Who takes care of Dara Shikoh Mosque?

Srinagar, Mar 20: Centuries-old historic monuments at downtown’s Makhdoom Sahib are in ruins, as the state government seems to be paying no attention to them.
An example is the famous Dara Shikoh Mosque, which has over the years suffered a steady damage.
Now, its roof cannot even protect it from rain.
Despite historic designation, the hopes and efforts to preserve and revitalize have faltered.
Similar other monuments too are in ruins.
The State Convener of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) claims that the Dara Shikoh Mosque and the four compartment Hamam comes under the Waqf Board.
Saleem Beigh, Convener INTACH, said the Dara Shikoh Mosque was not a protected mosque “but a property that comes under Waqf board”.
“It has also hamam which consists of four rooms. It is the only surviving mosque hammam from the Mughal era. The hammam was a leisure and multifunctional social place for the Mughals. Both the mosque and hammam comes under the waqf board,” he said.
He claims that one portion of hammam was given to a retired chowkidar and the waqf has even failed to vacate him.
“The mosque and the hamam have an institutionalized ownership,” he said.
“Mullah Akhoon complex is a bigger mosque. It is a nationally protected monument by Archaeology Survey of India (ASI). There has been two damages to the monuments since 2010. The rainfall led to the fall of calligraphic stones. The mosque has a madrassa inside it, which was damaged and has not been even excavated so far,” he said.
He also said the concerned departments have the responsibility to protect the historic monuments and heritages.
However, an official in the Waqf Board said the preservation of historic monuments comes under the department of Archaeology.
“All the historic monuments are under archaeology and it is a notified monument. It needs conservation expertise. But the religious part comes under our department. If there is a need to facilitate religious activities, then only it comes under our department,” he said.
The mosque situated below the Makhdoom Sahib Shrine was constructed in 1639 AD by Dara Shikoh, son of Emperor Shah Jahan, for his tutor Akhoon Mullah Shah (RA). Therefore it is also known as Masjid Akhoon Mullah Shah.
Mohammad Shafi Zahid, Director, Museums and Archaeology Department in Srinagar, said it was the responsibility of people to come forward and help in restoration and preservation of the monuments.
“People should help to remove the encroachments as well.”
He also said that their department has restored many historic places like the Hari Parbhat fort.
R P Singh, Conservation Assistant, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said they cannot renovate the mosque and the monuments.
“We have been working on the preservation of the monuments and the mosque and we are on it. But our job is to preserve not to renovate.”