Gujarat recently celebrated World Heritage Week with much fanfare, claiming 21 lakh tourists visited the state’s heritage sites in 2023-24. Incidentally, every year UNESCO celebrates World Heritage Week in the second last week of November to raise awareness about preserving our heritage. But Ahmedabad, after earning the tag of India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, seems to have forgotten its monuments. 

Named after Sultan Ahmed Shah, the city is known for its rich history, culture, and monuments. 

These 450- to 600-year-old monuments are more than just buildings, they are symbols of our identity and heritage. But today, the same monuments that earned Ahmedabad its prestigious title are facing an existential crisis.

Monument-al crisis

The city’s history, namely Sidi Sayyed ni Jali, Jama Masjid, Ahmed Shah’s tomb, and Sarkhej Roza, is falling apart. 

Heavy rains have caused severe damage, and shoddy repairs have only made things worse. 

Broken benches, crumbling structures, and delayed restoration work have become a common refrain.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is responsible for maintaining these sites, is itself struggling with meagre funds. 

What ails the monuments

Sidi Sayyed ni Jali  

• The intricate latticework (jali) is severely damaged, with parts broken and not properly restored.
• The surrounding area is littered with garbage, including plastic bottles and other items.
• The water tank in front is filthy and filled with algae and debris.
• There are old chairs, shoe racks, and waste scattered around the site.
• The walls are patched up with cement and look terrible.
• No regular cleaning or upkeep is done, leaving the site unhygienic.
• It is a sorry picture of neglect.

Jama Masjid 

• Cracks have appeared in various parts of the structure, compromising the stability of the mosque.
• Water leaks are causing considerable harm to the interior.
• The intricate lattice work has been destroyed.
• The monument is rapidly deteriorating and requires immediate attention

Sarkhej Roza

• Vandals have defaced the walls of Raja Rani Ka Mahal.
• Garbage, including plastic waste and food packets, is littered all over the premises.
• A nearby landslide has added to the site’s problems.
• The monument is not properly maintained or cleaned.
• The windows are damaged, and the lake is full of dirt.
• Walls have not been restored, and the structure is deteriorating rapidly.

Ahmed Shah’s Tomb  

• Heavy rainfall has caused significant damage to the outer wall, leading to its collapse.
• Cracks inside the tomb have led to water leakage, causing damage to the interior.
• Temporary cement repairs have harmed the heritage structure.
• The area around the tomb is littered with garbage, which reduces its historical significance.
• Broken and unused benches remain scattered, contributing to the neglect.

Who’s responsible?  

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), tasked with the maintenance of these sites, struggles with inadequate funds. An ASI official shared, “We are trying our best with the budget we receive. This year, our budget was ₹6 crore to restore 170 monuments across the state.” That makes it a budget of a little over ₹3.5 lakh per monument in a year, which is grossly inadequate considering the maintenance, cleanliness, and restoration of each monument. 

Meanwhile, The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Heritage Department has clarified that maintaining these monuments is not part of their responsibilities. A senior official commented, “Restoration and upkeep of heritage monuments do not fall under our jurisdiction. Our department focuses on preserving the old city and historical homes of Ahmedabad.”

Private committees looking after some sites often refuse necessary changes, like removing broken benches.

This lack of cooperation and coordination is harming our heritage.

What’s holding us back?

The problem lies in low budgets, delayed decisions, and a lack of accountability. ASI has a yearly budget of ₹6 crore for 170 monuments. That means, less than ₹30,000 for one monument in a month is far too little. Blame is passed around, but no one is taking responsibility. As a result, the rich history of Ahmedabad is slipping away. 

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