Is Akbar turning in his grave?

• DLA am found blunder mistakes on plaques at Akbar Tomb

Richeek Mishra

Agra. Built in Indo-Saracenic style the Akbar tomb at Sikandara is listed in World Heritage Sites. Instead of conserving the entire premises of the Akbar tomb Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is waiting for some miracle. The miniature paintings are decaying day-by-day. Under the pretext of restoring the peeling off paintings ASI has plastered the ceilings and walls. ASI should restore these paintings by chemical conservation procedure. No one would avail of seeing these precious paintings, if ASI unable to preserve it. The ceiling of the main entrance for cenotaph has a moss formation, which shows that there is seepage of water from roof. Really it looks ugly for the beautiful main entrance. The plaster is crumbling from the West wall of the tomb just below the roof. Marble carving is also peeling off from the Minar at West side of the tomb. The North gate is in dilapidated condition. Similarly, plaster of East gate ceiling is also crumbling speedily and no restoration work has been carried out. No visitors dare to reach near West and South gates, as honeycombs formation scare them. According to ASI sources, the budget estimate for the renovation and conservation has been passed. Around Rs. 12 lakh is sanctioned by the administration for restoration of the monument. However, this amount is insufficient for the complete renovation. ASI cannot paint the peeling off miniatures in the same style till we do not get instructions from higher levels, said an ASI employee (on anonymity).

Illiterate ASI!

After publishing the errors on plaques at Taj Mahal, DLA am has found blunder mistakes on plaques at Akbar tomb. First of all,visitors find out the information from the commemorative inscription on the marble plaques, which has been written in Hindi and English languages. This is the irony that ASI employees don't know their mother language. Around 9 years ago the plaques were installed and since then visitors are reading grammatically incorrect information in Hindi. The name of the Mughal emperor Babar is inscribed as 'Bavar'. Not only this, 'teen majilon me khammo par agharit' has been inscribed incorrectly. Its correct version is 'Teen manjilon me khambho par adharit. Instead of writing 'Kamniyata, anand aur chamak-damak' ASI has inscribed 'Kamniyata anand aur chamak-danmak'. Children enjoy sliding on these plaques.