What is an Ancient Monument?
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 defines Ancient Monument as any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than 100 years.
Criterion for the declaration of Monument of National Importance
The Archaeological Survey of India declares a site as Monument of National importance based on the following criterion:
- The remains of an ancient monument
- The site of an ancient monument
- The land on which there are fences or protective covering structures for preserving the monument
- Land by means of which people can freely access the monument
Monuments of national importance declared in 2018
The six monuments declared as Monuments as Monuments of national importance in 2018 are:
- Old High Court Building in Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Haveli of Agha Khan in Agra
- Haveli of Hathi Khana in Agra
- Neemrana Baori in Rajasthan’s Alwar district
- Group of Temples at Ranipur Jharail in Odisha’s Bolangir district
- Vishnu Temple in Kotali, Pithoragarh district, Uttarkhand.