Tikamgarh residents not game for break with past

BHOPAL: Ex-royal of historic state of Orchha laments that there is no policy in Madhya Pradesh to protect historical buildings which are under private possession. He urges the government to protect the Tikamgarh fort.
Reacting to the demolition of buildings of historical importance in Tikamgarh, ex-maharaja of Orchha state Madhukar Shah alias Nati Raja said unlike Rajasthan, there is no proper policy in the state to protect such buildings.
"What was achieved from the demolition of Topkhana building? Modernization and money-driven mentality seem to have blinded civic body officials, Shah told TOI.
Located in the heart of city, Topkhana was pulled down by local municipality on October 1 last year. It was built in 1820.
Pankaj Raag, commissioner, archaeology, archives and museums, said, "Not all old buildings are heritage structures. Anyway, maintenance of buildings of Tikamgarh does not come under the purview of the ASI."
Madhukar Shah said he was trying to protect the historical Tikamgarh fort, a rock fort that served as the main palace of Bundela rulers of Tikamgarh province. "I cannot get it repaired on my own as it requires huge money. The government should formulate some plans for protection of such buildings under private possession. Talks are on with some charitable trusts for development of fort, but everything is in nascent stage."
"It is unfortunate that beautiful old buildings of Tikamgarh are dying a silent death due to the negligence of government," said BK Goswami, retired secretary, Union tourism department, adding ASI must take responsibility of protection of old buildings.
"Demolition of historically important buildings cannot be justified in name of development. Or else, even Qutub Minar and Taj Mahal can be razed one day to make way for shopping mall," said Dr KL Jain, principal, Government Excellence PG College.
Kailash Bihari Dwivedi, who has authored a book on the history of Bundelkhand, said, "The administration must take steps to maintain it as it is the identity of the city. Roraiya, where royal family members would come for bathing purpose, also needs to be maintained. Four years ago, lakhs of rupees were spent on its renovation, but it apparently went down the drain due to lack of maintenance, care and proper planning."