Govt. to take up conservation measures after documentation of monuments by Archaeology Dept.

The Dutch engineering marvels in Krishna and Guntur districts will soon get a new lease of life, with the Department of Archaeology and Museums (Andhra Pradesh) deciding to document them. The government, after assessing the scientific documentation, will initiate conservation measures.

It is learnt that the land within the limits of several Dutch cemeteries along the coastline of Krishna and Guntur districts are owned by the local communities. “The study will begin within a month. A detailed inspection and study will be taken up on Dutch cemeteries in Krishna and Gutur districts,” Department of Archaeology and Museums Assistant Director S. Bangaraiah said.

The government will initiate steps to conserve the listed Dutch sites based on the existing condition of the constructions. Officials will also cover the Dutch sites being conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

In the early 16th century, the Dutch had established factories in Machilipatnam. The Dutch cemetery within the limits of Machilipatnam municipality was occupied by locals at Bandarkota. The fort in Bandarkota village under ASI conservation is related to times of the Dutch, French and the British in India.

Capt. Albert Harvey’s book Ten Years in India reveals that the fort had an arsenal store meant for supply to troops of the Hyderabad and Nagpur subsidiary forces as well as the whole of the northern division of the Army. However, the 1864 cyclone depopulated Bandarkota village, ruining the beauty of the Dutch constructions.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by T. Appala Naidu / Machilipatnam – December 02nd, 2014