Journal of Global Resources
Biannual International Peer-Reviewed Journal
ISSN: 2395-3160 (Print)/2455-2445 (Online)

January 2021
Volume 07 (01)
Crossref DOI 10.46587

DOI: 10.46587/JGR.2021.v07i01.007

07
GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON HERITAGE CONSERTVATION ANDSUSTAINABILTY IN MEWAR REGION
P. R. Vyas1, Kiran Meena2 and Vishnu Shanker Paliwal2
1
Former Head and Professor, 2Research Scholars
Department of Geography, Faculty of Earth Science,
M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur, (Raj.) India
Email: prvyasgeog@gmail.com
Abstract: Paper focused on status of heritage conservation and sustainability sites in the
Mewar Region of the Rajasthan. Indeed, historical heritage mainly forts emerged asstrongholds in the Mewar region. Such physical structures have been involving several
devices in the defence system of a state evolved from very early times but more vigorously
between 10th and 16th centuries. Mainly Chief ship centres like Chittaurgarh and Udaipur,
cities are continued to survive in the present day landscape as elements of architecturaland historical monuments toward touristic interests. Prominent features of physicalstructures of heritage sites have been considered as key elements like defence systemcomprising of series of walls, ramparts, battlements, towers, moats, and gates were
supplemented by the socio-economic as well as cultural arrangements and structures
within and surroundings of the forts. Besides these features provision for community
services had also been well executed during that time such as water reservoirs, wells,
Palaces, civil lines, human habitations, places of worship like temples, multi-storeyed
towers, cenotaphs sacred precincts were given proper space as per requirement of thecontemporary society resided within the premises of the forts.
Key words: Historical Monuments, Heritage, Archaeological Sites, Architectural
Introduction
In India, the first instance of conservation was when Emperor Ashok ordered to conservewildlife in the 3rd century BC. Then in the 14th century AD, Firuz Shah Tughlaq ordered toprotect ancient buildings. Later, during the British Rule, the “Bengal Regulation (XIX)” waspassed in 1810, and the “Madras Regulation (VII)” was passed in 1817. These regulations
vested the government with the power to intervene whenever the public buildings were
under these regulations vested the government with the power to intervene whenever the
public buildings were under threat of misuse. Then in 1863, Act XX was passed whichauthorised the government to “prevent injury to and preserve buildings remarkable for their
antiquity or for their historical or architectural value”. However, many historic structures
were destroyed by the government (pre independence) itself in Shahjahanabad. The
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1861 to initiate legal provision toprotect the historical structures all over India. The “Ancient Monuments Preservation Act(VII)” was passed in 1904 which provided effective preservation and authority over themonuments, and in 1905 for the first time, 20 historic structures in Delhi were ordered to
be protected.
At the time of independence, 151 buildings and complexes in Delhi were protectedby the central ASI. The State Department of Archaeology was set up in 1978 in Delhi, but
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it lacks the power to acquire or protect buildings, and merely looks after some monuments
denotified by ASI. In 1984, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)
was founded to stimulate awareness for conservation of cultural heritage among thepeople. Some studied have been conducted like In1975 Feilden, estimated that by the endof the century only10 percent of the architectural heritage will “survive”, 1989, he gave amore “optimistic” estimation, saying that hopefully it will be more than 20 percent. to asimilar conclusion came Winkler 1973, who included results of many different studies onstone deterioration (time lapse) and concluded that most of the stones surfaces should bestrongly deteriorated by the end of the 20thcentury. The Constitution of India has divided
the jurisdiction over these monuments, cultural heritage, and archaeological sites.
Study Area
Study focused on sustainability of selected historical heritage sites like forts and palaces ofthe Mewar region. An attempt has been made to analyse an architectural importance of theworld class heritage sites like Chittaurgarh and Kumbhalgarh forts and two historicalpalaces like City Palace of the Udaipur city, Hadi Rani Palace of the Slumber. Suchhistorical monuments not only have still their existence within premises but also have theirsocio –cultural impact too.
Figure 01: Study Area, Mewar Region and Selected Heritage Sites

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Geographical Location
The Mewar Region is located in the southern Rajasthan and astronomically situatedbetween 23 º 50’to 25º 55’ North Latitudes and 73º 07’and 75º 51’East. It includes thepresent-day districts of Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Udaipur and Pratapgarh. It is acompact land mass bordered by the district of Dungarpur and Banswara in the south, thedistrict of Pali and Sirohi in the west and the district of Ajmer and Tonk in the North andBundi and Kota in the East. In terms of geographical regions, study region is bordered by
Malwa and Hadoti regions in the east, Aravali range in the North-West and khari river in the
North and Mahi river basin in the south.
Historical BackgroundIn fact, main threat is to be maintained an originality of the heritage monuments located on
the in various places of the region. Which have been developed by the past generationthat we observe today and to be sustained for future generations also. Indeed, heritage
monuments are the imprint of our cultural heritage that have been provided foe us by thepast generations. Thus considering the back ground our historical heritage, it would be verymuch logical to mention that Professor A. N. Bhattacharya (2000) discussed the historicalimportance of the heritage sites in his book (Human Geography of the Mewar) andemphasized that the “Fort as a key element of the cultural heritage and elaborated that
“Forts not merely served as Garrisons, but have also been places of great architectural
beauty, embodied in various types of structures, the massive walls, lofty gateway, palaces,
pillars, temples, cenotaphs, pillared ,halls, water reservoirs and each of the gateways of
Chittaurgarh and of the same number at Kumbhalgarh does not only example of attempt at
maximum possible defence capability by virtue of locational orientation and massivenessof each of these gateways, but also as objects of great architectural and artistic splendour.”In the study region, where the defence system comprising of series of walls, ramparts,
bastions, battlements, towers, moats, and gates were supplemented by the socio-economic
as well as cultural arrangements and structures within the fort, such as provision of land for
agriculture purposes water reservoirs, and wells,
According to Tod, J. (Annals andAntiquities of Rajasthan Vol. I p. 231, 1971, New Delhi) as many as 84 forts were erected
through –out Mewar for its defence , of which has many as 83 were constructed by the
Maharana Kumbha alone . As per present findings, there were in all 93 forts of which 7
have been shown to be in ruins and these have been located in the different locations of
the Mewar region. Of course 93 forts, 82 were found to be in the former Mewar or Udaipur
state at present covered by the Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh, Rajsamand and Pratapgarh andUdaipur district, while 5 forts are Located in “Vagad” i. e. Dungarpur and Banswara districts
and 6 in adjoining cultural region of “Malwa” located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, partsof which at a time were included in the state of Mewar.
Review of Important work on Heritage Studies
The literature Review reveals that many authors have written on cultural and historical
heritage towards sustainable developments and conservations of monuments. A very few
authors have worked on the various location which have their geographical and cultural
relevance. The state possesses a rich cultural heritage evident in these famous historicalmonuments in form of forts temples, museums, lakes etc. Bruce M. (1994) focused onstress-capability framework, the problems and opportunities for sustainable development
at the village level in Bali are examined. Balinese culture incorporates a traditional form of
local government which emphasizes cooperation, consensus building, and balance. These
aspects provide a strong foundation for sustainable development initiatives. At the sametime, many decisions are being taken external to the villages, and even to Bali which mayleads to problems for development initiate. Robinson Rowan, J., Andrea, R. & William, W.
(1995) explained Sustainable Development and the Development Control Process. This
paper explained the far local planning authorities, through their development control
powers, are likely to be able to fulfil this role. It concludes that a dramatic change in thesystem is not required but that some difficulties could arise. These difficulties focus on the64interrelation between the presumption in favour of development and the precautionary
approach, the elasticity of the term 'other material considerations', the 'once and for all'nature of development control and the problem of determining whether development will
be sustainable.
Conclaves (2007) has presented an overview of how integrated conservation ofurban scale heritage is managed in the urban rehabilitation practice in Portugal and its
relation with local urban planning. The central argument is that the safeguard of urban scale
heritage is mainly a question of urban management and urban planning, which necessarily
implies a framework that results from conciliation among the culture and the land use
administrations. Rojas (2007) The conservation and development of the urban heritage: A
task for all social actors. There is a growing interested in Latin America for preserving anddeveloping the rich urban heritage of the region. Communities are pressing governments
for more action and supporting the allocation of funds to these uses. The article argues thatthe sustainable conservation of urban heritage sites requires: putting the heritage assets
to uses for which a demand exists and the involvement of all social actors in their mostefficient capacity and in accordance with their best interests. Smith, H. & Azcona, E. J. L.
(2012) has explained the historical development of built heritage awareness andconservation policies: a comparison of two World Heritage Sites: Edinburgh and Salvador
do Bahia. Values regarding built heritage have developed historically in response to bothinternational agendas and local circumstances, and have underpinned the creation ofWorld Heritage Sites and regeneration approaches within these.
Bertacchini, E. & Segre, G. (2016). discussed “Culture, sustainable development
and social quality: A paradigm shift in the economic analysis of cultural production andheritage conservation”. The aim of this paper the special issue is to address the changing
paradigm that the economic analysis of cultural production and heritage preservation has
undergone. New emphasis on the role of creativity in society, the spread of the digital
revolution and the reconsideration of culture and heritage as drivers of sustainable
development and social quality are radically changing the analytical perspectives andresearch agenda. Tiwari, R. & Patel J. (2016) analysed Cultural Heritage and Indian
Economy in terms of Cultural heritage, classic and contemporary, contributes to the identityand branding of territory, so relevant in an age of globalization and fierce competition, as
also the base for sustainable and endogenous development. Vyas, P. R. & Paliwal, V. S.
(2016) studied on “Urban heritage conservation and management: A geographical analysis
of Udaipur city of Rajasthan, in terms of importance of conservation and sustainability ofUrban Heritage and historical monuments. In fact, Urban heritage one area that always
considered as humane, socio-cultural and economic asset observed by various researchscholars in terms of architectural values that have been produced by successive andexisting cultures and an accumulation of traditions and experiences, recognized as such intheir diversity.
Objectives
Following objectives have been taken into considered as given under: To understand the historical background of the heritage sites of the study region.
 To discuss the importance of architectural values of heritage sites.
 To focus the practices of conservation of heritage sites and monuments.
 To project policy implication for sustainability of heritage sites.
Major Heritage Sites
Nevertheless, key elements of historical heritage are historical forts of the region which are
pride of the Country like Chittaurgarh Fort and Kumbhalgarh Fort etc. also declared asworld heritage sites by the UNESCO. In fact, need for secured living like those of food andtool making has been among the fundamental human needs in all ages. Thus such typeof fortification has been ranging from thorny hedges of stockades of the primitive times tomore sophisticated fortification forms undertaken by early civilized peoples of the Fertile65

Crescent extending from old civilizations. Fortification have been devised in India from thetimes of the Indus valley urban Civilization to those of the Vedic times. Major forts of the
Mewar are Chittaurgarh, and Kumbhalgarh located in the central western part of the region
respectively. Major forts like Chittaurgarh and Kumbhalgarh and Palaces(mahal) such as
City palace of the Udaipur city and Slumber Rawala (Palace)of the Mewar region havebeen taken into account of the study on the basis historical importance and theirgeographical location.
Table 01: Characteristics of the Selected Heritage Sites of the Study Region#
1

Name of
Heritage Site
Chittaurgarh
Fort(Chittaurgarh
District)2

Kumbhalgarh(Rajsamand
District)

3

City Palace
Udaipur(Udaipur City)

4

Hada Rani
palace(Slumber Town
Udaipur District)

Heritage
Importance
Historical Heritage
site, as world
heritage site
recognized By
UNESCOHistorical Heritage
Fort as world site
heritage recognized
By UNESCO
Historical heritage
site

Present status

Efforts forConservation
Monitoring and
Maintenanceby ASI / RTDC,
GOR

Efforts for
Sustainability
Developed
Infrastructure by
the state Govt.
for tourism

Fort has its
existence and also
one of the major
attraction for tourism
Touristic Importance

Monitoring and
Maintenanceby ASI/ RTDC,
GOR
Monitoring by
Mewar Trust /RTDC GOR/ ASI

Developed
Infrastructure by
the state Govt.
for tourism
Infrastructuredeveloped by the
Mewar Trust/State govt.

Historical Heritage
site

Regional tourism

Monitoring at
Private level

Some of theState Govt
offices arelocated in the fort

Fort has its
existence and one of
the major attraction
for tourism

Chittorgarh Fort
The famous Chittor Garh (Fort) is situated on the plateau of Aravali Hills located in
Chittaurgarh city, which is one of the largest forts in India and Asia. Hindu rulers fought
fiercely to maintain their independence. Chittaurgarh fort is originally called Chitrakuta, andthe Chittorgarh is said to have been built by Chitranga, a king of the Maurya (mori) clan. It
was constructed by the Mauryans in the 7th century AD. There is also a belief that it wasconstructed by Bhima of the Pancha Pandavas. This fort was the citadel of many great
Indian warriors such as Gora, Badal, Rana Kumbha, Maharana Pratap, Jaimal, Patta, etc.

Plate 01: Chittaurgarh Fort: It was the Capital of Mewar Region in Medieval Age(Between 7th- 16th Century AD)

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Kumbhalgarh (literally "Kumbhal fort")
The Kumbhalgarh fort have been built by King Samprati of the Maura Age for strategic pointof view and due to its geographical locational importance during the 6th century.
Kumbhalgarh in its current shape was built by Rana Kumbha who was the Rana (King) of
the Mewar belonged to the Sisodia Rajput clan. The fort was built under architect of theera, Mr. "Madan” as assigned by Maharana Kumbha. It was the Maha Rana Kumbha’s
kingdom of Mewar was extended and stretched from Ranthambore to Gwalior and included
large tracts of erstwhile Madhya Pradesh as well as Rajasthan. There were out of the 84
forts in his dominion and32 of them built by the Rana Kumbha and out of which
Kumbhalgarh is the largest and most elaborate fort. Geographically the fort of Kumbhalgarh
is situated on the top of the hills of the southern Aravali Hills near Mt. Jarga Ji (second
highest peak after Mt. Guru Shikhar) and also separated Mewar (Eastern plain region ofRajasthan) and Marwar (Western Desert Region of Rajasthan) from each other.

Plate 02: Overview of Kumbhalgarh Fort
Kumbhalgarh is known as the strongest fort among major forts of the country. There
are different important structures that had been built during the initial stage of theconstruction of the fort of Kumbhalgarh including Palace (Badal Mahal) Great Boundary
wall of Fort (Chardiwari), temples (Jain and Shiva), residential houses of public resided in
the premises of the fort roads made by boulders, water tanks, ware houses for protectionof grains and other structures constructed for the sources of Drinking water like wells,
stepping wells, (kund and Baories) etc. There are Magnificent 52 cenotaphs (Chatries) of
Jain Temple constructed inside of fort of Kumbhalgarh. Where Parsva Natha temple built
during 1513 AD, other Jain temples located on the eastern side and Bawan (52) Jain
temples and Golera Jain temple the major Jain temples constructed in the fort.
City Palace of Udaipur
The City Palace was built concurrently with the establishment of the Udaipur city by
Maharana Udai Singh II and his successor Maharanas over a period of the next 400 years.
The Maharanas lived and administered their kingdom from this palace, thereby making thepalace complex an important.

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Plate 03: Historic land mark having Architectural Importance known as the “City
Palace of the Udaipur City”
Slumber Palace (Raoalas)
Hadi Rani was the Hada Rani was the queen of the Maharana Raj Singh Rajasthan in India.
She was a daughter of a Hada Chauhan Rajput married to a Chundawat chieftain of
Slumber in Mewar who sacrificed herself to motivate her husband to go to war. When
(1653–1680) Mewar called his commander to join the battle against Aurangzeb, thecommander, having married only a few days earlier hesitated about doing so. Perceptionsof Rajput honour caused him to join the battle despite his reservations. He asked his wife,
Hadi Rani, for some memento to take with him to the battlefield. Thinking that she was an
obstacle to his doing his duty for Mewar, she cut off her head and put it on a plate. He
fought bravely, making the Aurangzeb forces flee, and after his victory, he got to his knees
and cut his neck, having lost the desire to live. There are various water tanks constructedalong with the strong wall of the fort. Such Baories, stepping wells and Tanks were treatedas sources of Drinking water locally known as, Kund and Baories. The premises of the fort
have some building structures presently which are being used for Government schools,
govt. offices etc.
Planning for Heritage Conservation
Conservation of heritage places initiated by the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) forsome selected areas of the study region. As per survey reported by historians who were
working on architectural monuments and heritage places like forts, temples, stepped wells,(Kund and Baories) have observed that many historic monuments seemingly deteriorated
at a much higher rate than it should have been expected only by natural ageing. Someobservations have been taken into consideration for planning of heritage conservation as
given under: This effect could be visualized impressively in comparative studies of documents thatshowed the preservation state of some monuments at the beginning of the20th century
and approx.
 It was well understood, that scientific research is necessary to understand theprocesses of deterioration of materials and also to develop methods for rehabilitationand conservation of the endangered heritage.
 It is not possible to give here an overview of all activities and achievements that havebeen done at different level like for the protection of historic and monuments and thespecific research for a better understanding of their decay processes.
 Many different disciplines from science, humanities, architecture, engineering,
geographers, and others can come together and try to find solutions for problems andthey can share their experiences.
68

Such cooperation needed several years of intensive exchange and discussions and it
seems that it started to work now for sustainability of heritage monuments.

Sustainability of the Heritage Sites
Sustainability means keep alive or to prove true that provide base for the protection of the
Heritage sites. Basic idea behind sustainability of the heritage sites is to develop a process
in which heritage structure can be sustained for future generation. Evidently that can be
maintained through monitoring system and also having coordination between the different
agencies which are working in that direction under the guide line given by theArchaeological Survey of India (ASI) and other agencies are State Department of Tourism(RTDC) and local administration too. Evidently the whole variety of historic building
structures and other monuments consisting out of a variety of stone material, metals, brickstructures and many other different cultural materials do behave in their environment
differently that varies place to place and even region to region and country to country too.
Efforts can be done towards sustainability:
1. Sustainable development always focuses on inter –generational fairness in the
exploitation of development opportunities.
2. Thus Heritage structures always symbolized culture of the past generation, can betraced through carving on stones, figures depicted on the walls of the palaces, forts,
temples, towers, stepping wells, cenotaphs, boundary walls of the forts etc. should be
intact in all respect.
3. Measures initiated toward sustainability for the heritage monuments is based on pure
empirical knowledge are certainly a good prevention.
4. Although scientific research gives clear results, however often not much success whenapplied in practice but initiation and efforts in terms of sustainability is always
appreciated to maintain existence of each and every monument in the region at someextent.
5. The main achievement of the years lying now behind us was the creation of aninterdisciplinary cooperation of all persons and bodies that integrated both scientific andpractical experiences.
Conclusion
It is concluded that the conservation of heritage structures like forts and historicalmonuments are an interdisciplinary effort, wherein traditional knowledge on building
materials, techniques and specifications are brought to the realm of current practitioners ofconservation engineering, with the intent of merging them with modern tools and practices.
While formal systemsthat was recognised for conservation of heritage monuments as aninterdisciplinary engineering effort, with structural safety as a critical determinant should beapplied toward sustainability. In fact, quality and quantity of the manpower is a serious
problem that should be solved through employment generations and opportunities should
be given to the local people. Those who are experienced persons or have been working in
the relevant field and addressing the task of understanding and protecting heritage
structures and applied their skill for protection from natural hazards, ageing and weathering
effects.
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