Ancient Temples and Mosques under Archeological Survey of India

Hindustani78 · Nov 13, 2017

The Minister for Tamil Official Language, Tamil Culture and Archaeology, Tamil Nadu, Shri K. Pandiarajan meeting the Minister of State for Culture (I/C) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, in New Delhi on November 13, 2017.

The Minister of State for Culture (I/C) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma holding a review meeting of Archaeological Survey of India, National Monument Authority, in New Delhi on November 13, 2017. The Director General, ASI, Mrs. Usha Sharma is also seen.

Hindustani78 · Nov 15, 2017

DH News Service, Belagavi Nov 14 2017, 18:16 IST

618xNx642728_thump.jpg.pagespeed.ic.ewEMn7lKZt.jpg

Muzrai Minister Rudrappa Lamani. DH file photo
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/642728/state-govt-denotify-70-temples.html

The government will soon denotify select temples and hand them over to the hereditary trustees to manage them, Muzrai Minister Rudrappa Lamani said on Tuesday.

The department has shortlisted 70 temples for denotification as per the recommendations of deputy commissioners of the districts. These temples are currently owned and managed by the Muzrai department. They will be handed over to the hereditary trustees and families that built them," the Minister said, replying to a question by Congress member Shrikant Laxman Ghotnekar in the Council.

He said it was not the government's responsibility to manage temples. It had no intention to take over any temple in the state. The deputy commissioners had recommended denotification of some temples many years ago. But none of his predecessors had taken any decision in this regard, the minister said.

He said the temples that had been selected for denotification were small ones. As many as 34,559 temples come under the purview of the Muzrai department, he said.

When senior member Basanagouda Patil Yatnal sarcastically said the Muzrai department was jinxed and that those who held the portfolio did not win the next election, Lamani said it was not true. "Prakash Hukkeri, who was Muzrai minister, later won the parliamentary election. I am doing my work sincerely and god will protect me," he said.

Hindustani78 · Dec 16, 2017

A file photo of rare antiquities excavated at Kotalingala. | Photo Credit: Arrangement

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...or-kotalingala-excavation/article21666529.ece

Govt. has to act before the pre-Satavahana site gets submerged under backwaters of Yellamapally project

The focus is back on Kotalingala, the only pre-historic Satavahana site located in Karimnagar district, which is a treasure trove of archaeological evidence to the early history of Andhra kings, before the well-documented Satavahana period.

With Telugu language, literature, culture and history in the limelight thanks to the World Telugu Conference -2017 (WTC) being organised by Telangana State government, can Kotalingala and its legacy be ignored any longer by the government, ask historians, archaeologists and numismatists.

The first excavations in Kotalingala were done about 40 years ago. The discovery of the coins of Pre-Satavahana and Satavahana period in 1978 was considered significant in the numismatics history of South India as for the first time it showed that the inscribed coins belonged to Gobada, the first Andhra king who ruled from Kotalingala and others, followed by Satavahana kings, says numismatist D. Raja Reddy. He is now preparing to give a detailed account of 200 coins with a history of 2,500 years to be exhibited in the LB Stadium during the WTC from December 15 to 19.

S. Narayana Rao (77), who retired as the Chief Technical Officer in the Archaeology Department, conducted the excavations in 1981 and 82 after securing permission from the GoI in Kotalingala found the entire walled city. Several seals, coins, terracotta pottery were found as evidence of the pre-Satavahana period. However, even after four decades, the 120-acre site is not yet excavated fully, he regrets.

“The site identified for excavation was a private area and under cultivation. We offered compensation for the crop and completed the initial horizontal excavations. We had sent a proposal 20 years ago that the entire 120-acre site should be excavated in a phased manner and farmers be paid crop compensation till excavation was completed,” Mr. Narayana Rao says.

It is for the present Chief Minister and his government to speed up the process before backwaters of Yellamapally project submerge the area and the rich evidence is lost, he says.

Dr. Raja Reddy said that the archaeologists and teams from Deccan College of Archaeology in Pune were interested in doing the excavation meticulously.

K.V.Ramanachary, Advisor, Culture, Telangana government says that as per archaeological evidence, Sri Mukha is the first ruler of Satavahana dynasty and Kotalingala is the first capital city of Satavahanas. “We are under the impression that Dhanyakatakam in Amaravati is the first capital city of Satavahanas as mentioned in the textbooks. Now that separate Telangana has been carved out, administrators, historians should bring these facts to light,” he says.

Archaeology Director Vishalakshi admitted that Kotalingala needed further excavation and proposals were sent to the Centre. The consent of private people also has to be taken, she says.

Mr. Narayanara Rao says excavations are best done during October-March. Mr. Rao is responsible for translocating 24 out of 44 temples under the Srisailam project over a period of 10 years from 1974. “We did our best during our time to push for the excavation of the entire 120-acre Kotalingala fort site. But after senior officials who were passionate about the archaeology project retired, Kotalingala fell into neglect,” he says.

Hindustani78 · Dec 20, 2017

The Minister of State for Culture (I/C) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma performing Bhoomi-Poojan for 3rd Phase of National Museum Building, on the occasion of Foundation Day of National Museum, in New Delhi on December 18, 2017.

The Minister of State for Culture (I/C) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma unveiling the plaque to lay the foundation stone for 3rd Phase of National Museum Building, on the occasion of Foundation Day of National Museum, in New Delhi on December 18, 2017.

The Minister of State for Culture (I/C) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma inaugurating the exhibition entitled “Rama-Abhirama: The Beauty of Rama in Indian Art and Tradition”, on the occasion of Foundation Day of National Museum, in New Delhi on December 18, 2017.

The Minister of State for Culture (I/C) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma visiting the exhibition entitled “Rama-Abhirama: The Beauty of Rama in Indian Art and Tradition”, on the occasion of Foundation Day of National Museum, in New Delhi on December 18, 2017.

The Minister of State for Culture (I/C) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma releasing the book by the former DG, ASI, Prof. B.B. Lal, on the occasion of Foundation Day of National Museum, in New Delhi on December 18, 2017.

The Minister of State for Culture (I/C) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma addressing the gathering on the occasion of Foundation Day of National Museum, in New Delhi on December 18, 2017.

Ministry of Culture
20-December, 2017 18:30 IST
‘The 100th Birth Anniversary Exhibition and Celebration: DHANRAJ BHAGAT’ begins today

An exhibition entitled ‘The 100th Birth Anniversary Exhibition and Celebration: DHANRAJ BHAGAT (1917-1988).’ has begun in National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi today. The exhibition intends to acquaint the public with more than 400 works of Dhanraj Bhagat on the theme of ‘Journey from the Physical to the Spiritual’. The exhibition will be on displayed till 20th February 2018. Director General, National Gallary of Modern Art Shri Adwaita Gadanyak inaugurated it.

Eminent sculptor Padmashri Dhanraj Bhagat was born in 1917 in Lahore. He is undoubtedly one of the major sculptors in the Indian modern art movement. He studied at the National College of Arts (formerly known as Mayo School of Art), Lahore, securing a diploma in sculpture. He started his career as a faculty at the College of Art, New Delhi in 1947 and rose to the position of the head of the Sculpture Department and from where he retired in 1977. The unique style, which he perfected over the years, illustrates an amalgamation of national heritage and western artistic ideas and traditions. This reflects in his use of geometric shapes and colours. He experimented in several mediums such as wood, metal, terracotta, plaster of paris, paper pulp, stone, fiber glass etc. During the last years of his life, when he was too weak to sculpting, Bhagat produced a portfolio of drawings that also reflects his distinctive artistic vocabulary and it forms a major repository of this exhibition, celebrating the artist’s 100 year birth centenary at the NGMA, New Delhi.

*************

Ministry of Culture
20-December, 2017 16:02 IST
National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities 3 D Project

National Mission on Monuments & Antiquities (NMMA) gets the documentation done through various Data Resource Centers viz. Universities, Institutions, Museums, State Archaeology Departments, Circles of ASI. So far NMMA has documented approx.15 lakh antiquities from different sources. Data of Approx. 2.00 lakhs of Built Heritage & Sites has been listed from Secondary sources in NMMA devised Templates. As per the scheme Circle wise funds are not allocated. However, expenditure is met from budget allocated for ASI.

The Government of Tamil Nadu has allotted 2 Acres of land to ASI to establish a site museum at Keezhadi.

Standing Committee of Central Advisory Board of Archaeology (SC of CABA) has approved the proposal submitted by the State Archaeological Department, Government of Tamil Nadu for carrying out excavation at Keezhadi during 2017-18 and all expenditure on excavation during current season will be borne by State Govt.

List of existing 46 Archaeological site Museums under the jurisdiction of ASI is given below:

State
Name of the Circle
Sl. No.
Name of the Museums

Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad Circle

1.
Archaeological Site Museum, Kondapur
Assam
Guwahati Circle

2.
Archaeological Site Museum, Sri Surya Pahar
Bihar
Patna Circle

3.
Archaeological Site Museum, Bodhgaya

4.
Archaeological Site Museum, Nalanda

5.
Archaeological Site Museum, Vaishali

6.
Archaeological Site Museum, Vikramshila
Delhi
Delhi Mini Circle

7.
Archaeological Museum, Purana Qila

8.
Archaeological Site Museum, Red Fort

9.
Archaeological Site Museum, Salimgarh

10.
Indian War Memorial Museum, Red Fort

11.
Swatantrata Sangram Sangrahalya Museum, Red Fort
Goa
Goa Circle

12.
Archaeological Site Museum, Velha Goa
Gujarat
Vadodara Circle

13.
Archaeological Site Museum, Lothal

14.
Archaeological site Museum, Dholavira
Haryana
Chandigarh Circle

15.
Sheikh Chilli’s Tomb Museum, Thaneswar
Himachal Pradesh
Shimla Circle

16.
Kangra Fort Museum, Kangra
Karnataka
Bangalore Circle

17.
Archaeological Site Museum, Halebidu

18.
Tipu Sultan Museum, Srirangapattanam
Hampi Mini Circle

19.
Archaeological Site Museum, Kamlapur (Hampi)
Dharwad Circle

20.
Archaeological Site Museum, Aihole

21.
Archaeological Site Museum, Badami

22.
Archaeological Site Museum, Bijapur
Kerala
Thrissur Circle

23.
Mattancherry Palace Museum, Mattancherry
Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal Circle

24.
Archaeological Site Museum, Chanderi

25.
Archaeological Site Museum, Gwalior

26.
Archaeological Site Museum, Khajuraho

27.
Archaeological Site Museum, Sanchi

28.
Archaeological Site Museum,
Shivpuri (to be opened)
Odisha
Bhubaneshwar Circle

29.
Archaeological Site Museum, Konarka

30.
Archaeological Site Museum, Ratnagiri
Punjab
Chandigarh Circle

31.
Archaeological Site Museum, Ropar
Rajasthan
Jodhpur Circle

32.
Archaeological Site Museum, Kalibangan
Jaipur Circle

33.
Deeg Palace Museum
Tamilnadu
Chennai Circle

34.
Fort St. George Museum, Chennai
Telengana
Amravati Circle

35.
Archaeological Site Museum, Amaravati

36.
Archaeological Site Museum, Chandragiri

37.
Archaeological Site Museum, Nagarjunakonda
Uttar Pradesh
Agra Circle

38.
Taj Museum, Agra

39.
Archaeological Site Museum, Fatehpur Sikri
Sarnath Circle

40.
Archaeological Site Museum, Sarnath
Lucknow Circle

41.
1857 Residency Museum, Lucknow

42.
Archaeological Site Museum, Kapilavastu (Piprahwa)
Uttrakhand
Dehradun Circle

43.
Archaeological Site Museum, Jageshwar
West Bengal
Kolkata Circle

44.
Archaeological Site Museum, Tamluq

45.
Archaeological Site Museum, Murshidabad

46.
Koch Bihar Palace Museum, Koch Bihar

This information was given by Minister of State (IC) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

*****

Ministry of Culture
20-December, 2017 15:59 IST
Declaration of Begumpuri Masjid and Sarai Shahji Monuments in Delhi as Protected Monuments

Begumpur Masjid and Sarai Shahji have been declared as monuments of National importance. As per Sections 20A and 20B of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 (amended therein 2010), prohibited (100 metres from protected area) and regulated area (200 metres beyond prohibited area) have been defined. While only repair or renovation of existing structures are allowed in prohibited area, construction or reconstruction or repair or renovation is permitted in regulated areas.

93 number of complaints have been received from field office of Archaeological Survey of India regarding unauthorized construction near Begumpur Masjid and Sarai Shahji.

Out of above 93 cases, forty removal orders under Rule 38(1) to the concerned persons/offenders and 24 demolition order under Rule 38(2) of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959, to the concerned Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) have been issued.

This information was given by Minister of State (IC) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

***

Ministry of Culture
20-December, 2017 15:57 IST
39 countries identifie under Project ‘Mausam’

Project ‘Mausam’ is the initiative of Ministry of Culture to be implemented by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as the nodal agency with research support of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and National Museum as associate bodies. This project aims to explore the multi-faceted Indian Ocean ‘world’ – collating archaeological and historical research in order to document the diversity of cultural, commercial and religious interactions in the Indian Ocean. The main objective of the project is to inscribe places and sites identified under Project Mausam as trans-national nomination for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

An SFC, was approved for Rs.150, 244, 502/-for two year i.e. 2015-16 and 2016-17 and an amount of Rs.23,94,600/- is utilized upto March, 2017 on the Project.

The list of 39 countries identified under Project Mausam is given below:

1
Bahrain

2
Bangladesh

3
Cambodia

4
China

5
Comoros

6
Egypt

7
Eritrea

8
Réunion, French Department

9
Indonesia

10
Iraq

11
Iran (Islamic Republic)

12
Jordan

13
Kuwait

14
Kenya

15
Lebanon

16
Madagascar

17
Malaysia

18
Maldives

19
Mauritius

20
Mozambique

21
Myanmar

22
Oman

23
Pakistan

24
Philippines

25
Qatar

26
Singapore

27
Sri Lanka

28
Saudi Arabia

29
Seychelles

30
Somalia

31
South Africa

32
Sudan

33
Syrian Arab Republic

34
United Republic of Tanzania

35
Thailand

36
Turkey

37
United Arab Emirates

38
Viet Nam

39
Yemen

Series of lectures and workshop has been organized. Indian Mission abroad in these countries have been requested to identify appropriate authority/experts for dialogue and to identify potential sites for preparing Tentative List proposal.

This information was given by Minister of State (IC) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

*****

Hindustani78 · Jan 19, 2018

A view of the ‘Gopuram’ near Chandragiri fort. | Photo Credit: SpecialArrangement

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ram-in-a-state-of-neglect/article22466922.ece

TIRUPATI, January 19, 2018 00:01 IST
Updated: January 19, 2018 00:01 IST

Tower may collapse because it has developed a six inch-wide vertical crack

An ancient ‘gopuram’ in the vicinity of the famed Chandragiri fort symbolising the architectural grandeur of the Vijayanagara era is in a state of neglect, indicative of both civic indifference and official apathy.

The 100-ft tall structure is made of granite stone up to the roof, with brick and lime mortar forming part of the super structure. The tower has developed a six inch-wide vertical crack, the plastering has peeled off and the stucco sculpture is in a bad shape, not to mention the wild growth of shrubs in the vicinity of the ‘uncared for’ structure. The Gopuram is located near Reddivaripalle village in Chandragiri mandal, dotted with such dilapidated structures of the Vijayanagara era, many of them built when the dynasty ruled the region with Chandragiri as its capital.

This Reddyvaripalle was known as Siddhankuttai in the erstwhile Valanadu district. The link has been established by noted archaeologist E. Sivanagi Reddy, Chief Executive Officer of ‘The Culture Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati’. The village finds a mention in an inscription engraved on the outer wall in the first precincts (Prakara) of Tirumala temple, which dates back to 1433 AD during the reign of Sri Veera Pratapa Devaraya II (Praudha Devaraya).

According to Gopi Krishna, a senior research scholar on the TTD temples, the inscription records an agreement among Sri Venkateswara temple treasury, the temple authorities and the Mahajanas of the village. It grants 50% of revenue of Siddhankuttai village in Kottala Sthalam within Vaikuntha Valanadu district to the 24 Mahajanas of the Srinivasapuram Agraharam for performing Veda Parayanam in Srivari temple, on condition of having two persons among them each day in the presence of the deity of ‘Tiruvenkatamudaiyan’ (the Tamil name for Lord Venkateswara).

“Based on this inscription, we have identified Siddhankuttai as Reddivaripalli,” Dr. Sivanagi Reddy told The Hindu. Under the scheme ‘Preserve heritage for posterity’, he recently visited the site along with heritage activist B.V. Ramana and ‘Sthapathi’ Dr.P. Subramani. Interestingly, the ‘Kottala Sthalam’ mentioned in the inscription is the current day Kotala, the nearest railway station on the Tirupati-Pakala route, located 3 km from the ruins.

Appeal to ASI

Expressing fear that the crack on the ‘Sikhara’ could widen and collapse any moment, Dr. Reddy appeals to the Department of Archaeology and Museums and the ASI to safeguard it, besides requesting the villagers to understand the significance of the heritage monument.

**********

District Collector N. Satyanarayana inspecting the historic fort at Domakonda mandal headquarters in Kamareddy district on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: K_V_RAMANA

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...o-be-a-tourist-attraction/article22458236.ece

Plans drawn to develop historic structure

District Collector N. Satyanarayana instructed the Panchayat Raj and Horticulture departments to initiate steps for protection and development of the historic Domakonda Fort.

The Collector accompanied by officials of the Panchayat Raj and Horticulture departments visited the historic fort at Domakonda mandal headquarters on Wednesday.

He suggested to the horticulture officers to come forward with proposals to improve greenery within the fort. The Collector said that the Department of Archeology will undertake the job of construction of fencing around the fort and will also contribute its share for greenery.

He said that if the greenery and civic facilities were improved in the 17th Century fort spread over several dozens of acres flow of tourists will increase to it.

Executive Engineer, Panchayat Raj, Horticulture Officer Shekar and RDO Seenu were with the Collector.

Hindustani78 · Jan 26, 2018

https://www.hindustantimes.com/delh...aise-cities/story-nrx0p8i6WZcdo48INjiuOL.html

January 1556, Delhi. It has been eleven months since Mirza Nasiruddin Baig Muhammad Khan Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, reclaimed his kingdom from Sher Shah Suri, the Pashtun founder of the Sur Empire. On the way from Lahore to Agra — the capital city — Humayun’s royal entourage and army halts at Dinpanah, the sixth city of Dilli, which he established 23 years ago.

It is a sunny winter afternoon. Humayun reaches the rooftop of his library, Sher Mandal, a two-storied octagonal building in the fort that offers a panoramic view of the city. Humayun has called astrologers to discuss a plan for setting up an institute to study the movement of the sun, moon, stars, and planets. Since the Sur Empire laid waste to the city of his dreams, Humayun now intends to resume the construction of “Dinpanah” (Persian for “the asylum of faith”).

As the sun lowers on the horizon, a muezzin recites the call to prayer. It’s Humayun’s habit to sit down wherever he is when he hears the azaan. But something different happens this day: a foot entangled in the robe, tripping down the steps, a fatal fall. A few drops of blood trickle out of Humanyun’s right ear. Two days later, the king is dead.

With the death of Humayun, the story of the great city he hoped to create also came to an end. The site, which witnessed the rise and fall of two dominant empires — Mughal and Sur — now lies in ruins in the Purana Qila, once Sher Shah’s great palace, now a group of ancient structures flanked by a zoological park, a lake, and the Bhairon temple.

Ancient land

Before Humayun thought of his dream city, the site of Dinpanah had been a settlement for centuries. According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), a village at the site that existed until 1913 named “Indarpat” was the direct descendant of the Mahabharat’s Indraprastha, founded by the Pandavas after the epic’s famous Kuru War, also referred to as the Mahabharat War. (The Marathi author Chintaman Vinayak Vaidya has estimated this war occurred around 3101 BC.)

During excavations undertaken between the 1950s and 70s, the ASI found sickles, parers, terracotta toys, kiln-burnt bricks, and painted grey bowls and dishes. Painted grey wares have also been recovered from other locations associated with Mahabharata, such as Hastinapur, Mathura, and Kurukshetra.

“These circumstantial evidences establish the fact Indraprastha or Inderpat was among the five areas asked by the Pandavas from the Kauravas, for which the Kuru War was fought,” said an official of ASI who requested anonymity since he is not authorized to speak to media.

While the ASI argues that the origins of this site relate to Indraprastha and other aspects of the Mahabharat, other scholars are not certain.

Sohail Hashmi, a Delhi-based writer and filmmaker who leads heritage walks, contested the view that today’s Purana Qila has a demonstrable link to places describes in the Mahabharat.

“On three occasions, excavation was done at Purana Qila site,” he said. “There were traces of continuous human habitation for about 2,000 years, from 300 BC to 19th century. The excavators did find objects related to third century BC — Mauryan period. But nothing was discovered from earlier times. Mahabharat period is considered to be older than Mauryan era.”

Countering the painted grey ware theory, Hashmi added, “They had been in use for a longer period. To connect them with Mahabharat period, carbon dating of utensils should be done.”

Farhat Nasreen, who teaches medieval Indian history at Jamia Millia Islamia, also said that recovery of painted grey wares at Purana Qila does not definitively establish its connection with the Mahabharata city. “If a new city was being settled, it would have been on virgin grounds. Probably there might have been a village or two here, which have been associated with Mahabharata because Delhi does have a history of habitation from very ancient times. Even stone-age tools have been found in various sites in Delhi.”

Either way, the site enjoyed its first moment of fame during modern times in August 1533, when Humayun laid the foundation stone of Dinpanah. In Swapna Liddle’s book, Delhi: 14 Historic Walks, the foundation laying ceremony is described as follows: “All the great mushaikh (religious men), the respectable saiyids (descendants of Muḥammad through his daughter Faṭima), the learned persons, and all the elders of the city Delhi accompanied the king to the spot. His majesty with holy hand put a brick on the earth, and then each person from that concourse of great men put a stone on the ground.”

Hashmi said Humayun must have zeroed in on the location for the security it offered. “It was next to the river on an elevated piece of land. River water must have been diverted to the moat, making it more secure in case of an attack.”

Second empire

After routing Humayun in the battle of Kannauj in 1540, Sher Shah Suri decided to construct another city in Delhi, since building a city was considered the ultimate sign of victory at the time. He opted for the same site as Dinpanah, whose construction site was razed and replaced with that of another new city — Shergarh.

Sher Mandal at Purna Qila. It is here that the second Mughal emperor Humayun fell to his death, while coming down the stairs of his library. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

The complex spread over 35 acres, from Feroz Shah Kotla in the north to Nizamuddin’s tomb in the south. Purana Qila was surrounded by 18-metre-high ramparts, and the whole fort was enclosed within a wide moat. Three gates, all double-storied structures, were built with red sandstone and chhatris (domed pavilions).

One of them, built towards the west, is called Sher Shah Darwaza or Lal Darwaza (Red Gate), an imposing structure standing tall next to the Delhi High Court on Mathura Road and Bapa Nagar. This gate was used to enter Shergarh. The remains of a series of apartments with a verandah in front are still visible. Ruins of a structure filled with many small chambers indicate this site also contained a market. The ASI is carrying out a restoration, as parts of the structure collapsed during rain in 2012.

The fort and its remains

At present, no remains of Shergarh are visible except the ruins of Purana Qila and its fortification wall; Kunha Mosque, Sher Shah’s royal chapel; the three gates; and a red stone octagonal tower known as Sher Mandal. The building material used for Sher Shah’s city was later appropriated for the construction of Shahjahanabad, and a significant chunk of the land was taken over for the British imperial city, New Delhi. Similarly, Dinpanah was built with the remains of previous cities of Delhi.

After ruling for five years, Sher Shah died in gun power explosion during a war against Chandel Rajputs in 1545 at Kalinjar in Uttar Pardesh.

The Qila-i-Kunha mosque inside the Purana Qila complex. The mosque was built by Sher Shah Suri,a nd he and his nobles prayed here. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT PHOTO)

No more significant structures were added to Delhi during the remainder of the Sur Empire with the exception of Salimgarh, which was built by Sher Shah’s son, Salim Shah. The fortress, which served as a bulwark against the Mughals, was turned later into a prison by the Mughals and the British, who used it to house Indian National Army leaders such as Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sahgal, and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon of Indian National Army during their trial in 1945. Fifty years later, the site was made into the Swatantrata Senani Smarak (Freedom Fighters’ Memorial).

**********
Babur seized Kandahar (Qandahr) in 1524 and Lahore in 1524. In 1526, Babur faced off against Ibrahim and his force

Humayun (1508-1556, ruled 1530-1556)

Babur's victories at Panipat and Gorga did not result in the complete annihilation of the Indian chiefs.The career of Sher Khan Sur, the hero of Indo revival, His grandfather, Ibrahim, an Afghan of the Sur tribe, Ibrahim migrated with his son to the east in quest of military service in the early part of Buhlul Lodi's reign and both first entered the service of Mahabat Khan Sur, jagirdar of the paraganas of Hariana and Bakhala in the Punjab, and settled in the paragana of Bajwara or Bejoura. After some time Ibrahim got employment under Jamal Khan Sarang Khani of Hissar Firuza in the Delhi district.

In 1539, Humayun was surprised by an enemy at Chausa near Varanasi and his army was fragmented and driven into the Ganges. Many soldiers drowned.

On the 17th May, 1540, the Mughuls and the Indians met again opposite kanauj. The army of Humayun, hopelessly demoralized, half-hearted and badly officered, was severely defeated by the Indians at the battle of the Ganges or Bilgram, commonly known as the battle of Kanauj, and Humayun just managed to escape. Thus the work of Babur in India was undone, and then sovereignty of Hindustan once more passed to the Indians.

He was born about the year 1472. He was an outstanding administrator. He introduced the new silver rupee-coin "Rupiya" based on a ratio of 40 copper-coin pieces (paisa) per rupee. On his earliest Bengal coins, he inscribed his name as "Sri Ser Sahi" in both Devnagari and Persian scripts.

******

There were tested 2,000 Ujjaini Rajputs led by Raja Gajpati of Bhojpur in the army of Sher Shah at the battle of Surajgarh in 1534 against the invading Bengal army led by Ibrahim Khan and Jalal Khan (Bihar through ages, p-479). Battle of Surajgarh was turning point in the career of Sher Khan, he became defacto ruler of Bihar after it. After the battle, Raja Gajpati was allowed to retain the war booty captured from the Bengal army and Sher Khan presented to him bejeweled sword, armlet, and a string of pearls. Also Buxar was conferred on Gajpati as Jagir by Sher Khan. (proceedings of Indian history congress, 1922, p-352)

Gajapati was extremely obliged to Sher Khan for the help given to him by the latter in wresting the Bhojpur throne from Shivaram Singh Ujjainia (his uncle) in 1533.

It is reported that Sher Khan, presumably after he had become Sultan, conferred the title of Raja and the districts of Rohtas and Shahabad on Gajpati. (Imperial gazetteer of India, XI, p-378)

***********

Hemchandra Bhargawa or Hemu (1501-1556), son of Rai Puran Das, born in Alwar Rajasthan was the Chief of Army & Prime Minister during the regime of Adil Shah Suri of the Suri Dynasty. He fought 22 battles in a row without even a single setback before his emperor was captured and killed in Fathpur. In his 22nd victory on 7th October 1556 against Tardi Beg Khan of Humayun’s Army.

Hindustani78 · Feb 6, 2018

Ministry of Culture
06-February, 2018 14:08 IST
Government proposes to establish more Science Centres/Cities/museums in all the States of the country: Dr. Mahesh Sharma

The Ministry of Culture operates Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science (SPOCS) which provides for setting up of Science Cities and Science Centres in all the States of the country subject to availability of funds for the purpose. States willing to avail of this Scheme have to provide land and share the cost of setting up of facility and corpus for upkeep and maintenance.

The details of Science Cities set up in the country are as under.

Science City, Kolkata, West Bengal
Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurtala, Punjab
Science City, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Regional Science City, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

List of Science Cities/Centres being set up/proposed to be set up in the country and present status

Sl. No.

Name of Science City/Science Centre

Location of the project (Name of State/ Union Territory)

Present status

1

Science City, Guwahati

Assam

Ongoing

2.

Regional Science Centre, Kottayam

Kerala

Nearing completion

3.

Regional Science Centre, Mysore

Karnataka

Ongoing

4.

Sub-Regional Science Centre, Palampur

Himachal Pradesh

Ongoing

5.

Sub-Regional Science Centre, Bargarh

Odisha

Ongoing

6.

Sub-Regional Science Centre, Udaipur

Tripura

Nearing completion

7.

Sub-Regional Science Centre, Gaya

Bihar

Ongoing

8.

Sub- Regional Science Centre, Almora

Uttarakhand

Ongoing

9.

Sub-Regional Science Centre, Udaipur

Rajasthan

Ongoing

10.

Sub-Regional Science Centre, Jabalpur

Madhya Pradesh

Ongoing

11.

Sub-Regional Science Centre, Kokrajhar, Assam

Assam

Ongoing

12.

Sub-Regional Science Centre, Mayabunder

A&N Islands

Ongoing

13.

Sub-Regional Science Centre, Rajahmundry

Andhra Pradesh

Ongoing

This information was given by Minister of State (IC) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

*****

Ministry of Culture
06-February, 2018 16:12 IST
107 museum professionals given specialized training to improve standards of Indian museums: Dr. Mahesh Sharma

1,08,881 art objects have been digitized and uploaded on the portal under project JATAN

The Government has taken a number of steps to improve museum administration which inter alia include storage management, proper display, facilities for visitors, publicity, capacity building, security etc. This is an ongoing activity. The Ministry of Culture does not allocate funds to States/UTs for upkeep of museums. It is responsible for museums under the administrative control of Ministry of Culture only. The details of the funds allocated over the last five years for their upkeep is given below:

S.No.
Organisation
Financial Year(Rs. in Crore)

2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17

1

National Museum, New Delhi
17.90
21.08
32.29
40.26
35.50

2
National Gallery Modern Art, New Delhi
16.22
17.90
22.35
26.33
35.58

3
Allahabad Museum, Allahabad
5.64
5.51
7.14
8.75
3.94

4
Indian Museum, Kolkata
25.85
11.13
22.41
20.55
9.91

5
Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad
24.15
22.52
24.49
24.00
26.70

6
Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata
10.28
10.42
34.09
47.84
8.75

7
National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata
67.63
67.39
85.71
84.75
77.95

Government has taken up capacity building of museum professionals including curators to improve standards of Indian Museums. During the period 2012-2017, a total of 107 museum professionals have been provided specialised training.

The Ministry of Culture has taken up a project named as JATAN in collaboration with C-DAC, Pune for creating an online digital repository of museum collections on the national portal www.museumsofindia.gov.in for the museums under the administrative control of Ministry of Culture. Digitization and uploading on the portal is a continuous process. Till now, 1,08,881 art objects have been digitized and uploaded on the portal.

This information was given by Minister of State (IC) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

*****

Hindustani78 · Feb 7, 2018

Ministry of Culture07-February, 2018 15:13 IST
Conservation work of the Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid at Delhi is not a protected monument of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). However, on receipt of request from the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, ASI has taken up essential conservation work of the Masjid

This information was given by Minister of State (IC) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

*****

Ministry of Culture
07-February, 2018 15:12 IST
The organizations under Culture Ministry are taking various measures to promote Indian Culture and Traditions: Culture Minister

The organizations under the Ministry of Culture are taking various measures to introduce people to Indian culture and traditions. The Government of India has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with headquarters at Patiala, Nagpur, Udaipur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Dimapur and Thanjavur to introduce people to Indian culture through folk dances performed by the artists from various States in their programmes & Sanskriti Mahotsavs. The Ministry of Culture provides grants to various organizations across all the places in India for holding of Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, Symposia, Festivals, Exhibitions, Production of Dance, Drama-Theatre, Music etc to disseminate information about Indian culture and traditions to public. The National School of Drama also conducts various outreach/extension programmes, production oriented theatre workshops and also organizes theatre festivals like Bharat Rang Mahotsav, Bal Sangam, Jashne Bachpan, Poorvotar festival to reach people and helps in introducing to Indian culture and traditions to masses.

This information was given by Minister of State (IC) for Culture and Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

*****

Hindustani78 · Feb 13, 2018

Ministry of Culture
13-February, 2018 15:43 IST
World Class amenities being provided at 100 Adarsh Smaraks: Culture Minister

Nearly One Crore artists have registered till date on the central portal under National Mission on Cultural Mapping of India

Continuing its endeavour to promote India’s glorious culture and Heritage, the Ministry of Culture, Government India is committed to showcase India’s cultural vibrancy to the entire world. Addressing media persons in New Delhi today on Budget 2018 and achievements of Ministry of Culture, Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and MoS for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that there is an urgent and pressing need to re-connect the people-especially the youth- with their indigenous culture, its multi-faceted nature, magnificence, opulence and historical importance in the context of India as a Nation.

Dr. Mahesh Sharma further informed that the Budget Allocation of the Ministry of Culture has been increased by about 4% in 2018-19. The Budget allocation of Ministry of Culture for 2018-19 is increased by 104 crore (i.e Rs 2843 crore) in comparison with previous budget (i.e Rs 2,738.47 crore). Out of the total financial allocation, the Archaeological Survey of India has been allocated Rs 974.56 crore, which is 5.42 per cent more than the 2017-18 allocation.

The Culture Minister explained that a massive exercise has been taken up by Culture Ministry such as 100 Adarsh Monuments, E-ticketing facility for all ticketed Monuments, Cultural Mapping of India, Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, Ganga Mahotsav, 8th Theatre Olympiad, Festival of India aboard, Digitisation etc. to popularize Indian culture especially among the youth.

Dr. Mahesh Sharma expressed gratitude towards the Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley for giving special emphasis to creating World Class Amenities in Iconic ASI Protected monuments. The excerpts of the Budget speech of Union Finance Minister pertains to the Adarsh Monuments is as follows:

Budget Announcement:

“India is blessed with an abundance of tourist attractions. It is proposed to develop ten prominent tourist sites into Iconic Tourism destinations by following a holistic approach involving infrastructure and skill development, development of technology, attracting private investment, branding and marketing. In addition, tourist amenities at 100 Adarsh monuments of the Archaeological Survey of India will be upgraded to enhance visitor experience.”

-- Union Finance Minister

World Class Amenities in Iconic ASI Protected monuments

Budget speech by Hon’ble Finance Minister highlighted amenities to be provided in the following iconic ASI monuments:

- Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri, Agra (U.P);
- Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Aurangabad (Maharashtra);
- Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutb Minar and Purana Qila (All Delhi);
- Khajuraho group of temples (Madhya Pradesh);
- Hampi group of monuments (Karnataka);
- Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu);
- Sun Temple, Konark (Odisha); and
- Golkonda Fort, Hyderabad (Telangana)

Efforts will be taken to improve visitor experience holistically by creating amenities and by laying special emphasis on following aspects with the support of local authorities and communities alike:

Cleanliness within and around the monument;
Make monuments and their buffers polythene free;
Improve connectivity and access to the monument;
Attract private investment for providing visitor amenities; and
Use of technology in interpretation and dissemination of information

In view of the abovementioned budget announcement, Dr. Mahesh Sharma disclosed that the ASI has already started working towards conservation and providing world class amenities in 10 monuments. Remaining monuments (Ajanta and Ellora Caves, and Golkonda Fort) preparation of design of amenities in full swing (designs, estimates, etc.) to be cleared by March, 2018.

Status of sites where work is ongoing is as follows:

Taj Mahal: All amenities related proposals cleared by ASI. Major ongoing works include:

- - Improved ticketing and queue management system and installation of turnstyles along Eastern and Western gateways of Taj complex.
  - Special facilities for high value ticket holders.
  - Creating slots (3 hour each) for visitor’s entry.
  - Closure of south gate for entry proposed, exit is permitted.
  - Ticket fee to be revised from Rs. 40 to Rs. 50.
  - Following the recommendations of NEERI report, special ticket of Rs. 200 for the entry to main mausoleum to be introduced shortly. Idea is not to make money but to ensure the protection of built fabric and better crowd management.
  - Development of greenery in Taj Corridor area between Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
  - Night viewing from Mehtab Bagh, and
  - Coordination with Ministry of Tourism, ADA and local Police for handling lapka culture.

Red Fort: Nearly 48 ongoing works related to the conservation of monuments (26 works), refurbishment of British period Barrack buildings to incorporate 6 museums and exhibitions, development of gardens and landscapes (7 works) and scientific cleaning of monuments (9 works) including retrieval of paintings from the ceiling of Chhata Bazar. Major works include:

- - Conservation of Mughal Period buildings,
  - Development of landscapes,
  - CPWD has been assigned the work to develop end-to-end electrical solutions within the Fort and illumination and projection mapping on Lahori Gate.
  - Four exhibitions are being organised in Red Fort:

1857- India’s First War of Independence
Contribution of India in World War-I,
Netaji Shubhash Chandra Bose and INA, and
Exhibition on Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel

Purana Qila: NBCC Proposal for developing amenities and improvement of lake in front. Prominent works include:

- - Development of Parking,
  - Ticket Counter,
  - Souvenir Kiosk,
  - Food Kiosk,
  - Lake-side pathway,
  - Landscaping,
  - Desilting and cleaning of lake.

Work to begin shortly. ASI has exposed the buried archaeological remains inside the fort. Conservation of the exposed remains has started.

Qutb Minar: Yatra.com Proposal for developing amenities include:

- - Re-development of Parking,
  - Ticket Counter,
  - Souvenir Kiosk,
  - Food court,
  - Interpretation Centre,
  - Toilets,
  - Landscaping,
  - Signage and
  - Illumination.

Work to begin shortly. ASI has initiated the conservation works within the monument.

Humayun’s Tomb: In collaboration with AKTC, work for providing amenities, including an interpretation centre, cafeteria, parking, souvenir shop, etc., is in full swing.

Khajuraho Group of temples: Works related to amenities take up with the support of Indian Oil Foundation (IOF) under NCF Scheme. Proposal includes:

- - Development of Parking,
  - Ticket Counter,
  - Souvenir Kiosk,
  - Food court,
  - Interpretation Centre,
  - Toilets,
  - Landscaping and
  - Signage.

Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha: Works related to amenities take up with the support of Indian Oil Foundation (IOF) under NCF Scheme. Proposal includes:

- - Development of Parking,
  - Ticket Counter,
  - Souvenir Kiosk,
  - Food court,
  - Interpretation Centre,
  - Toilets,
  - Landscaping and signage.

Agra Fort, Hampi Group of Monuments, Shore Temple Mahabalipuram and Golkonda Fort: Phase I works already started by respective SAs (Superintending Archaeologist). Phase I works include amenities such as signages, dust bins, ramps and pathways, drinking water facilities and cleanliness within monuments.

Dr. Mahesh Sharma also briefed the press about the ongoing plan of action for creating World Class Amenities at 100 Adarsh Smaraks such as Toilet blocks, Signages, Drinking water facilities, Pathways and ramps (for the differently abled), Seating benches, Dust bins, Improved parking facilities, Ticket counters and better queue management, Landscaping, etc. He further informed that the ASI has begun the task of providing amenities (drinking water, benches, dust bins, ramps and pathways and cleanliness) in 27 Adarsh monuments (in Phase I). For 73 remaining Adarsh monuments, proposals are being cleared. He also informed that the WAPCOS, NPCC and NBCC have been proposed for selection for the task of designing and executing amenities in all 100 monuments (Toilets, Cafeteria, Souvenir shop, food court, Illumination and Parking). WAPCOS and TCIL have begun the construction / refurbishment of toilet blocks in 218 protected monuments. The work of Securing monuments and archaeological sites by providing boundary walls to thwart any encroachments and illegal occupation of monument premises is also underway. Work of providing boundary walls in nearly 200 monuments has been given to WAPCOS and TCIL.

The Culture Minister also gave details about the scheme of Cultural Mapping which is being implemented with an outlay of Rs.490 Crores over the next three years in 622 Districts. In this, all the artists in every corner of the country are being registered on the central portal; and through a competitive process they will be divided into various categories. This will not only help provide assistance to these artists but will also help to preserve those arts and crafts which are on the verge of becoming instinct. Nearly One Crore such artists have already registered with the portal, the Culture Minister explained.

The Culture Minister stated that three new museums will be opened i.e. one at Allahabad on the theme of Kumbh Mela, Virtual museum on Lord Rama in Ayodhya and a museum in Gorakhpur highlighting local culture.

*****

Hindustani78 · Feb 14, 2018

Fort at Bandhavgarh

“It suggests Lord Rama built the fort and gifted it to Lakshman.” Down the ages, Bandhavgarh Fort remained a stronghold of various dynasties. “Mauryans from 3rd Century BC; Vakataka from 3rd-5th, Sengars from 5th onwards, Kalachuris from 10th century. In the 13th Century, the Baghels took over, stayed on before shifting capital to Rewa in 1617. The last inhabitants left the fort in 1935.” The fort was deserted and animals took over. The ruins include the large reclining statue of Vishnu (Seshasaayi), stables, a temple and man-made waterholes. The forested Bandhavgarh, with its beautiful landscape and breath-stopping views became a private game-hunting reserve for the Maharaja of Rewa. Post independence, Rewa State merged with Madhya Pradesh, ruler Marthand Singh turned conservationist and asked the Indian government to declare it a national park. In 1967, 105 sq.kms were marked as reserve forest, more areas were added to the Tala range of the habitat under Project Tiger, and in 1991 Bandhavgarh was declared a tiger sanctuary. “Kabir, poet-saint of the 14th century spent a few years there, meditating and writing his famous dohas,” says Karun. “Tansen started his prodigious musical journey under the royalty here.”

Hindustani78 · Feb 15, 2018

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu visiting the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, in New Delhi on February 14, 2018.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the gathering during his visit to the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, in New Delhi on February 14, 2018.

Hindustani78 · Feb 16, 2018

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/arvind-jamkhedkar-to-head-ichr/article22765281.ece

NEW DELHI, February 15, 2018 22:33 IST
Updated: February 15, 2018 22:45 IST

Archaeologist and historian Arvind P. Jamkhedkar will be the next Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).

He will replace Prof. K. Sudershan Rao, whose term as ICHR chief was mired in controversy. The post fell vacant after Prof. Rao’s retirement.

Prof. Jamkhedkar is at present Chancellor of Deccan College, Pune, known in academic circles for its archaeology department.

He completed his doctorate in Ancient Indian Culture from Deccan College in 1966, after having earned a masters degree in Sanskrit from the University of Pune in 1960. Titled ‘Cultural History from the Vasudevahindi’, his thesis was a study of the Jain Prakrit text Vasudevahindi.

Prof. Jamkhedkar, who taught at Dhule, Nagpur and Mumbai, was vice-president of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai from 2007 to 2013. He is also editor of the Journal of Asiatic Society of Mumbai.

Prof. Jamkhedkar was selected as National Lecturer in Archaeology by the University Grants Commission in 1984. He has published 13 monographs/contributions to excavation reports and 50 research articles, apart from about 20 articles in Marathi. As an archaeologist, Prof. Jamkhedkar has conducted 19 excavations at different sites in Maharashtra.

Critics had claimed that the former ICHR chief, Prof. Sudershan Rao, who had taught at Kakatiya University, Warangal, did not have peer-reviewed publications and was not a suitable candidate for the prestigious post. During his tenure, he had also announced a plan to investigate whether the Ram Sethu was “man-made” or “natural”.

Hindustani78 · Feb 23, 2018

Ministry of Culture
23-February, 2018 17:39 IST
Seven days cultural extravaganza ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ under ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ begins in Madhya Pradesh tomorrow

To celebrate the idea of unity in diversity, Ministry of Culture is organising a Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav under the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat matrix in Madhya Pradesh beginning February 24 for a duration of 7 days. The States paired with Madhya Pradesh are Nagaland and Manipur.

The Mahotsav will cover a profusion of art forms from classical and folk music and dance, theatre to literature and the visual arts and would offer the chance to experience the best in established and emerging virtuosity.A handloom and handicrafts-utsav is part of the proposed event. The gastronomic culture of Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and several other partnering states will be showcased through a food festival.

Inauguration and curtain raiser for the media and other stake-holders has been planned on February 24th at the Man Mandir Fort from 12 a.m. to 1 p.m. A small performance on that occasion will showcase the unique leitmotif of the Mahotsav.

The Mahotsav will be spread across the following venues in Madhya Pradesh:

· The Man Mandir Fort and few other chosen venues at Gwalior

February 24-25

· The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya at Bhopal

February 26-27

· The Lal Baag Palace at Indore

February 28

· Holi Interlude

March 1-2

· Sheesh Mahal/Betwa river-side at Orchha

March 3

· Maharaja ki Chhatri, Shivpuri

March 4

At Gwalior

‘Dhurv Pad Se Dhrupad’, a festival dedicated to the Dhrupad Guru – Shishya parampara at Man Mandir palace

Day 1 (February 24)

Day 2 (February 25)

Invocation by Dhrupad Kendra, Gwalior

Invocation Dhrupad Kendra, Gwalior

Dagar Vani by Pandit Abhijeet Sukhdane with Pandit Sanjay Aagle on the Pakhawaj

Performance by young artists –

*Sumeet Anand from the Guahar Vani Dhrupad tradition.

*Yakhlesh Baghel and Anuj Pratap Singh, Dhrupad Jugalbandi.

Mallick brothers from the Darbhanga Gharana of Dhrupad

Rudra Veena recital by Ustad Bahauddin Dagar

Time 6 pm – 9 pm

Also at the venue

‘Celebration of our plural traditions, ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’: -

Folk Music and Dance from Nagaland Manipur and other North-Eastern States.
Handloom and Handicraft Utsav organised by the Zonal Cultural Centres in partnership with state governments. Live demonstration of different crafts from Nagaland and Manipur.
Screening of films on the cultural traditions of Nagaland and Manipur and other North Eastern states.
Exhibition on conservation of heritage by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Food festival with traditional cuisines from different states with special focus on Nagaland and Manipur.

Time: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

At Bhopal

The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya

Day 1 (February 26th)

Day 2 (February 27th )

Folk fusion of Guru Rewben from the Tangkhul Naga tribe of Manipur

Khamba Thoibi dance from Manipur

Pung Cholam dance dance of Manipur

Performance of Lai Haroba from Manipur

(merry-making festival of the Meiteis tribe)

Folk dance of Zeliang tribe from Nagaland

Dhrupad Bhakti Sangeet with composition of diverse saints such as Kabir by Padamshree gurus Gundecha Bandhus accompanied by shishyas Sanjeev Jha and Manish Kumar

Kuki dance from the Kuki tribe of Nagaland

Dagar Vani by Pandit Nirmalaya Dey

Kathak by Durga Arya

Time 6.30 am – 9 pm

Also at the venue

‘Celebration of our plural traditions, ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’

‘Samvaad’, a literary meet with writers and poets from Manipur, Nagaland and other North East States.
Folk Music and Dance from Nagaland Manipur and other North-Eastern States.
Handloom and Handicraft Utsav organised by the Zonal Cultural Centres in partnership with state governments. Live demonstration of different crafts from Nagaland and Manipur
Exhibition and screening of films on the cultural traditions of Nagaland and Manipur and other North Eastern states.

Time: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

At Indore

The Lal Baag Palace

February 28

Manipuri Raas Leela

Kathak by Jaikishan Maharaj

Dance drama on ‘Langmeidong’, by the Centre for Youth and Cultural Activities, Manipur

War dance, Chang Lo, from the Chang tribe of Nagaland

Haveli Sangeet by Padma Bhushan Acharya Gokulotsav ji Maharaj

With a break of two days for Holi, the same pattern will be repeated at Orchha and Shivpuri where the Zonal Cultural Centres will showcase traditional music, dance and folk theatre forms from across the country with a special thrust on Nagaland and Manipur, the two paired States under the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat matrix.

*****

Hindustani78 · Feb 26, 2018

Special Correspondent
MYSURU, February 26, 2018 00:24 IST
Updated: February 26, 2018 00:24 IST

The restoration and repair work of some of the major temples on the Mysuru palace premises will be completed in the next three months.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...e-premises-to-be-restored/article22852943.ece

This is the first time in recent years that such steps have been approved on this scale

The district administration has authorised the restoration and renovation of major temples on the Mysuru palace premises that are managed by the Muzrai Department.

This is the first time in recent years that the restoration measures have been approved on this scale and will extend the lifespan of the structures, some of which have a hoary past.

While Shwetha Varahaswami temple has been allocated ₹45 lakh for the work, ₹18 lakh has been sanctioned for the restoration of Prasanna Krishnaswamy temple. The Shwetha Varahaswami temple was originally constructed during the period of Chikkadevaraja Wadiyar who regined from 1673 to 1704 A.D. but was rebuilt in 1809. The Prasanna Krishnaswamy temple was completed in 1829 A.D.

Similarly, the conservation of Anjaneyaswamy and Ganapathi temples have been allotted ₹8.5 lakh, while ₹16 lakh has been released for the restoration of Chandramouleshwara temple.

The restoration of Bhuvaneshwari temple is expected to cost ₹68 lakh while the restoration of Gayatatridevi temple is estimated to cost the authorities around ₹77 lakh. These two temples are relatively recent and were completed in the early 1950s.

The single largest chunk of allocation has gone to Trinayaneshwaraswami temple whose restoration will cost ₹84 lakh, according to authorities. This temple is said to have existed since the 16th century A.D.

Of the seven temples, the work on the first phase of the restoration has been completed in case of Shwetha Varahaswami temple and Gayatridevi temple and the new allocation is for the second phase of the civil works.

Three months

The district administration has notified that the restoration works of all the temples should commence by the end of February and has set a time frame of three months for their completion. The civil works will be subjected to third party inspection to ascertain the quality of the restoration undertaken and would be audited by experts before the release of final instalment of the funds.

The Deputy Commissioner, who is also the administrator of the Chamundeshwari Temple, has streamlined the temple management atop the Chamundi Hills. Besides introducing a few new measures, it has been decided to offer breakfast and dinner for dasoha or mass feeding of the devotees. This is in addition to lunch which was being served as part of Dasoha, all these years. Breakfast will be served from 7.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and dinner from 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with effect from March 1 and it will be open only to pilgrims and tourists who visit the temple and not local residents and the vendors.

Hindustani78 · Feb 27, 2018

Ministry of Culture
27-February, 2018 18:17 IST
A Unique Exhibition showcasing 13 unseen copies of “The Holy Quran” inaugurated at National Museum in New Delhi, today

National Museum- a prestigious Cultural organization under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for the first time is exhibiting a collection of "The Holy Quran" scripted in different calligraphic styles and inscribed in different epochs i.e. from 7th CE to 19th CE. The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr Nasim Akhtar, former Curator (Manuscripts) of the National Museum and world famous scholar and Manuscriptologist. This exhibition "The Holy Quran" will be on show from 27th February 2018 to 31st March 2018.

Speaking at the event, Dr B R Mani, the Director General, National Museum and Vice Chancellor, National Museum Institute, New Delhi. said “This exhibition explains the emergence and proliferation of various styles of Calligraphies and scripts. The exhibition is unique as it showcases thirteen unique and unseen copies of Holy Quran. It has on display Holy Quran inscribed in major calligraphies like Kufic, Naskh, Raihan, Thulth and Bihari. The Bihari script is an Indian contribution to the world. Due to its stylistic appearance, this Quran occupies a rare position in the history.”

As the history speaks and the collection of the National Museum depicts, many beautifully illuminated copies of the Holy Quran were produced under the patronage of Muslim Imperial courts. The royal seals on these holy manuscripts tell that they were endorsed by the Emperor themselves and these copies travelled from one hand to the other. These manuscripts of Quran reflect the eloquence of the calligrapher and the refined tastes of the patrons who commissioned them.

This exhibition is 10th in the series of exhibitions titled “From The Reserves” in which 5 to 10 objects from various reserve collections with NM are displayed for a fortnight. This initiative is to get the visitors acquainted with a large number of objects which are not in general display and also to attract the attention on many significant art pieces which generally remain out of focus.

*****
The former Curator (Manuscripts) of the National Museum and world famous scholar and Manuscriptologist, Dr. Nasim Akhtar inaugurating the tenth exhibition entitled “The Holy Quran” from the reserve collection of National Museum, in New Delhi on February 27, 2018.

The former Curator (Manuscripts) of the National Museum and world famous scholar and Manuscriptologist, Dr. Nasim Akhtar addressing at the inauguration of the tenth exhibition entitled “The Holy Quran” from the reserve collection of National Museum, in New Delhi on February 27, 2018.

The former Curator (Manuscripts) of the National Museum and world famous scholar and Manuscriptologist, Dr. Nasim Akhtar visiting the tenth exhibition entitled “The Holy Quran” from the reserve collection of National Museum, in New Delhi on February 27, 2018.

Search

Ancient Temples and Mosques under Archeological Survey of India

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Hindustani78

BANNED

Similar threads

Latest posts

Pakistan Defence Latest Posts

Pakistan Affairs Latest Posts

Military Forum Latest Posts

Country Latest Posts