**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 107, addressed on July 21, 2025, regarding the status of the Ruins of Fort at Bamanpukur in Nadia district, West Bengal, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, stated that the monument is under the active protection and control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Minister clarified that no monument in West Bengal has been reported as untraceable or vanished. However, a recent review by the ASI identified 18 monuments across the country that have ceased to be of national importance and have been delisted vide notification No. 2974 E dated 01.07.2025 and 5178E 02.12.2024. The ASI is undertaking measures to prevent the loss of protected monuments, including periodic site visits by ASI officers, improved monument documentation through digital records and condition mapping, and cultural awareness programs to engage local communities in heritage conservation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for culture.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding the fort.
Ruins of Fort at Bamanpukur, West Bengal: A fort located in Nadia district, West Bengal, which was declared a monument of national importance in 1920.
Nadia district, West Bengal: The district in West Bengal where the Bamanpukur fort is located.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): The Indian government agency responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Culture and Tourism who answered the question in the Lok Sabha.
01.07.2025: Date of notification for delisting monuments.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.107
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025
STATUS OF THE RUINS OF FORT AT BAMANPUKUR, WEST BENGAL
107. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Ruins of Fort at Bamanpukur in Nadia district, West Bengal State declared
a monument of national importance in 1920, have been reported as untraceable;
(b) if so, the reasons for the monument becoming untraceable and the specific challenges
faced in its preservation;
(c) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to
locate and restore the monument, including any recent surveys or excavations
conducted in the area;
(d) whether the Government has identified other monuments in West Bengal or across the
country that are untraceable or have vanished and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the details of the measures being implemented to prevent further loss of such culturally
significant sites, including improvements in monitoring, documentation and community
engagement?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) The Ruins of Fort at Bamanpukur, located in District Nadia, West Bengal, is a
to monument of national importance under active protection and control of Archaeological
(c) Survey of India (ASI).
(d) No monument from the State of West Bengal has been reported as untraceable or
vanished. However, a recent review by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had
identified 18 monuments across the country which have ceased to be of national
importance and have been delisted vide notification No. 2974 (E) dated 01.07.2025 and
5178(E) 02.12.2024.
(e) The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), has undertaken several measures to prevent
the loss of protected monuments and areas. Officers of the ASI conduct periodic visits to
protected monuments and areas within their jurisdiction to assess their conservation
status and to determine necessary repairs and maintenance. Additionally, ASI is
improving monument documentation through digital records and condition mapping.
Further, ASI conducts cultural awareness programmes to educate and engage local
communities in heritage conservation efforts.
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