Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 26: Contrary to the Government’s oft-repeated statements laying emphasis on preserving State’s memorabilia for posterity, no step has so far been taken to preserve the Dogra rulers’ treasure, which is lying unattended under the lock and key in Tosha Khana and strong room of Civil Secretariat. As locks were never opened especially after the 2006 fire incident in the historic Mubarak Mandi complex, nobody knows how much damage the memorabilia of this erstwhile Princely State has suffered.
The treasure of Dogra rulers hog the limelight in December 2006 when mysterious fire broke out in the Tosha Khana inside the historic Mubarak Mandi complex. Following the blaze, the valuable articles made up of gold and silver were shifted from the Tosha Khana to a strong room in the Civil Secretariat, Jammu. Only the armory, which the Dogra rulers were using for their as well as security of the citizens of this erstwhile Princely State, was left behind in the Tosha Khana.
The shifting of valuable articles to Civil Secretariat evoked strong protest from cross section of society and some organizations even went to the extent of filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the State High Court against this decision.
The PIL was disposed off by the Division Bench after the Additional Advocate General appearing for the State submitted that Government was very careful in the matter of preservation of these precious antiques and a most safe place would be carved out at Mubarak Mandi complex for shifting back the treasure.
According to the official sources, neither Tosha Khana, which is housing armory nor the strong room in the Civil Secretariat where precious articles were kept have been opened since December 2006. “What to talk of carrying out preservation the Government didn’t even bother to ascertain whether Dogra rulers’ treasure suffered more damages under the lock and key”, they regretted.
“Though it is stated that gold and silver ornaments don’t suffer damages for years in the absence of care yet they can lose the shine, which can be protected only by way of proper preservation”, sources said, adding “similarly the chest, Palki and throne decorated with gold too need preservation in absence of which these articles can decay easily”.
“What to talk of each and every precious article kept in the strong room of Civil Secretariat even the armory needs conservation and any excuse to avoid the same has no ground”, they said. “It is pity that Government, which is every now and then gives statements about preserving memorabilia for posterity, never thought of preserving the treasure of Dogra rulers and putting the same on display for the present generation and the tourists”, sources regretted.
Pointing towards throne of same dynasty on display at Hari Niwas Palace, they said, “there should be no problem in keeping entire treasure of Dogra rulers in a secured place for public display as this would not only attract people of Jammu and Kashmir but also tourists visiting the winter capital of the State”, adding “the display can be even ticketed so that funds generated from this activity could be used for the conservation of the treasure”.
When contacted, Tosha Khana Officer, G D Dogra confirmed that lock was not opened after fire incident of December 2006, adding that one key of the lock is lying with the Deputy Commissioner and another with Tabildar of the Hospitality and Protocol Department.
About conservation, he remarked, “what damage the treasure will suffer when it is under the lock and key and nobody can fiddle with it”.
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