The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has drawn up a Rs 4.10 crore proposal to restore historical monuments and assist in excavating a Buddhist site in Kabul, Afghanistan, that were battered in bomb raids during Taliban rule.

India and Afghanistan agreed to collaborate in a series of heritage conservation programmes after they signed an MoU in the run up to Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s visit in April last year.

Located in the foothills of Kabul city, Tape Norange was a Buddhist settlement of the Kushana period. Several figurines and remnants of temple structures were uncovered during earlier excavations in 2000. The ASI and its Afghan counterpart will partner to investigate the site in three field sessions of 100 days each, expected to start this year.

The proposal said the ASI will also repair broken sculptures and ceramic vases at the Kabul museum following discussions between the two sides. Several objects at the museum were stolen or damaged during the 1979 Soviet invasion, and again in 2001.

They have also selected five heritage structures for restoration. They include the Institute of Archaeology building, three mosques and a mid 18th century tomb of a sufi saint, all scattered around Kabul city. The cost of repair of these monuments have not been included in the proposal’s project costs. Indian officials of the I & B Ministry and ASI visited Afghanistan in October last year. In February this year, a delegation of ASI, National Museum and National Archives of India officials again visited Kabul to finalise the projects. But the proposal is yet to be cleared by the Ministry of External Affairs.

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