Conservation strategies for lesser known heritage in Agra, U.P.

Abstract

Agra is situated in Uttar Pradesh state in Northern India. The city of Agra is much richer in its built of intangible heritage. Agra in known for the Taj. Taj Mahal isn't the just a single monument in Agra. There are so many other Monuments which are testimony during the Mughal era. Commonly the heritage of Agra city is perceived to be of Mughal dynasty but as the definition of heritage has expended little is explored in understanding the true scenario of heritage attributes of the city. Every old structure in this city has a Mughal influence with their high domes and delicate lattice work on the walls. Today, Agra has three World Heritage Sites which are listed by UNESCO which are Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. It has plenty of cultural heritage, tangible and intangible, which are thinks back of its rich past. The heritage of Agra includes monuments and also privately-owned heritage both protected and unprotected, public structures and spaces that embody the many intangible aspects of its rich and diverse culture. The city has rich living traditions-fairs, festivals, crafts and skills. Paradoxically, it is primarily known for the Taj and is the main magnet for a day‟s tourist destination. Kachhpura village is unknown Mughal era monuments and see the village communities as well as a fabulous view of the Taj Mahal. There are many reasons for the heritage being unknown like insufficient management, unsustainable tourism, development pressure, natural disasters and many more due which heritage is losing its identity. Dance events may be not affected by development of tourism industry and increasing to tourism arrivals, but heritage sites may be affected. Sometimes the public access is not suitable due to the site‟s delicacy. Unmanaged tourism development regional planning project can lead to the potential danger. Communities and their everyday activities as well as social economic, military and political issues etc, these all are reasons of being unknown for the heritage site. Key word: Identify, Value, Unexplored Herita