IndiaPosted at: Oct 16 2026 11:35PM


Centre proposes national monument status for three ancient rock painting sites in Agra

New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) The Centre has moved to bring three ancient rock painting sites in Uttar Pradesh's Agra district under national protection, proposing to declare the painted rock shelters at Rasulpur, Patsal and Jajauli villages as monuments of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
The Ministry of Culture, through the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), has issued a Gazette notification identifying 2.026 hectares of land across the three sites for proposed protection.
All three sites are situated on land owned by the Uttar Pradesh government.
According to notification the proposed monuments include Cheel-Ki-Gupha at Rasulpur village, Nai-Ki-Gupha at Patsal village and a painted rock shelter at Jajauli (Madanpura).
The largest site, Cheel-Ki-Gupha, covers one hectare of land falling under part of Khasra No. 276 at Rasulpur. Nai-Ki-Gupha at Patsal covers 0.396 hectare under part of Khasra No. 718/2, while the Jajauli rock shelter extends over 0.63 hectare under part of Khasra No. 138.
The notification states that the Central Government is of the opinion that the identified ancient monuments are of national importance and has accordingly initiated the statutory process for their declaration under Section 4(1) of the 1958 Act.
The ASI has published separate site plans detailing the locations, revenue boundaries and land parcels proposed to be brought under protection.
The move marks a step towards extending central archaeological protection to the three rock art sites in Agra district, which is widely known for its Mughal-era architectural heritage.
However, the proposed national importance status has not yet been finalised. The government has invited objections from interested persons within two months from the date of the notification.
Representations can be submitted to the Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, at 24 Tilak Marg, New Delhi-110001,
The notification states that objections received within the prescribed period will be considered by the Central Government before a final decision is taken.
Once formally declared monuments of national importance, the sites would become subject to the central conservation and protection framework prescribed under the 1958 Act.
The notification does not specify the age of the rock paintings, their archaeological chronology or any financial allocation for conservation work. The notification was issued by ASI Director General Yadubir Singh Rawat.
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