ARCHAEOLOGY, GAZETTEERS & COPYRIGHT
The Archaeological Survey of India continued to give all possible attention, within the available funds, to all its major activities which includes: (i) Preservation of Monuments, Chemical Preservation and research and maintenance of gardens, (ii) Explorations and Excavations, (iii) Epigraphy, (iv) Museums, (v) Architectural Survey of monuments, (vi) Work outside India, and (vii) Publications.
Preservation of Monuments Major conservation work was done to the Dwarakadhish temple at Dwaraka (District Jamnagar, Gujarat). The damaged stones of the sanctum and the sabhamandapa of the main temple along with a few pillars have been renewed. The damaged monuments, Syed Usman Mosque and Darga Sameh Burhani at Ahmedabad, are being repaired. Extensive repairs were executed to the group of monuments at Arthuna, District Banswara, and the Shiva temple at Deo Somnath, District Dungarpur, both in Rajasthan. Repairs were also carried out to the Rana Kumbha Palace, Chitorgarh Fort.
At Ajanta and Ellora the roofs of the caves were rendered watertight and contour drains were constructed on the top to clear rain water. Attention was also given to the main Elephanta Cave. Repairs were also carried out to the Madhukeshwara temple, Banavasi, Ratnatraya Basanti, Bilgi and Chowtar's Palace, Mudabidri, in Mysore State.
In Delhi, the strengthening of the foundation of the Qutab Minar by pressure grouting with cement is an progress. At Purana Qila the cells in the walls were repaired, bituminous
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paths were laid and extensive clearance of debris was done Repairs to the Jama Masjid are also being carried out by replacement of damaged stones in the masonry. Repairs were also executed to the Tughlakabad Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Khairul Manazil Mosque, Kotla Feroz Shah and Lal Kot. Further, sheikh Chilli's tomb at Thanesar (Haryana) and the Bhatinda Fort (punjab) were also attended to.
At Thanjavur, the top portion of the tower of the Brihadishwara temple was watertightened and the uneven floor of the Amman shrine rest. The flooring of the Airavateswara temple at Darasuram was repaired. Repairs were also carried out to the Rock-cut temple at Mahendravadi (North Arcot District), Brihadiswara temples, Gangaikondacholapuram and the Fort at Gingee.
At Nalanda (District Patna, Bihar) cracks on walls of Temple site No. 3 were repaired and tops of votive stupas in front of Temple No. 12 were watertightened. Repairs were also executed to the Nirvana temple, Kushinagar (District Deoria, U.P), the Buddhist remains at Sarnath (District Varnasi, U. P.) Iftikar's tomb, Chunar (District Patna) and the Mauryan Palace at Kumarahar, Patna.
The exposed dwelling pits at Burzahom (Kashmir) were provided with shelters for protecting them from weather. The loose mansonry of the Dera temple at Babore (District Udhampur, Jammu) was also reset. The Special repairs to the apsidal chaitya were continued at Harwan (Srinagar, Kashmir)
Chemical Preservation Concerted efforts have been made for chemical preservation of monuments and wall-paintings which are extant in many of them. Particular mention may be made to the work of chemical conservation of the Sun Temple of Konarak, where ochreous clay suspensions are in use for preventing the weathering of stones. The monuments at Bhubaneswar and the temples at
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Khaiuraho are being chemically treated and preserved in phases. The marble work in Red Fort, Delhi, has claimed special attention for its conservation. For preservation of the wall-paintings at Ajanta and Bagh, humidity and temperature data are being collected. Besides undertaking a programme of documentation of paintings, large-scale work of repairs to painted plaster is also in progress at Ajanta. The extensive wall-paintings in serval monuments of the South, such as the Kailasanatha Temple, Kancheepuram and the Brihadiswara Temple, Tanjore, have been systematically preserved from deterioration. Efforts have also been made for tackling problems of preservation of ancient brick structures. Technological studies of excavated sites and monuments have been undertaken and excavated antiquities and museum objects chemically treated and preserved in large numbers.
Maintenance of Gardens At Purana Qila, Delhi after clearance of extensive debris the scheme of a garden was executed with well laid-out lawns and paths giving an attractive look to the monuments. The gardens in the other monuments in Delhi and in Agra, Deeg, Ajmer, Khajuraho and Bijapur were maintained in a presentable condition.
At Velha Goa a pump was installed with distributing pipes for watering the gardens. The fencing of the Ali II Rauza garden, Bijapur was completed. For developing the gardens at Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, Aurangabad, a vertical turbine pump has been procured.
Explorations As a result of explorations, Early Stone Age sites yielding unifacial choppers on trap, were discovered at Parle and Wakoli between Mahad and Poladpur in District Kolaba in Maharashtra. During the course of exploration in Bangarpet Taluk, District Kolar, Mysore, a neolithic site at Ramasagara and a number of megalithic sites were discovered at Mallapahalli, Naihanapalli.
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Allikunta Kadiremahalli, Parandahalli, Bitigirahalli, Kilkambi, Chakrabanda and Doddakala. In Ernad Taluk, of District Malappuram in Kerala, a Topikal, a number of medieval sculptures and bronzes and fragments of merals were noticed. Sherds of the Northern Black Polished and red wares were noticed at Balipati, in District Saran, Bihar; terracottas and sculptures were noticed at the village Tarwanigarh n the same District.
Excavations Excavation were resumed at Purana Qila in New Delhi for the third season. The area between Sher Mandal and Qila-i-Kuhna mosque was taken up for excavation with a new to uncovering the remains of the Mughal period. Sherds of glazed wares, fragments of Ming pottery from China, a few broken pieces of fine, paper-thin local Mughal jars, several coins and fragments of terracotta figurines are some of the important finds. A small-scale excavation in front of Cave No. 32 at Ellora in District Aurangabad, Maharashtra, brought to light remains of an ancient temple. The excavation is to be resumed to expose the entire temple-complex. At Burzahom, in District Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, excavation were continued, standing specimens of stone and bone tools. Excavations have to uncovering further details of the habitation-pattern of the Harappan and later occupants of the site.
Epigraphy The inscriptions copies from Aisuru and Biligi in Siddhapur Taluk in District North Kanara, Mysore, have revealed the existence of an important centre of Jaina religious activity including the the construction of Ratnatrayabasadi at the instance of the famous Jaina pontiff Bhatt-Akalanka and the installation of the image of Neminatha, Parsvanatha and Vardhamana. The lists of inscriptions collected during the year 1970-71 were finalised.
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Among the newly-discovered epigraphs mention may be made of a few inscriptions from Gundnapur near Banavasi, District South Kanara, Mysore, belonging to the early Kadamba Dynasty.
Fifty-three Arabic and Persian inscriptions from different parts of Haryana and Punjab were copied.
Museums Documentation work in the Site-Museums was taken up and the Photographing of antiquities in the Archaeoogical Museums at Hampi, Helebid and Bijapur has been completed.
Archaeological Museum, Amravati A new site-museum is being set up at Amravati for displaying the select sculptures and friezes together with the excavated Buddhist relics and other important finds from Amravati and the neighbouring sites.
Archaeological Museums, Delhi Fort The old site-museum is being thoroughly reorganised and a period- gallery called 'Bahadur Shah Gallery' is being put up with the exhibits belonging to the time of the last Mughal emperor.
Archaeological Museum, Nalanda The bronze gallery was reorganised and concealed lighting was provided in all the show-cases. Index cards of all the antiquities were prepared.
Archaeological Museum, Bijapur The re-arrangement of the galleries and photographing of the accessioned antiquities was completed.
Archaeological Museum, Goa Labels giving a brief history of Goa and the antiquities in the Museum were put up.
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Archaeological Museum, Tipu Sultan Palace, Srirangapatna Two hundred copper coins belonging to the period of Hyder Ali were chemically treated.
Architectural survey of Monuments A Survey of temples in the Districts of Anantapur and Cuddapah revealed the presence in some temples of paintings comparable to Lepakshi and Sompalle. A careful study of the architectural features of the temples at Lepakshi and Sompalle showed a pre-Vijayanagara nucleus for the complexes. Definite indications of the spread of Chola architectural tradition were found in the temples at Attirale and Nandalpur.
A similar survey of temples was carried out in parts of South Kanara District, Mysore State, which revealed that the A earlier earlier tradition of temple-architecture in the District was very similar to that of Kerala. Further, the Tulunadu is rich in apsidal temples. Circular shrines are popular in Kerala.
Work outside India Preservation of Buddhist remains at Bamiyan, Afghanistan, was commenced in 1969-70. A team of experts is being sent every year to carry out repairs which are in progress. The conservation includes both structural and chemical preservation of rock-cut caves, sculpturees and painting the paintings was strengthened. The work is the ceiling and niches etc. have been cleaned and preserved. The to be resumed in 1972.
Publications Several publications relating to epigraphy, viz. Epigraphia Indica, Volume XXXVIII and South Indian Inscriptions Several publications relating to epigraphy, viz. Epigraphia Volumes XVI and XVIII are in various stages of printing. Epigraphia Indica, Arabic and Persian Supplement for the year 1969 is in the press and for the year 1970 is being finalised. An exhaustive index of inscriptions published in the Annual
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Reports on Indian Epigraphy is in the final stage of completion.' Indian Archaeology 1968-69 is in the final stages of printing and the Guide-books on Dig, Ajanta and Khajuraho are being reprinted. A guide to Amaravati is in the press. Ancient India No. 22 is being made press-ready.
COPYRIGHT India is a member of the Universal Copyright Convention And Berne Convention. Both the conventions were revised at the Diplomatic Conferences held at Paris in July, 1971. India also participated at an International Conference of State for the Protection of phonograms held at Geneva in October, 1971.
During 1971, 1338 Artistic and 384 Literary works were registered with the Copyright Office. The term of the Copyright Board, which was to expire on 24th December, 1971, has been extended for six months.
GAZETTEERS
Gazetteer of India The scheme envisages the revision of the first four volumes of the Imperial Gazetteer of India Volume I of the revised Gazetteer- "Country and People"-which was published in 1965, has been sold out A reprint of this Volume is expected to be published very shortly. Some of the chapters, of this volume such as 'The Religions of India' 'The Physiography of India', 'The Languages of India', etc. are being brought out in the form of booklets as they have a wider public appeal. The booklets on 'Social Structure of India' and 'India-The Languages', have been published in 1970-71. Volume II-"History and Culture"-is in the press and is expected to be published shortly. Volume III-"Economic Structure and Activities"-is being finally edited and made ready for the press. Most of the chapters of Volume IV- "Administration and Public Welfare"have been received from the contributors. The volumes are expected to be published during the Fourth Five-Year Plan. It
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has also been decided to bring out the Hindi version of Volume I of the Gazetteer of India.
The Gazetteer of Bhutan The compilation of the Gazetteer of Bhutan was taken up in collaboration with the Royal Government of Bhutan. The manuscript is expected to be ready for the press shortly.
The District Gazetteers More than half of the work relating to the District Gazetteers has already been completed. Out of 330 and odd District Gazetteers drafts of 184 have been completed, of which 157 have been approved for publication. The drafts of 97 Districts have already been published while the remaining are in various stages of publication. The entire work is expected to be completed by the end of the Fourth Plan. The Scheme was brought under the Central Sector from the State sector of the Plan, from 1969-70 with 100 per cent central assistance, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 60,000 (Rs. 44,000 for compilation and Rs. 16,000 for printing) per volume.
Who's Who of Indian Martyrs The publication of three Volumes containing brief life- sketches of those patriots who were hanged or killed during the country's struggle for freedom was taken up in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The first volume, which includes the biographical sketches of the patriots who sacrificed their lives after the Great Revolt of 1857, till India got her independence in 1947, was published in October, 1969, to synchronise with the Gandhi Centenary Celebrations. The second volume will cover all those patriots who lost their lives in the course of the struggle for the liberation of the French and Portuguese possession in India. It will also include the martyrs of the former Princely States. The third volume will deal exclusivey with the martyrs of the Great Revolt of 1857. The material received from various sources is being edited and made ready for the press.
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Financial Allocations The financial provision for the Survey is as follows:
(Rs. 000's)
Provision for Budget
Sl. 1971-72 Estimate
NO. Item for
Original Revised 1972-73
1 2 3 4 5
1 Archaeological
Survey of India
New Delhi.
Plan 20,32 16,00 29,75
Non-plan 1,91,54 1,78,09 2,14,47