LAHORE, Dec 5: The conservation and restoration of dilapidated Anarkali Tomb will commence in the second week of the current month.
A sum of Rs5 million has been approved for the project.
Punjab Archaeology Department officials told Dawn the tomb was decaying due to the impact of time, human vandalism and natural calamities. They said the Archives Department under the instructions of the Punjab chief secretary took steps for its proper upkeep and necessary conservation. The chief secretary constituted a committee comprising technical experts in the field of conservation and archaeology. A number of meetings of the committee members were conducted to finalise the conservation plan.
Explaining the steps taken for the preservation and restoration of the tomb, officials said as a first step a detailed documentation of the monument was carried out that included architectural and photographical documentation. The technical experts also worked on physical survey and identification of deteriorated portions. It was also decided that main focus will be on preventive conservation of the affected areas and to preserve the authentic historical fabric.
The department of archaeology after completing the detailed survey and documentation prepared the conservation plan, which was approved by the technical committee and finally a PC-I was prepared. The PC-1 had been approved by the competent forum, they added.
Throwing light on the background details of the project, officials said the Directorate General of Archaeology executed some conservation and documentation work on the monument in 2008-09 and 2009-10 at the cost of Rs0.499 million and 1.489 million, respectively out of the regular maintenance and repair budget.
No further funds from regular budget were allocated later on and it was decided that further conservation work should be carried out from Annual Development Programme.
In 2011-12, the Information, Culture and Youth Affairs Department included a new scheme in ADP for preservation and restoration of the Anarkali Tomb at a cost of Rs5 million and it was restricted to exterior side of the tomb only.
They said the scheme had been approved. The anticipated time for completion of the project is June 2012. Work is proposed to be started from the floor of the roof, kiosks, parapets and proceed further towards the exterior of walls and towers.
Anarkali was a charming girl. She was suspected by Emperor Akbar of having an affair with Prince Salim. The story is variously told, but the pith of the legend is that the poor girl was executed for her folly in 1599 AD. Six years later, when Salim ascended the throne, he in the memory of his beloved, got erected this big and bold monument over her remains. The mausoleum which stands within the enclosure of the Punjab Civil Secretariat, was completed in 1615 AD. It underwent so many changes from time to time that it has lost all its original decorations. In 1891AD, it was converted into Punjab Records office and still serves the same purpose.
Anarkali or her story is nowhere mentioned in history, but no doubt, the tomb in question is traditionally known after her, and it appears difficult to ignore such a strong and continued tradition.