Author: Hitarth Pandya
Publication: The Asian Age
Date: February 1, 2001
The 5,000-year-dld Harappan site
near Dholavira in Gujarat has been totally destroyed in the earthquake,
There is no news about the fate of five Bhuj sub-circle officials of the
Archaeological Survey of India, who were posted at the site.
The chief archaeologist of the ASI
in Gujarat, Mr D.R. Gehlot, told The Asian Age that according to the primary
reports received from Bhuj, Harappan site at Dholavira was razed to the
ground.
'The site is divided into three
divisions Citadel, 'Middle Town and Lower Town. Lothal museum, the only
museum functioning under the aegis of the ASI, has also developed cracks
and some of the exhibits have been damaged.
Mr Gehlot said, "A team of officials
have rushed to Bhachau to take stock of the situation. Reports coming from
media have made us sceptical about the situation at Dholavira. We have
no information about the officials working there."
The Dholavira site was excavated
in 1991 under the leadership of Mr J.P. Joshi, according to Mr Gehlot.
Worried about the site, Mr Gehlot said, "It took us a decade to discover
the hidden mysteries of Harappan culture and all our efforts went down
the drain in 10 minutes."
The Citadel at the site and other
excavated portions of the Harappan settlement were of great historical
importance, he said.
"The complete excavation was going
to unfold the mystery and give us solid facts about the Harappan culture.
But unfortunately we may not be able to get the information now," Mr Gehlot
added.
Nonetheless, efforts to save the
site have already begun. Mr Gehlot said, "We are trying level-best to save
the site of Harappan settlement as well as the Lothal museum. Administration
in Bhuj has been informed about the site and they have promised prompt
action."
At least three of the 14 major museums,
including the oldest one in the state located at' Bhuj, have been damaged
in the quake, according to the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery curator
Satish Sadashivan.
"We have received a wireless message
from the Porbandar police about Bhuj museum. it. was the oldest museum
in the state' built in 1877 by the Kutch Maharaja Mahar Raolji on the banks
of Hamirsar fake," he said, adding, "There were 20,250 exhibits in the
museum including 4,500-year-old Harappan seals. standing statue, of Buddha
of' seventh century, armoury silverware and other anthropological exhibits.
Since the entire museum is razed to the ground the chances of recovering
exhibits are dim." However, Mr Sadashivan along with the curator and other
officials left for Bhuj on Sunday.
