Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai, presents in colloboration with
Museum Society of Mumbai
8th Vimal Shah Memorial Lecture
ASI’s conservation projects: The ongoing works at Ta Prohm Temple in Cambodia
The ASI is restoring the Ta Prohm Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia, which attracts
hundreds of tourists every day, in a partnership project of the Archaeological Survey of
India with APSARA National Authority in cooperation with UNESCO. The Ta Prohm
complex was built by the Khmer king Jayavarman VII circa 1181. UNESCO declared Angkor
a World Heritage Site in December 1992, and Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Prea Khan, Bayon,
Beng Mealea and other complexes were recognised as World Heritage Monuments.
Janhwij Sharma
Janhwij Sharma is a conservation architect by training and is currently Joint Director
General (Conservation / World Heritage), Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Since 2008
his prime responsibility has been to assist the Director General, ASI in finalising
conservation programmes of all circles and monitoring conservation of ASI monuments
within and outside the country. His major successful projects include Conservation of Red
Fort and Purana Qila and Site Management Plan for Taj Mahal (under Hon’ble Supreme
Court’s direction). He has spearheaded the conservation works outside India too,
noticeably the conservation of Ta Prohm temple in Cambodia. He is coordinating and
monitoring the development of amenities (being undertaken with the assistance of
various PSUs) in 100 Adarsh monuments including world heritage monuments. During
Sharma’s tenure, 10 monuments and sites including 3 of the ASI monuments, Rani ki Wav, Hill forts of Rajasthan (4 forts) and Nalanda Mahavihara have become world heritage properties. Sharma lectures extensively on conservation and world heritage
matters. He is a keen traveler and an avid amateur architectural photographer.