site about 30 years ago. Since then, it has been my mission to salvage the site,’’ he added.

Set up in 1984 by professionals, with Grover as its secretary, the trust had been lobbying with various government, non-government and international agencies like the UN to get the world heritage status for this site. In 2000, the site was put on the World Monuments Watch List, as one of the 100 most endangered sites, by the New York-based World Monuments Fund.

‘‘Once it got the ‘endangered’ tag, government and international agencies began spending their time and money on the site,’’ says a trust spokesperson.

The deserted 15th century capital of Champaner was first excavated by Prof Mehta of the M.S. University in the late 1960s. The ruins lie at the bottom of an underground archaeological area with a few standing structures. Within the inner citadel, a small village exists since 19th century. It derives its subsistence from Kalikamata temple on Pavagadh hill. Champaner has been high on the religious map, and the newly-bestowed status is expected to add to the town’s tourism economy.

‘‘It’s great news. It should help the region and the state economically, culturally and archaeologically too,’’ says Prof V.H. Sonwane, former head of MSU’s archaeology department.

Residents of Pavagadh and neighbouring villages are also excited. Ghanshyam Joshi, who has been associated with the restoration work on the site, says: ‘‘Now, it is the responsibility of the people here to make the place more attractive and approachable for tourists.’’