Prarthana Gahilote
New Delhi, May 26: THE Lal Kot excavation site, which had uncovered
the "earliest of proper settlements in Delhi", faces a bleak future
After five years of excavation, ASI has decided to dump the site
because of ``paucity of funds and lack of interest''. ASI officials
however claim that they ``are looking into the matter and will begin
restoration work soon.''

The excavations here are significant as the settlement — only
ramparts of which remain now — date back to the 11th century, when
Tomars ruled the city.

Yet if you were to visit this Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
protected site, you would be disappointed. There is little here that
tells you that this place has layers of history in its folds and was
declared protected long ago. Even ASI's blue board that declares the
site ``protected heritage'' is missing, leave alone other bandobast.

In many portions, the walls are collapsing and the original facing
has been completely lost. Lal Kot once used to be a grand fort built
by Anang Pal Tomar.

Since 1991, the excavated area and the surroundings have seen serious
deterioration. Much of the remains like ornamental plasterwork on
columns have been lost due to neglect and vandalism.

Tucked away in Mehrauli, right behind Qutub Minar, the Lal Kot
excavations not only mark the remains of the Tomar period, but also
have a huge complex that houses many other important historic
monuments.

Graded to be of Archaeological Value-A in the Indian National Trust
for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) list of protected monuments,
the area is an entire complex of heritage monuments. Besides the Lal
Kot excavations it also boasts of the Anang Tal and Qila Rai Pithora.

While Lal Kot and Qila Rai Pithora are both protected sites, Anang
Tal, which dates back to 1060 AD has been neglected by the ASI
despite its archaeological brilliance.

Built by the Tomar king Anang Pal, the reservoir has been encroached
upon in sections and lies unmarked. In fact, it is difficult to
believe that the place was a reservoir.

The other important structure in the complex is the fort lying north
of the Lal Kot and Mehrauli. A protected monument, this fort
popularly known as Qila Rai Pithora and was built in 1180-86 AD by
Prithvi Raj Chauhan. However, the monument's walls can collapse any
moment.

While ASI continues to turn a blind eye, conservationists believe
that this is one excavation that should have been taken care of. Says
conservation architect Ratish Nanda: ``Not only the mound where
excavation has happened but the entire complex should be protected
and conserved because it has not one but many layers of history
buried in there. It needs to be exposed and people should be told
about it.''

Sources said that ``encroachments like the office of a private
telecommunication organisation and an adjoining temple have come up
in the complex only in the last ten years that the ASI took charge of
the site.''