This is a project that has the “cooperation” of even dacoits. About 40 km northwest of Gwalior, on the borders of the dacoit hinterland of the Chambal, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been slowly reconstructing an ancient temple complex.

These temples at Bateshwar, numbering around 100, are being erected from their centuries-old debris. The ASI has already reconstructed 15-16 of the temples in the two-and-a-half years since work began in January 2005.

The site, which lies on a mountain slope, dates back to the period between the 6th and 9th Centuries when the Pratihara dynasty held sway. It is not clear when or how these temples were destroyed. The ruins were being used as a hideout by dacoits. Hence, earlier attempts by the ASI to take possession of the site had faced opposition from these gangs.

But in a chance encounter with a group of dacoits on one of his numerous rounds to the site, ASI Superintending Archaeologist, Bhopal Circle, Muhammad K K, was able to convince them about the importance of reconstructing the temples.

“We told them that these temples were of the same deities they worshipped. We tried to convince them that we were neither from the police nor their informers. Fortunately, they were able to see reason and assured us that they would not disturb our work,” said K K who, his juniors say, has been overseeing the work at the site with a missionary zeal.

... contd.