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Armenian cemetery in dire straits
Asif Yar Khan
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Falling on bad days:The Armenian cemetery covered with debris at Uppuguda
- PHOTO: G. RAMAKRISHNA
It is one of the listed Archeological monuments of the city. But a look at
the ground conditions paints a picture of neglect. Literally.
The Armenian cemetery at Uppuguda belonging to the Qutb Shahi period
is on the verge of extinction. Lumps of trash and debris occupy a
major portion of the three centuries old cemetery which remains hidden
amidst thick wild vegetation.
In fact, one has to pass through a small narrow passage to get into
this godforsaken place. Ironically, the locals themselves are unaware
of the importance of the place. Ask any individual about it and one
would draw blank replies.
Armenians came to India as traders through the overland route much
before the advent of European traders into India. In fact, they came
here seven centuries before Vasco-da-Gama reached India. Realising the
importance of the Armenian cemeteries and churchyards, which are the
only attested sources of their presence, the Department of Archaeology
has declared it a protected monument under the Archaeological Sites
and Remains Act, 1960.
Ironically, the ground situation is deteriorating with every passing
day. Anti-social elements slip into the premises and resort to
nefarious activities after sunset. A lone rundown notice board erected
at the place has also disappeared over a period of time.
Locals suspect land grabbers might be eyeing the cemetery which is
situated amidst a thickly populated locality. None knows how many
graves exist but one can see them getting levelled to the ground.
`First the graves were visible but after people started dumping debris
inside the premises, a few have been levelled off,' says Nagaraj, an
old timer.
`We have not seen any official coming here,' says Krishnaiah, a local
resident of the area.
Lumps of trash and debris occupy a major portion of the monument at
Uppuguda
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article3252478.ece
Asif Yar Khan
Share · print · T+
Falling on bad days:The Armenian cemetery covered with debris at Uppuguda
- PHOTO: G. RAMAKRISHNA
It is one of the listed Archeological monuments of the city. But a look at
the ground conditions paints a picture of neglect. Literally.
The Armenian cemetery at Uppuguda belonging to the Qutb Shahi period
is on the verge of extinction. Lumps of trash and debris occupy a
major portion of the three centuries old cemetery which remains hidden
amidst thick wild vegetation.
In fact, one has to pass through a small narrow passage to get into
this godforsaken place. Ironically, the locals themselves are unaware
of the importance of the place. Ask any individual about it and one
would draw blank replies.
Armenians came to India as traders through the overland route much
before the advent of European traders into India. In fact, they came
here seven centuries before Vasco-da-Gama reached India. Realising the
importance of the Armenian cemeteries and churchyards, which are the
only attested sources of their presence, the Department of Archaeology
has declared it a protected monument under the Archaeological Sites
and Remains Act, 1960.
Ironically, the ground situation is deteriorating with every passing
day. Anti-social elements slip into the premises and resort to
nefarious activities after sunset. A lone rundown notice board erected
at the place has also disappeared over a period of time.
Locals suspect land grabbers might be eyeing the cemetery which is
situated amidst a thickly populated locality. None knows how many
graves exist but one can see them getting levelled to the ground.
`First the graves were visible but after people started dumping debris
inside the premises, a few have been levelled off,' says Nagaraj, an
old timer.
`We have not seen any official coming here,' says Krishnaiah, a local
resident of the area.
Lumps of trash and debris occupy a major portion of the monument at
Uppuguda
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article3252478.ece