ASI-Protected Monuments in Gujarat: Ahmedabad City Leads, Panchmahal District Dominates the State
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During a recent parliamentary session (Lok Sabha) on July 29, 2025, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendrasinh Shekhawat provided updated details on the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) protected monuments in Gujarat. He confirmed that the state has 205 centrally protected monuments under the ASI’s purview.
Within the state, Panchmahal district, encompassing Champaner and Pavagadh Hill, emerges as the leader with 42 protected sites—the highest among all districts. In contrast, Ahmedabad district overall has 28 protected monuments, but Ahmedabad city alone houses 37 such monuments—making it the city with the most ASI-supervised heritage sites in Gujarat.
Shekhawat noted that ASI divides its oversight in the state between two circles: Vadodara, which manages 159 monuments, and Rajkot, overseeing 46 monuments across Gujarat. The Minister emphasized that conservation and restoration work is initiated as needed, based on available funding and the importance of each monument. Notable sites under ASI maintenance include Sun Temple at Modhera, Rani Ki Vav at Patan, and the Champaner‑Pavagadh complex.
In response to prior parliamentary queries, Shekhawat also affirmed that regular inspections ensure none of the centrally protected monuments are in a “dilapidated condition.” He reiterated ASI’s systematic preservation policy backed by periodic inspections and region-wise monitoring teams.
Summing up, Gujarat’s rich tapestry of historical monuments—from the urban heritage in Ahmedabad city to the ancient hills of Champaner‑Pavagadh in Panchmahal—is under active ASI stewardship. Strategic conservation efforts continue, driven by resource allocation and cultural significance, aiming to preserve these treasures for future generations.
