Protection, Conservation and Preservation

Preservation, Conservation and protection of all monuments collectively are few of the main functions of the Directorate along with Exploration and Excavation. The directorate is duty bound to protect, conserve and preserve all the monuments declared as ‘Protected Monuments’ under the ‘Maharashtra Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960’.

The primary function of the Directorate protects, conserve and preserve all monuments declared as the protected monument of State importance under the ‘Maharashtra Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960’.

The act mentioned helps to make better provisions for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and also for recording the archaeological sites and remains (other than those declared to be of national importance) in the state of Maharashtra.

Further steps that are deemed as important functions of the Directorate include documentation of unprotected heritage in the form of tangible evidence discovered from planned archaeological exploration and excavation as well as accidental discoveries. On the basis of this, data protection proposals are submitted to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for approval and publication of Gazette Notification for protection of ancient monuments and archaeological sites is carried out.

Steps taken for the protection of the monument:

The Assistant Director, in charge of Divisional office, takes initiative through field officer for documentation and photography of a particular monument intended to be protected in a prescribed proforma and it is forwarded to Director of Archaeology and Museums.
The Director of Archaeology and Museums forwards the same along with comments and reasoning to the Principal Secretary, Culture.
The Department of Cultural Affairs issues a preliminary Gazette Notification and draft notice, which is pasted on monument under consideration for public display.
As prescribed in the Act, two months minimum period is given to any individual or any public in general for raising the objection against the above notice.
If any such objection is received by the Directorate, the same is brought to notice of the Principal Secretary, Cultural Affairs.
If no objection is received in the said period of two months then the Government of Maharashtra issues Gazette Notification declaring a certain monument as the State Protected Monument/ Archaeological Site under the Maharashtra Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1960.
The same is considered for conservation and preservation. The process regarding conservation is carried out by The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums as per available funds and manpower.

The Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has protected 386 monuments/ancient sites till date wherein final notifications are issued in case of 302 monuments. Remaining monuments are still under the preliminary process of protection and shall be declared state-protected monuments after approval of the Government.

Please click the link below to view the images

Ausa fort, Ausa, Dist. Latur

Bandra fort, Bandra, Dist. Mumbai

Kanhoji Angre, Samadhi, Alibagh, Dist. Raigad Ratnagiri Division

Kukdeshwar Temple

Mahadev Temple, Hottal, Dist. Nanded

Rangamahal, Chandwad, Dist. Nashik

Rasalghad fort, Dist Ratnagiri

Yashvantrao Chavhan Devrashtre