Lack of concern and government funds, coupled with negligence shown by property owners, have brought most archaeological sites, bearing the mark of Mughal heritage, on the brink of destruction. At present, there are 448 such sites across the country, of which 103 are in Dhaka division. Some of these are 400-500 years old. The stamp of a glorious past is still visible on their worn-out walls. Most of these sites in the capital are in a dilapidated state. Some of them are being demolished, while others are being converted into commercial markets by influential persons. A multi-storey market has emerged on the west side of the Lalbagh Fort, thereby putting the very existence of the heritage site in danger.
The Independent found that some of these sites are still occupied by their owners. Other buildings, whose owners live elsewhere, are falling easy prey to illegal encroachers.
The Lalbagh Fort, located in the middle of the old part of Dhaka, is being encroached upon bit by bit. The walls of the fort are in a dilapidated condition. Heavy traffic movement just outside the fort has been causing plasters to fall off the wall at Kellar More area. The Dhaka City Corporation (South) has placed its garbage containers in the corner of the walls. When lifted for collection, these containers often bruise the walls, leaving gaping cracks.
Banners of political parties, signboards and posters have also found their way on the fort walls. The Kellar More crossing has also become a makeshift stand for rickshaws, autos and human haulers. Some people are also using the place as a parking lot, causing immense problems for tourists and local residents.
Abdul Malek, a shop owner of the area, said: “It’s a part of our national pride. The authorities should maintain it. But they seem reluctant to do their duty.”
While visiting the architectural relics of Old Dhaka’s Bara Katara and Chhoto Katara areas, it is difficult to pin-point Mughal era structures, supposed to be protected by the Department of Archaeology, among a confused heap of tall buildings and commercial establishments.
Several commercial establishments are located in Bara Katara, which were built to serve a cluster of inns for travellers. A large portion of the grand edifice has been destroyed due to expansion of a madrasa on its premises. New buildings have come up dovetailing the walls of Bara Katara. If immediate steps are not taken, this building will soon cease to exist.
Various business establishments and slums cover Chhoto Katara. A number of shop owners in the area, when asked, said they do not know about the structure’s historical importance.
“No one has told us anything about its importance. We’ve been doing business here for a long time. What can we do to prevent the gradual destruction of Chhoto Katara?,” said Kashem Mollah, a shop owner.
The DoA is supposed to protect these sites from destruction. A number of DoA officials, however, rued that
they don’t have sufficient manpower, expertise and funds to conserve the archaeological sites.
Rakhi Roy, assistant director (antiquity) of the DoA, admitted their failure to repair and maintain the archaeological sites due to shortage of manpower and funds. “Many of these sites are in a bad shape as encroachers have
occupied much of their buffer zones,” she said.
“It’s very difficult for the DoA alone to conserve the sites. Coordination of other departments is also necessary in this regard,” she added.
About the conservation of Bara Katara, she said: “We’ve taken an approach of mutual understanding that the inhabitants won’t alter any part of it. If necessary, we will take steps for its repair and maintenance.”
She also said that they have taken the initiative with the aid of local residents, including local MPs, to reach a mutual understanding that no encroacher will occupy the sites.
Afroza Khan Mita, assistant director of the DoA, told The Independent that creation of public awareness is of paramount importance to conserve these sites. “Conservation of archaeological sites can also generate employment and business opportunities for local people. But nobody seems to understand that,” she said.
“Shortage of manpower is a great problem for conservation of these sites. At present, only one person watches over at least four to five sites. We don’t have the required expertise to work here,” she added.
She also said that the DoA has started organising awareness programmes, workshops and seminars, with local MPs, teachers, students and the common people, from this year.
If steps are not taken immediately, these magnificent sites, our link to the glorious past, will soon be undone by sheer negligence and lack of a sense of history. With them, a piece of our own land will also disappear into oblivion, never to be retrieved.
-With The Independent input
