A Holistic Approach to Conserving India’s Monuments: Beyond Brick and Mortar

 A Holistic Approach to Conserving India’s Monuments: Beyond Brick and Mortar

(A blog for UPSC aspirants by Suryavanshi IAS)

Introduction

In his Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly urged citizens to remember India’s freedom fighters. While the sentiment is laudable, his approach—listing names and quoting select leaders—is as outdated as the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) conventional methods of heritage conservation. The ASI’s current strategy—identifying monuments, isolating them, and occasionally restoring them—falls short in preserving the rich, interconnected history they represent.

Given India’s vast and complex past, there is an urgent need for a more thoughtful, inclusive, and interdisciplinary approach to monument conservation—one that goes beyond structural repairs and engages with the living heritage around these sites.

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The Colonial Legacy in Conservation

The ASI’s conservation framework is rooted in colonial-era practices. British officials like John Marshall catalogued ancient structures (temples, stupas, forts, etc.) not just for historical interest but also as tools for governance. Marshall’s Conservation Manual (1923) advocated for extensive repairs and converting monument surroundings into manicured gardens—a practice still followed today.

However, this approach has limitations:

• Monuments are treated in isolation, disconnected from their cultural and ecological contexts.
• Many ASI-protected sites are crumbling due to neglect, as highlighted by audits and court rulings.
• Corporate adoption of monuments, while providing funds, risks commercializing heritage without deeper engagement.

Clearly, India needs a new conservation roadmap—one that integrates modern insights while respecting the past.

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Lessons from Gandhi and Ruskin: A People-Centric Approach

Mahatma Gandhi’s Sarvodaya (inspired by John Ruskin’s writings) offers key lessons:

• Monuments should serve the living, not just preserve the dead past.
• Conservation must improve lives of nearby communities and visitors.
• Interpretive materials should highlight the builders’ skills, resilience, and socio-cultural context.

This philosophy suggests that ASI’s new manual should:
✅ Focus on community involvement in conservation.
✅ Use monuments as educational tools to appreciate India’s diverse craftsmanship.
✅ Ensure tourism benefits locals economically and culturally.

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Interdisciplinary Insights for Modern Conservation

1. Translation Studies: Context Matters

Modern translators don’t just reproduce texts—they engage with historical context and evolving meanings. Similarly, ASI should:

• Acknowledge the gap between past and present when restoring monuments.
• Clearly mark modern interventions (like new bricks in old forts) to avoid misleading interpretations.
• Regularly review conservation materials to ensure they don’t harm ancient structures.

2. Wildlife Biology: Ecosystems Over Isolated Entities

Wildlife biologists conserve entire ecosystems, not just individual species. Similarly, ASI should:

• Study linkages between monuments and their surroundings (water bodies, forests, settlements).
• Remove unnecessary boundary walls that disconnect monuments from their natural settings.

3. Mycology: Small Monuments Matter

Fungi play a crucial role in breaking down and renewing organic matter. Likewise, small, neglected monuments (old city walls, stepwells, cenotaphs) can:

• Recharge groundwater (like ancient baolis).
• Boost local economies through tourism.
• Serve as public spaces fostering community bonding.

4. Economics: Value Beyond Aesthetics

Economists argue that value lies in function, not just appearance. ASI should:

• Restore functional systems (like natural ventilation in havelis) rather than superficial repainting.
• Highlight scarcity (e.g., endangered heritage crafts) to justify higher conservation budgets.
• Use "creative destruction"—repurposing submerged temples as underwater archaeology labs.

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Citizen’s Role: Making Conservation a Collective Effort

In a diverse nation like India, heritage conservation must be participatory:

• Educate yourself on monument histories.
• Learn to "read" stone inscriptions and architectural styles to understand deeper narratives.
• Challenge biases—monuments reflect both glory and oppression (e.g., colonial-era buildings).
• Advocate for policies that integrate heritage with urban planning.

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Conclusion: India as a "Monument Without Walls"

India’s heritage is not just about isolated structures—it’s a living, evolving tapestry of cultures, ecosystems, and memories. The ASI must adopt a holistic, interdisciplinary, and people-centric conservation model.

For UPSC aspirants, this issue is crucial for:

• GS Paper I (Indian Heritage & Culture)
• GS Paper III (Conservation & Environment)
• Essay & Ethics (Community Participation in Governance)

By reimagining conservation, we can ensure that India’s monuments remain not just relics of the past, but beacons for the future.

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(Suryavanshi IAS is a renowned mentor for UPSC aspirants. Follow for more insights on governance, history, and policy.)