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Centuries old monument in Agra in dilapidation
by Brajesh Kumar Singh

     Agra: 'Chini ka Roza', believed to have been built with glazed tiles from Iran during Shah Jahan's time, is now in a dilapidated state due to lack of proper care and maintenance. Built in the 16th century by Allama Afzal Jhan Shukhrullah of Shiraz, Prime Minister of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and a well-known poet, every portion of the monument is adorned with bright colour schemes, known as 'Chini ka Roza'. He died in Lahore in 1639 and his body was brought to Agra and buried there. But now the monument, on the bank of river Yamuna, is in a shambles and is crying for urgent restoration work. When asked as to why the authorities are not doing the required work to preserve this heritage monument, D M Dimri, Superintending Archaeologist said that due to unavailability of tiles in India they are not able to preserve it. "The tiles used in many monuments especially 'Chini ka Roza', are not available with us. We are trying to preserve the monument with whatever material we have, but the original tiles are available only in Iran. So that's why we are not able to preserve it," said Dimri. However, historians feel that except for the world heritage Taj Mahal and its surrounding monuments, authorities pay little attention to the preservation of other monuments, one being the 'Chini ka Roza'. "Science has developed a lot. It's not that the preservation of monument is entirely impossible. It's possible. All you need is a will. Authorities can always look for the required material and can preserve it" said Sugam Anand, Head of the History Department, Agra University. Conservationists allege that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has done nothing to preserve this century old monument.
-April 7, 2009

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