Parsis ask minister to protect Bahrot Caves

MUMBAI: The World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation has petitioned Union culture and tourism minister Jagmohan to have the ancient Bahrot Caves near Sanjan, on the Maharashtra-Gujarat border, listed as a national monument.
In the 13th century, these caves sheltered the sacred Iranshah—the first fire to be consecrated in India after the Zoroastrians landed on the western Indian coast in the 7th century AD.The Zoroastrians sought refuge in these caves after Muslim invaders attacked Sanjan, where the Parsis had been living under the patronage of the Hindu rulers.
The Parsis fought off the invaders to keep their holy fire burning in these caves for 12 years, before moving it to Bansda and much later to Udwada,where it is still enshrined.
The World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to documenting and protecting Parsi Zoroastrian culture, has urged the minister to bring the caves under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India as soon as possible.
Mr Jagmohan’s office is said to be considering the matter, according to officials in the Union culture ministry. Today, many Parsis make a pilgrimage to the Bahrot caves to perform ‘jashans’ (thanksgiving ceremonies).
“They make this pilgrimage despite the fact that the caves are in a precarious condition and, moreover, are not easy to get to,’’ says historian Mani Kamerkar, who, along with Homi Dhalla, heads the foundation.
The caves are situated in the heart of a reserve forest and in the absence of a proper pathway to the Bahrot hill from the nearest village of Aswali, the visitors have to struggle through six kilometres of forest to get to them.
Adds Dr Dhalla, “We are praying that the Union culture ministry brings the caves under the ASI because that will ensure a measure of protection and also help us to mobilise the community to help improve the conditions at the site.’’ The foundation has already drawn up a repair plan for the decaying cave complex. The scheme was drawn up last year by Mumbaibased architect Pankaj Joshi, an associate member of PUKAR (Partners for Urban Knowledge, Action and Research), a research group.
“The Bahrot complex holds seven caves, a few of whose roofs have caved in and walls have developed cracks and fissures. These can be consolidated without too much difficulty,’’ Mr Joshi says.
“It’s certainly a historically significant site because apart from the caves, there are two sets of fortifications on the hill. Between the fortifications and the caves there are several plinths, which suggest some form of settlement existed there. These areas need an archaeological examination.’’
If the site is brought under the ASI’s custody, Dr Kamerkar and Dr Dhalla hope it will excavate the place. Even if does not, their foundation hopes to implement the repair scheme just as soon as they collect the Rs 30 lakhs required to consolidate the caves and build the six km-long pathway. They have approached the Parsi Panchayat and members of the community to donate to the project.
“Unfortunately, the response has been lukewarm,’’ mourns Dr Kamerkar. “Our community seems to lack a sense of history.’’ Researcher-author and heritage activist Pheroza Godrej is inclined to agree.
“It’s a sorry comment on our community, but many Parsis are simply not aware of their historical past. Very few of them have probably heard of the Bahrot Caves or even about Sanjan,’’ she says. “Even the more enlightened ones are not interested in heritage conservation. Look at how neglectful the community has been of the built heritage of even our main pilgrim-centre of Udwada.’’
Supporting the foundation’s demand for the caves to be listed, she states that she will do her bit to help the conservation project. Parsi Panchayat chairman Minoo Shroff takes a similar position.
The panchayat’s priorities are to help the community with medicare, housing, higher education, social security for the aged and the infirm, he says. However, he adds, “We do recognise the importance of heritage conservation. We will certainly try and pitch in with some funds for the Bahrot project.’’