Dholavira of Kutch which is 250 Km far from Bhuj is famous as 5000 year old civilization and city, having the civilization of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa. This can be considered as world’s most ancient town, which should have been recognized as a world heritage site but so far it is on the pending list of UNESCO since 1998. In the revised tentative list of 2010, Dholavira has found a place again but still not rewarded as world heritage site..
Dholavira had been excavated and found in 1989.
The archeological department of Indian Government of India excavated in this area and discovered 5000 year old civilization of Mohenjdaro and Harappa. After ten years, about in 1998 on 3/7/1998, to declare Dholavira as a World Heritage Site Indian Government put forward the proposal in to the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO and time and again, it has been put in the revised list as well. It has also been included in the 2010 December list. But it is sad that still Dholavira hasn’t been included as a world heritage site by world heritage committee yet.
UNESCO has selected 911 places from all over the world and recognized them as world heritage sites. World’s wonderful places which have heritage as well uniqueness regarding cultural and natural beauty are considered as world heritage sites by UNESCO.
UNESCO has raised a special fund for their maintenance and care. To add to this, the tourists also give special importance to these places. World Heritage Sites have always been an attraction for the tourists of all over the world. Therefore, a place automatically gets an international tourism preference as soon as it gets recognized as a World Heritage Site from UNESCO.
The ancient places which are having priceless heritage and are naturally as well as creatively unique and beautiful are discovered and are recognized as World Heritage Sites. In spite of so many wonderful and beautiful places in India, there are just 28 places that have enjoyed the privilege of being recognized as World Heritage Sites. Whereas, from small nations like Italy, France, Germany, Mexico, there are more than 30 places that have been recognized as World Heritage Sites. From Spain, there are about 43 and from Italy, 45 places have been considered as World Heritage Sites. On the other side, UNESCO has considered only 28 places from India as World Heritage Sites and more than 30 places have been put in the tentative list.
From India, 28 sites and from Gujarat only one site near Pavagadh called Champaner has been counted as a World Heritage Site.. Champaner is a beautiful amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The efforts to make this ancient place of Gujarat a World Heritage Site was done by a private trust.
After this, in 1998 Indian Govt. tried its best to include Dholavira of Kutch and Patan’s Ran Ki Vaav as World Heritage Sites but till date, their efforts haven’t been successful. Though in 2010, these places had been proposed before the committee.and are on now tentative list of UNESCO. Kutch’s century of Wild Donkeys was appealed in 2006 by a private trust for World Heritage Site which is still pending.
Since last some time, hard efforts are being done to market and spread awareness about Ahmedabad’s Pol so as to include it in World Heritage Sites by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. Various institutions and media are active in this issue. Thus in this way, some four places of Gujarat are being concentrated upon to include them in World Heritage Sites. Till 2010 efforts are being done to include 30 other places of India in the World heritage Sites which are currently in the tentative list.
Last year UNESCO’s World heritage Committee considered Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar as World Heritage Site . But Dholavira’s case yet again remained pending.
Actually speaking, this 5000 year old ancient Harrapan civilization site should have been accepted as a World Heritage Site when it was proposed for the first time way in back 1998. Dholavira is far more important as compared to other places and World Heritage Sites of the world. It is difficult to understand that why it is still pending to get acceptance.
Government is fully supporting this effort of Indian
department. Dholavira’s site is more ancient than that of even Pavagadh and Champaner. That is different case that it got discovered and explored in 1989.
To get Dholavira a place in World Heritage Site now serious efforts and marketing campaigns as well as strong lobbying should be done. Excess delay is being done to put Dholavira on a World Heritage Site .
As compared to Champaner and other World Heritage Site s of the world, Dholavira has much rich heritage which is unique in natural as well as cultural view point. This is probably the most unique ancient example of the human civilization and city creation. But if a bit more efforts are done, then Dholavira has chances to get recognized as World Heritage Sites by the end of the year 2011. For this the efforts of Indian Government are not enough. To make partnerships and to empower the voice and support of people on an international level is also necessary. Indians residing in UK and USA, history tellers and architectural experts as well as media world should support the case of Dholavira.
Dholavira is a wonderful example of sculptural art. It expresses city creation of ancient times. Beautiful samples of Water Storage System have been found during the excavation of city creation. During excavation, we can see seven stages from the ancient till modern times of the manmade culture and city creation, the excavation of which is still going on.
At that time, The In Charge of Indian Archeology Mr. Bist who took deep interest in the excavation of Dholavira had built a tent and stayed at the site only for days. Because of his deep interest only Archaeology department carried out Dholavira’s excavation with passion and at that time, in 1989, its publicity was done in every possible manner. As a result in 1998 for the first time it was included in the tentative list of the World Heritage Sites.
Here, there is best city planning, drainage facility, water storage facility, water tankers, sign boards etc are the wonderful creations explored through excavation. This signifies that this place from the time of Harappan civilization has best city planning. It has best facilities of water storage and water body for drainage water storage facility. This means that at that time people were able to build such a beautiful city, which itself signifies their brilliant expertise, high vision and living culture.
5000 year old this city Dholavira of Harappan civilization also has equipments to write world theatre history again. It is believed that Greek and Roman theatres are world’s 2500 to 3000 years old theatres. But in Dholavira, huge theatres are recovered that are older than even 5000 years. Mr. Bist says that during excavation in Dholavira, we have found a very good ground which is above and in the middle of the city. This is known to be used for playing games, wrestling, bullock cart game etc. This vast ground is known to be of 283 meters * 411 meters. Steps have been found around this ground indicating open theatre in the middle or the above portion of the city. This indicates that this place may be used as a theatre or a stadium in the past. There are specific stones which indicate that bullock carts might be coming here and also on one part of the stadium, there is a small stadium like a green room. This is specially used during the shows.
Mr. Bist says that on digging 2 meter* 2meter ground, jewellery pearls lying in huge number is seen all over the ground. Thus, Dholavira is not only a brilliant city planning but also the world’s huge ancient theatre and a city with great water storage facility. This ancient city provides a beautiful and unbelievable view of city planning and human civilization.
Hence, in all ways, Dholavira’s case is quite strong and to get it accepted as a World Heritage Site to make the long term hard efforts successful, it is very important that the international media, institutions, organizations, non government bodies, experts as well as the Government involve in this. Funds for the development of Dholavira can be contributed by Indian Government, Gujarat Government and the benevolent people of Kutch. More than even funds, it is important that it gets internationally accepted as a World Heritage Site as soon as possible. This is a question of esteem and not just about funds from UNESCO. Dholavira’s historical richness is far beyond than that of other World Heritage Sites. It is probably laid back because its excavation and exploration took place in 1989 only. But if right efforts are put in then we will become successful in getting Dholavira a status of a World Heritage Site .
If you are interested in this campaign then you can contact the writer.... Mobile- 9827723918/ 09327075488 . Or you can mail: chaulakuruwa@gmail.com
Chaula Kuruwa
