Paper: GS – I, Subject: History-Art and Culture, Topic: Art and Architecture, Issue: Need to decolonise India’s national heritage systems.
Context:
Current heritage management remains influenced by colonial biases, ignoring many national icons and sites of significance. There is a need to decolonise India’s historical narrative by re-evaluating and properly recognizing monuments associated with India’s freedom struggle and indigenous heroes.
Key Highlights:
Issues with the current heritage management:
- Continued colonial mindset: Even Post-Independence, little was done to change the colonial mindset in history education and monument recognition.
- Dominance of British imposed narratives: Monuments reflect collective memory, but British-imposed narratives dominated preservation and academic discourse.
- Neglect of indigenous elements: Monuments of India’s victories and indigenous heroes were neglected, while colonial symbols persisted.
- Issues with National Monuments Authority:
- Anomalies: NMA found several anomalies in the list of 3,695 monuments of National Importance.
- Lacking relevance: Many sites lack any known historical relevance. For example, Tota-Maina Ki Kabr has no clear story or significance.
- NMA recommendations often ignored by agencies such as TiS Hazari site linked to Marathas.
- Delays: Monuments proposed for recognition like Mangarh, site of Bhil tribal massacre face delays.
- Unsung Heroes Left Out: People like Afzal Khan, a colonial general with no Indian patriotic contribution, is recognized. Meanwhile, Indian freedom fighters like Sayaji Rao Gaekwad (patron of Swami Vivekananda), Lachit Borphukan, Raja Durga Nath, Sankalp Bhumi Jharkhand, etc. are ignored.
| Case studies of Neglected Sites: Mangarh Hill: Massacre of 1,500 Bhil tribals by British in 1913. Though NMA recommended national status it is awaiting action. Several freedom-associated sites like Mohammad Gauri Ke Senapati’s Cabin, Kali Paltan ignored in official listings. |
Government’s recent Decolonisation Efforts:
- Maratha military landscapes considered for UNESCO World Heritage status to highlight indigenous victories.
- Tribal resistance movements such as Tai-Khamti War, Northeast etc are being reintroduced into the national memory.
- PM Modi also emphasized correcting historical wrongs and celebrating Indian valour.
Further measures needed:
- Relook agencies: There is a need to relook all heritage agencies’ functioning to remove colonial filters.
- Narrative building: Promote Indian-centric, valorous, and revolutionary narratives.
- Build institutions: Establish an Archaeological Foundation focused on Indian national pride and memory.
Conclusion:
True decolonisation involves changing both institutional practices and historical narratives. Thus, recognizing monuments of real Indian heroism and freedom movements is crucial to reclaiming India’s past from colonial distortions.
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