“A proud Indian, I strive to protect the diverse traditions of my land.” Though many people make such proclamations about the cultural heritage of the country, the truth is often quite the opposite. Much has been said about respecting the national culture and preserving the traditional forms in fashion, media, and other social institutions. In contrast, there is extreme carelessness towards prominent buildings, indicated by stains on the walls of Red Fort. Often the chai-walas casually walking by Ashoka Stambh throw away their pan masala packets.
Do we truly respect our heritage?
We make many promises as we stretch our right hand and take an oath for the country. One line from the national pledge is dedicated to tradition: “I love my country, and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.” This points to the level of care that our built heritage requires and deserves. Several old monuments continue to stand tall and enchant visitors with their beauty.
History has gifted us with magnificent architectural works. Centuries back, kings and queens would order the labourers to bring to life their artistic vision. One of the greatest rulers of India, Ashoka met the great Romans and had good relations with the Greeks. In his prime, he erected marvellous structures, including the famous Stambh of Sarnath. Today, we should feel fortunate to witness the legacy of the legendary Mauryan king. Built in the 11th century, Rani ki Vav is a spectacular monument of Gujarat. A stepwell that is fashioned like an inverted temple, the monument remains intact today. Rani ki Vav displays numerous carvings, one casually portraying a woman drying her hair. The hair dryer wasn’t invented until the 19th century. In the past, Indian women might have used a flask containing a few holes. Inside the flask, the aromatic smoke would not only dry the hair but also add fragrance. Rani ki Vav represents a technological achievement in storing water. Another structure demonstrating similar brilliance in craft lies among the Ellora Caves in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. There, one shall find the famous Kailasa Temple, a monolith carved straight from a mountain. Astonishingly, this “island” temple was created with such high precision back in the 8th century. All these structures fill history enthusiasts with delight. Witnessing their splendour, we shall be proud of the artistic legacy of India. These buildings deserve respect, but we find silly scribblings written on the walls or the entrance, which spoil the visitor experience. A masterpiece of the Mughal period, Humayun’s Tomb has become a haven for every photographer because of its symmetrical architecture.
Our forefathers lived through hard times but had a lively vision to create intricate monoliths, temples, mosques, and mausoleums. Apart from the patrons, the talent of the craftsmen of ancient times gave a unique colour to the architectural style of India. In the present, we are blessed with immense resources. What shall be the creation, if the vision of the olden days combines with the abundance of technology available today? The wonder of old monuments deserves our attention. Maybe it is time to distance ourselves from social networking sites and admire the marble used in Taj or the deep black flooring in the Padmanabhapuram Palace. It is a matter of pride that such ideas and excellent skills existed centuries ago. Then why are architectural marvels getting spoilt by the recklessness of people? At times, it appears that foreigners pay more attention to our heritage. What lessons are we teaching to the coming generations? When I visited Shaniwar Wada with my friend, I was heartbroken to see vendors throwing away garbage near the palace.
Still, the local bodies deserve appreciation for certain initiatives. Recently, it was reported that the ancient paintings on the walls of Elephanta Caves were in danger. A study indicated the damage caused by water vapour. It is impossible to control the sea breeze. However, human breath contains a lot of moisture which became the focus of the problem. Local authorities took a sensible step and declared a limited number of tourists per day.
There is hope. Preserving heritage buildings is not the duty of the local governing bodies alone. The responsibility lies on us too. As citizens who take pride in our heritage, we must teach the importance of preserving it to the youth. We must be less ignorant and spread awareness about the vulnerable state of historical architecture. It is important to point out and correct the wrongdoings of the passersby who disrespect the art created by our ancestors. Sadly, people visit old monuments primarily to capture pictures for social media posts. While visiting historical places, we must take a deep breath and appreciate the national heritage; let the old forms of architecture take us back to the times when our forefathers helped India stand with pride, when their mighty swords touched the glory of the sky, and when their brave and handsome horses galloped through the thick mist. Only we, the people, can preserve the honour of the country. Sare jahan se acha, Hindustan hamara.
Karan Sahai
I am an aspiring filmmaker, actor and screenwriter. I love to explore different cultures, appreciate art and have healthy conversations with like-minded people. I am a lover of heritage and like to dive into my world of deep thinking. I like to keep myself active through sports and look forward to experiencing surprises in life. Maybe we could sit and talk together.
