Fifth-century antiquities at stake in archaeological battle

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History, perhaps, has not witnessed a battle as bizarre as the ongoing tussle between an archaeologist and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for possession of “nearly 4,000 antiquities” retrieved from the fifth century AD site at Sirpur in eastern Chhattisgarh district of Mahasamund.

The archaeologist, refusing to part with the antiquities — estimated to fetch several thousand crores rupees at international market — seems to have been emboldened by the alleged “supportive” role played in his favour by some top level officials of ASI as well as the state government in the raging fight. “I am not going to hand over the antiquities to ASI as long as the premier research and conservation institution does not set up a museum for their safekeeping and proper conservation. ASI, if given possession of the precious excavated antiques at this stage, will simply dump them in a dark and dingy room, hastening the process of their destruction”, archaeologist A.K. Sharma, who had undertaken excavation of the ASI site in 2003-2011 after being granted licence by the organisation, told this newspaper at his camp at Sirpur, nearly 70 km from Raipur, on Tuesday.
Mr Sharma said he has recovered nearly 4,000 antiquities worth several thousand crores rupees in the Sirpur archaeological site. All these antiques of varying sizes are lying scattered in three rooms of his camp house at Sirpur.
Mr Sharma, a retired ASI archaeologist, has, in fact, simply ignored over a dozen letters from successive ASI director generals (DGs) in the past six years asking him to deposit the antiquities found in Sirpur with its local circle office in Raipur. The latest notice served to him by the then ASI DG, dated February 23, 2013, directed him to transfer all antiquities to ASI, Raipur circle, by April 31 this year. The octogenarian has been appointed archaeological advisor to Chhattisgarh government since 2003.
Seeking action against Mr Sharma for not handing over the antiquities, ASI, Raipur circle, in a recent communication to its headquarters at New Delhi, said, “The Centrally protected site, Sirpur, which is the only ticketed monument in the state, is being excavated since 2000 by A.K.Sharma ….. The licenses issued by ASI, Government of India, is crystal clear and according to condition laid down in the license all excavated antiquities along with a list is to be handed over to the SA (superintending archaeologist), ASI, Raipur circle. Despite a dozen correspondences made by this office via letter, the same has not been fulfilled by the licensee. In response to these above stated correspondences, this office has received a single letter from the commissioner, department of culture and archaeology, government of Chhattisgarh, in which their intention of not to hand over the excavated antiquities seems very clear”.
Incidentally, on one side, ASI has been serving series of notices to Mr Sharma asking to hand over the antiquities, on the other hand, the organisation has been renewing his license every year to excavate the site, giving rise to an impression that the retired archaeologist has considerable influence over top level officials of ASI at Delhi.
Mr Sharma has also been facing charges of carrying out construction works in the excavated structures in the name of conservation allegedly violating Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act 1958 by ASI.
In a confidential letter, copy of which is in possession of this newspaper, ASI, Raipur circle, has drawn this to the notice of its headquarters at Delhi, saying, “During excavation, the licensee has not followed the basic parameters of excavation such as making of lay out plan, drawing of excavated structures, stratigraphy etc… This office has demanded copies of the detailed lay out plan, drawings, photographs of structures etc, but nothing has been given by the state department of culture and archaeology. In addition to the above, the licensee is undertaking conservation works of the excavated structures for which he is not authorised under the license. This is a gross violation of the provision of AMASR Act and Rules. By doing this, not only the authenticity of excavated structures is being spoiled but also the license is imposing his thoughts into the excavated remains. Sometimes, the original architectural parts are being cut to get the desired size. In this regard, several correspondences have been made to the commissioner, department of culture and archaeology, Government of Chhattisgarh, requesting him to stop the so called conservation works immediately which is nothing but reconstruction of excavated structures. To verify the authenticity of excavated structures, the department of culture and archaeology, Govt. of Chhattisgarh, have been asked by this office to submit photographs of pre and post stages of conservation/ reconstruction of structures but till date nothing is heard from their side”.
The ASI, Raipur circle, has also enclosed photographs with the letter to establish defacement of the excavated remains.
Sources in the state archaeological department said the alleged tampering of the archaeological site has robbed it of World Heritage status. The Unesco has reportedly shot down a proposal by the Chhattisgarh government to declare it a World Heritage site citing the artificial constructions carried out in excavated structures. According to official sources, the state government has funded around `3 crore for excavation of Sirpur in the past one decade.
Interestingly, barring a 15-page note, a rough sketch on his work, Mr Sharma has not yet filed a detailed report on his excavation works either to the state government or to ASI, as per official rules, although he has published five books on Sirpur site, sources in state archaeological department said.
Even Mr Sharma’s interpretations on findings in Sirpur site have sparked a debate in archaeology circle here.
Mr Sharma, while referring to Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang’s accounts, claimed to have found evidences on visit of Lord Buddha to Sirpur to spend Chaturmasa (four-month-monsoon period) in 6th century BC.
However, deputy director, state archaeological department Rahul Singh contested this saying, “We have not yet found any evidence to establish Buddha’s visit to Sirpur”.
Retired professor of ancient history and archaeology department in Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur, L.S. Nigam, has also subscribed to this view.
Mr Sharma’s claim that the “controversial” stupa excavated at Sirpur was one of eight original stupas built by Ashoka has also been disputed by the archaeologists here.
“We have not found any archaeological evidence to establish that the stupa excavated in Sirpur dates back to Ashokan period,” Mr Singh said.
Another archaeologist has said the eight original stupas have already been discovered in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Similarly, a door jamb of a Buddhist monastery excavated in the site has also sparked controversy. The sculptures on the door jamb depicted amorous couples and copulating animals. Such erotic images are not usually found in Buddhist monasteries.
“The door jamb depicting erotic sculptures is certainly not original part of the monastery. Such sculptures are not found in other nine Buddhist monasteries excavated in Sirpur. But, I cannot say exactly when the door jamb was renovated or placed at the monastery.” Mr Nigam said.
Erotic sculptures are usually found in ancient Hindu temples. Incidentally, 24 Hindu temples dating back to 6th-7th century AD have been unearthed at Sirpur. Besides these, 10 Buddhist monasteries and three Jain monasteries have also been excavated.
Mr Sharma, however, denied charges of tampering with the excavated structures by him, saying, “I have not carried out any artificial reconstruction at the site. I have handed over the excavated monuments to ASI a couple of years ago. The ASI may have undertaken the construction works at the site.”
When contacted, superintending archaeologist, ASI, Raipur circle, Arun Raj T, said, “ASI has not undertaken any construction in excavated remains, barring raising boundary walls for safety of the monuments after Mr Sharma stopped excavation works in the site in early 2011.”
Mr Sharma has also been accused of using cement during conservation of the remains, although use of cement is strictly prohibited in ASI or any conservation Manuel.