Last Sunday, Shridatta Raut, an accountant, who dabbles in fort conservation, spent his morning measuring the stone walls of a creeper-ridden fort in Palghar district. When he got home, he made changes to a map he'd sketched earlier and then posted the modified file on various websites so visitors and other amateur conservationists would benefit from his research. Over the last six years, Raut, who has self-published over 20 books on Maharashtra's forts, has also been excavating the lower levels of this fort with the help of a few volunteers. As evidence of their back-breaking labour, he points to a line—about 8 feet high— dividing the darker upper wall from the lower half, which until recently was buried under mud and debris. "An accounts student has had to become a writer, architect and archaeologist," says Raut, referring to the many hats he wears while pursuing his hobby.
Raut's obsession with forts —he even got married on one— dates back to 2003, when as an aspiring poet, he sought solitude and inspiration in these derelict structures. His dismay at their condition— they were strewn with garbage and crumbling due to neglect —led him to form Kille Vasai Mohim, a group committed to the preservation and documentation of these forts. In order to motivate his troops, who often spend New Year's Eve cleaning water tanks, digging up artefacts and removing weeds from the fort walls, Raut decided to research each fort's history so he could describe historical events while they toiled. He hoped this would instill in them a sense of pride in their work.
He began his research by visiting local libraries, rummaging through national archives and perusing old maps. Soon his research led him to Shivaji Maharaj's historical records written in the ancient Modi script. Raut enrolled himself in a class to learn the script and now teaches it to other enthusiasts. He also gives visitors free tours of various forts —76,000 have benefited so far — and makes regular RTI applications to the Archeological Survey of India to find out what steps are being taken to conserve these structures.
According to Raut's research, only 550 of Maharashtra's 1000 forts are left. Even those still in existence need to be resuscitated. "Kisi ka haath gaya hai, kisi ka pair gaya hai," says Raut, who plans to visit every remaining fort and document each one for posterity. Once he's done, he plans to make a nine-day trek to Raigad fort, which was Shivaji's capital. "I decided to set myself a goal, which would motivate me and keep me going," Raut says.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Accountant doubles up as fort crusader
Dengan url
https://cegahkeropostulang.blogspot.com/2013/11/accountant-doubles-up-as-fort-crusader.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Accountant doubles up as fort crusader
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Accountant doubles up as fort crusader
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar