Page:Annual Report of the Archaeological Survey of India 1911-12.pdf/16



F all the Mughal monuments of Delhi which are now invested with so much interest owing to the city having become once more the Capital of the Indian Empire, the Fort of Shah Jahan will, to the majority, appeal the most. The home of the descendants of Timur from the date of its building down to the day when it was taken from the last titular Emperor of Delhi by the British in 1857, it has been the stage of some of the most stirring dramas in Indian history, and as such is invested with a veritable halo of romance. In this article an attempt is made to throw some additional light on its history from evidence-unpublished, it is believed, hitherto-which has been culled from Indian historians by my Assistant Maulvi, Muhammad Shnaih, and to show, also, what has been done in the last decade by the Archaeological Department to make the condition of the Fort worthy of its former glories. Since 1903 several articles have appeared in this Annual on the work that has been going on in the Fort, but, until it was finally worked out, a concise description of the complete scheme of conservation could not be given.

Previous references in the Archeological Survey of India Aanual to Archmological Work in Delhi Fort. Anunt, 1902-03.-Recovery of mosaios from England and account of same, p. 26-27. 1903-04-Repair work at the Moll Masjid p. 5.-Nangar Khana, Rung Mahal and Shah Barj pavilion reclaimed from the Military and waiting repair, discovery of mariile tanks, cascades and fountains in the Sowan and Bhadon pavilions and the Shah Buri, pp. 0, 21, 22. Trial diggings at the Hayat Bakhsh garden and work on the restoration of the Elephant status, p. 22. 1901-05-Monies in the Diwan-i-'Amm, pp. I and 3. First steps in work on the Hayat Bakhsh garden, disclosure of the Zafar Mahal tank, and outline of scheme for restoration of gardons, p. 17. Tank discovered in the Shah Burj, p. 17. Bepaim in the Hammam, p. 18. 1906-06-Damage to Shah Burj by sarthquako, p. 1. Old railings round Diwan-i-Anm, p. 2 Proposals for conservation of Rang Mabal. Naggar Khina; demolition of Milltary bullid. ings in the Hayat Hakhsh garl, and construction of the Zafar Mabal tank, p. 3. Old photographe of Thelbi Fort, showing the Mosamman Barj, Rang Mahal, and old pardak screen, also the Dine-i-khn, eirea 1837, and the channel hebween the Fort a Salimgarb, pp. 29-31. The Delhi Elephant statoes, pp. 33-42 1901-C7.-Moni in Diwan-i-Amm, ronnons for restoration of, p. 2-6, Laying out of Hayat Beltheh gardon. p.6. 1007-08-Progress of work in Delhi Fort, work on the Hayat Rakhsh gandam near the Swan and Bhad pavilions, rostortion of Shah Barj, pp. 2-3. Completion of the restoration of mossies, Diwan-i-Amm, and discovery of fountain barin in the Rang Mahal, p. 3. The Rang Mabal, pp. 28-30. Besides the Editor of this Report, I am indebted also to Dr. Horovits for examining the Persian quotations and their translations, and to De. Vogel, Mr. J. P. Thompson, Mr. Ward and Prof. Arnold for information supplied. B