Archaeology Dept to protect 7 tombs in Mewat

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 12

The Archaeology and Museum Department, Haryana, has proposed to take under State Protection a tomb complex comprising seven tombs of the 14th to 15th century AD, falling in the area of the Power Grid of India at Tauru in Nuh district.

The department has also initiated the legal process for taking possession of the Old tehsil in Nuh spread over more than 14 kanals built during the British period in 1872-73.

The proposal regarding the protection of the Tomb Complex, which is under the consideration of the Additional Chief Secretary, Archaeology and Museum, Dheera Khandelwal, is about the seven tombs exhibiting styles from the Tughlaq to Mughal eras.

“These seven tombs stand tall even today outside Tauru village on way to Jhirka near the Power House. The area is under the Power Grid of India. A school and the Electricity Department have even encroached the premises,” says the proposal moved by Banani Bhattacharyya, Deputy Director in the department.

Bhattacharyya said the entire structure of the complex was probably never developed in a holistic manner and the structures just happened to be built there one after the other over time.

At some stage, an attempt appears to have been made to provide it with a water body.

“Structurally, most monuments seem to be in a reasonable condition, except for the one that has cracks in it and a ‘chhattri’ which has collapsed. Time and vandalism have taken a toll on the facades and masonary walls,” she added.

Dheera Khandelwal said she had sought some details like revenue records of the site so that the process for State Protection of the monuments could be initiated.

As regards the State Protection of the Old Tehsil building of Nuh, the Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had approved this on June 15 this year, only the legal process for its possession has been initiated now.

“The structure is spread over 14 kanals and 8 marlas. Owing to its Lakhauri Brick Built structure, it becomes evident that it is more than 100 years old. The mention of this building is also found on page 144 of Punjab Gazetteer 1883-84,” said Bhattacharyya.

She added that being part of the rich heritage of Mewat and being an old structure, it falls within Section 2 (A) of the Punjab Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1964.