Q. What is an ancient monument?

Ans. In the AMASR Act, ancient monument means 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 provided it has been in existence for not less than one hundred years.Definition of monument in the Act, also includes the remains or the site of an ancient monument. Not only that the portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument which may be required for fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving such monument, and the means of access to the monument are also termed as ancient monument.

Q. How a monument is declared protected?

Ans. Where the Central Government is of opinion that any ancient monument is of national importance it issues a notification (preliminary) in the Official Gazette, of its intention to declare such ancient monument to be of national importance. A copy of every such notification shall be affixed in a conspicuous place near the monument.The notification gives two months’ notice. After the issue of the notification, any person, who may be, interested in any such ancient monument may, object to the declaration within two months. After considering the objections, received during this period, the Central Government may declare the ancient monument to be of national importance by publishing the notification (final) in the Official Gazette.A notification published under section 4 (3) makes the ancient monument to be of national importance for the purposes of this Act.