Delhi’s Bara Khamba Cemetery removed from Centre’s protected monuments list

Bara Khamba Cemetery in Delhi has been removed from the Centre’s list of protected monuments, one of 18 sites delisted since 2021.

Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat gave the figure in a written Rajya Sabha reply. He said the sites were removed after being found to have ceased to be of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

The 18 sites also include a banyan grove described as being of “great antiquity”, with traces of ancient buildings. The parliamentary response did not specify the reasons for removing each site.

Shekhawat said the Archaeological Survey of India currently cares for and maintains 3,688 centrally protected monuments and sites across the country. He said conservation, maintenance and development work at these locations is carried out according to need and the availability of resources.

Bara Khamba Cemetery is therefore no longer protected by the Centre under the 1958 Act.