 "Cracks, water leaks & more: How extensive is the damage to Taj Mahal?")
The recent damages at the Taj Mahal have sparked concerns. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco) World Heritage Site in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra has suffered cracks and water leaks due to heavy rainfall in September.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the national body responsible for the monument’s upkeep, has landed in hot water after videos of plants sprouting from the iconic structure went viral on social media. Some, including Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, have hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government over the incident.
How bad is the damage at the Taj Mahal? Let’s take a look.
Water leaks, cracks & more
Cracks have emerged on the white marble facade of the Taj Mahal. The 17th-century monument developed ruptures on the walls, floors and other parts after heavy downpour lashed Agra earlier this month, as per a Times of India (TOI) report.
Videos shared on social media show cracks in the heritage monument and a broken lattice screen.
Experts say the Quran verses inscribed on the main dome have started to fade. Speaking to TOI, Shakeel Chauhan, national general secretary of the Tourist Guide Federation of India, said, “Doors surrounding the main dome are inscribed with verses from the Quran in Arabic, the letters of which have worn away.”
“Semi-precious stones inlaid in the walls through the intricate technique of pietra dura are also grappling with the ravages of time. In the western direction, stones from the floor in front of the royal mosque have chipped off. Damages can be seen on parts of the main mausoleum and walls of the iconic dome,” he alleged.
The videos of a plant growing from a pillar of the monument have also triggered accusations of ‘poor’ maintenance. Leaves of a peepul tree can be seen emerging from the Taj Mahal’s central dome.
Superintending archaeologist Rajkumar Patel told TOI that all plants on the monument’s walls were removed in August. The plant seen in the videos had appeared in the last 15 days and will be “promptly removed”, he added.
A retired ASI official has warned that the monument could face long-term structural damage if plant roots are not pulled out, according to the newspaper.
The news of plant growth on the Taj Mahal’s marble wall came after water leaks were reported at the heritage site.
Footage of the submerged garden within the premises spread on social media. Torrential rains in Agra led to water seeping through the marble structure, with droplets reaching the lower chamber where the tombs of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, are located.
ASI, UP govt face questions
ASI’s conservation efforts to maintain one of the seven wonders of the world have come under the scanner.
Former UP CM and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav shared a video on X showing the plant growth on the ivory-white marble of the Taj Mahal.
“The BJP government and its dormant departments have completely failed to maintain the Taj Mahal, the wonder that attracts tourists from all over the world,” he tweeted on September 19. “Water is dripping from the main dome … plants [are] growing. If the roots of trees like these grow, then the Taj Mahal may crack.”
विश्व भर के पर्यटकों को आकर्षित करनेवाले अजूबे ‘ताजमहल‘ के रख-रखाव को लेकर भाजपा सरकार व उसके सुषुप्त निष्क्रिय विभाग पूरी तरह से नाकाम हैं:
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) September 19, 2024
- मुख्य गुंबद पर लगे कलश की धातु में ज़ंग लगने की आशंका है,
- मुख्य गुंबद से पानी टपक रहा है,
- गुंबद में पेड़ उग आने का समाचार… pic.twitter.com/anXVK9ifH3
The Taj Mahal attracts about 80 lakh tourists every year. Built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz, the monument stands as a testament to love.
Tour operators and the public alike have expressed concerns about the 17th-century monument.
Chauhan, national general secretary of the Tourist Guide Federation of India, told TOI, “The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) spends Rs 4 crore annually on the Taj Mahal’s preservation. Such images tarnish the monument’s reputation.”
Social media users said there is a need for smarter architecture and planning to protect these iconic monuments.
One Ram Yadav, who posted the video of the inundated garden on the Taj Mahal’s premises, wrote, “Seeing the Taj Mahal surrounded by water due to heavy rains is a clear sign of how important it is to plan our cities better. Even our most iconic buildings are at risk from changing weather. We need to focus on smarter architecture and city planning that can handle such challenges, protecting both our heritage structures and modern buildings.”
Some have accused the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government of being “indifferent” as it is a Muslim monument. Hyderabad politician Altaf Hyder Razvi told the British newspaper The Times that the level of damage is “something new”. “What’s going on has to be investigated independently. Although Adityanath has no direct role in maintaining it, he is well known for being hostile to Mughal monuments and Mughal heritage.”
What has ASI said?
The ASI has claimed there are “no serious structural issues” with the Taj Mahal.
“We saw leakage in the main dome of the Taj Mahal. But when we checked, we found it was due to seepage and there was no damage to the main dome. We have checked the main dome using a drone camera,” Rajkumar Patel, the Agra ASI official, was quoted as saying by The Hindu.
As per a TOI report, experts from the ASI carried out a survey of the tombs’ roof and dome after reports of rainwater seepage emerged.
“Survey of the main dome was conducted using a drone. Rust was observed on the base of the finial. This rust formation could have led to the development of cracks in the stone, causing water seepage. Repair work of this crack will now be undertaken to prevent future water leakage. Moisture was observed inside the main tombs, indicating the possibility of a fine crack on the stones of the dome,” a senior official told the newspaper.
The national body is battling questions of corruption and mismanagement of funds. The ASI has denied these allegations, reportedly saying: “Funds spent on the maintenance of the Taj Mahal are audited from time to time. So far, no concerns have been raised in these audits.”
With inputs from agencies
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