Portal:Archaeological Survey of India

“ Now that the yield of the tube-well at Sikandra is more than ample for the grounds at Akbar's tomb it is advisable to extend the pipe line to Miriam's tomb and to lay out the grounds within the enclosure. A lay out plan for these grounds is in existence. A length of 70' of the fallen city wall at Fathpur Sikri was rebuilt and the pathways leading to the Samosa Mahal and another in front of Faizi's School were paved. ”

“ While on Special Duty Sir John Marshall will write a series of books on the excavated remains of Mohenjodaro, Harappa and Taxila as well as on the monuments of Sanchi, Mandu, Delhi, Agra and Multan. At the same time he will continue to hold charge of the excavations at Taxila which have been under his direct control for sixteen years and also co-ordinate the results of the operations of the Archæological Department at the prehistoric sites of the Indus and allied cultures. ”

“ The pumping plant at Sikandra has been installed and the special repairs to Itimadu-d-Daulah's Tomb at Agra have been practically completed, leaving money available next year for special repairs, and works that have been held in abeyance owing to want of funds. In the Agra Fort several carved decayed stones, including four brackets of the Diwan-i-Khas, were renewed and in the courtyard of the Akbari Mahal 2,000 sq. ”

“ In the matter of conservation it is gratifying to be able to record an increasing realization by local bodies of their obligations in this direction and a recognition that the maintenance of ancient monuments is not entirely the concern of the Central Government. ”

“ These will receive due attention when funds are available. The Residency Grounds at Lucknow have been the object of special attention during the year under review. Besides the returfing of the main lawn, the Cross Monument parterre has been laid out as a most attractive rose garden, forming a splendid and appropriate setting for the monument. The Cemetery Enclosure has been freed from a coarse grasses and rank vegetation so as to encourage the spread of dub grass. ”

“ Apart from the improbability of the dynasty of the Varma kings of Malwa whose inscriptions are found only in Malwa and Eastern Rajputana, having their capital Pushkarana so far west, I desire to suggest the possibility of a more satisfactory identification of Pushkarana of the Susunia inscription. At a distance of less than 25 miles to the north-east of Susunia is an ancient village named Pokharan on the south bank of the river Damodar. ”

“ It is still a considerably large village and its antiquity is attested by the fact that the houses in several quarters of the village are built on the top of mounds, formed by the ruined heaps of older habitations, 3 to 5 feet higher than the level of the roads. ”

“ A species of rank vegetation has been entirely eradicated by the simple process of removing it before the seeds had formed.
The Dâk Bungalow continues to be popular. The furniture belonging to the District Board has been returned and that belonging to the Public Works Department purchased at a cost of Rs. 1,772. The renovation of the furniture, and crockery and cutlery is being considered and it is hoped that another year will see furniture and fittings worthy of the bungalow and the site. Rs. 3,589 were spent on the repairs to the old Baoli Well. ”

“ An electric pumping plant capable of giving a safe hourly yield of 4,500 gallons has been installed in connection with the old well, which has hitherto been quite inadequate for the extent of ground served by it. ”

“ Decayed brackets, shafts, and lintels of the third column from the east of Birbal's Stable were also replaced by new ones, as had been occasionally done also in previous years. Since, however, all the dangerously weak ones have now been changed it is not proposed to carry out any further replacement. ”

“ Survey of India, No. 35, Excavations in Baluchistan, 1929. ↑ Stein, A.S.I., 1926-27, pp. 219-224. ↑ A.S.I., 1925-26, p. 72. ↑ Vide p. 20 infra. ↑ Vide p. 31 infra
The question of the amendment of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act has received the consideration of the Government of India and it is hoped that it may be possible shortly to undertake the necessary legislation to render it possible for non-official agencies to co-operate with Government in the exploration of the countless sites in India still awaiting excavation. ”