Appeal for restoration of Gurjar-era monuments

Jammu: A frontal organisation of Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday expressed shock over deteriorating condition of monuments built by Gurjar-Pratihara kings in various parts of the country between 6th to 11th centuries and called for their preservation and restoration.

The Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation appealed to all the stake-holders to "restore the glory of these world class pieces of archietecture including buildings, forts, sculpture, temples, and and pieces of arts during the time of Gurjar-Pratihara kings". Foundation secretary Javaid Rahi said: "Hundreds of prestigious monuments of the Gurjar period are lying in shambles and facing a great threat of extinction in different states of India". He appealed to the community members, organisations, trusts, government and NGOs to join hands to restore the memorials of their ancestors which are endangered but still portraying vibrant and lively pictures of the Gurjar era in India. The notable monuments of that period "lying in shambles include Giraispur`s Aathkhamba, Aghra`s monuments in Punjab, Gagat Sukh monuments of Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, Gitala monuments, the Sawi temples of Rajasthan, Viswaroopa form of Vishnu and marriage of Siva and Parvati from Kannauj, Aawa`s Kamlishewara temple, Tandooli architecture near Agra, Kardan temples of Gujarat, and others". Rahi said that the Gurjar-Pratihara kings were great builders, and the most famous ruler of the dynasty, Raja Mihir Bhoj, built a numbers of forts, building, and temples. He said the foundation has appealed to the chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and other states with a plea to start restoration of all historic buildings of the Gurjar period but also observed, "a community initiative is also required to rebuild some of the historic buildings". He said they also appealed to the union culture ministry to declare all these as "protected monuments" and to take step for their restoration. He asked the community members to help the organisation in identifying more such "under threat monuments built by Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty so that the issue of their restoration could be taken up with government of India or other relevant agencies". IANS