Restoration work of damaged Charminar minaret underway
Smitha Kumar, deputy superintendent of ASI, confirmed that the restoration process is now underway and will also include a structural assessment of the remaining minarets to prevent further damage. "Staying true to
heritage conservation
practices, the ASI is using materials such as lime, sand, etc., to carry out the repairs. The aim is to restore the plasterwork without compromising the monument's original architectural integrity," she added.
Staff stationed at the monument pointed out that the minarets were not included during the restoration efforts conducted just ahead of Ramzan. "There are chances that the other minarets could get damaged if repair work is not carried out on them as well," said one of the staff members, raising concerns about the stability of the other sections.
The ASI erected scaffolding and wrapped the affected minaret to shield it from further environmental impact as the repairs progress. "We were waiting for dry weather to commence the work; however, frequent rains delayed it," Kumar added.
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Outstanding universal value For every site UNESCO recognises as a World Heritage Site, its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) is evaluated. It is central to the World Heritage convention as it highlights the global significance the site holds, not only in the present time but also in the future. It notes the uniqueness of each site while evaluating the state of preservation and capabilities of the stakeholders to uphold the inscription. However, the responsibility does not lie with the country where it is located. It becomes a global responsibility to ensure that the site's value is not lost. In the case of the 12 forts of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, the task to underline the OUV was undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India in collaboration with other stakeholders in the dossier. As per the statement, the military landscape developed between the 17th and 19th centuries CE. represented an extraordinary fortification and military system. 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Along with the forts, the buffer zones constitute the most authentic, well-preserved, and representative sites of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. The nomination boundary of the 12 forts includes all the key features that support their recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area covers the main defensive structures that showcase the Marathas' unique military architecture. The buffer zone around each fort is carefully designed to reflect both the immediate surroundings of the fort and the larger landscape of related forts. This includes two additional layers of the Maratha defence systems built strategically around the main forts. These outer areas include smaller forts and outposts that supported the core structure. The buffer also considers old trade routes and natural features like hills, forests and terrain, which played a major role in the region's defence, culture and economy. 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Until a management plan is put in place and concerns are taken care of, we must celebrate the recognition that the Maratha forts have awaited for centuries. Let's also remember that heritage is not just about marking national achievements on a global stage—it is meant to be protected, preserved, and passed on to future generations. Disha Ahluwalia is an archaeologist and junior research fellow at the Indian Council Of Historical Research. She tweets @ahluwaliadisha. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
