From Cunningham to Curzon

Between 1803 and 1857, Mughal monuments in Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, and Delhi experienced significant disruptions in their maintenance due to British colonial policies. The study reveals that the British government altered the Islamic institution of awqaf, rescinding tax-free status for charitable lands, which led to the decline of several monuments. While some repairs were funded sporadically—such as those directed by Lord Minto and Lord Hastings—the trend reversed in 1847 under Lord Hardinge, accelerating decay. Delhi’s monuments fared better due to revenue from waqf lands, but non-religious structures deteriorated severely. The 1857 Uprising marked a turning point, halting the British government's inconsistent approach to monument preservation.

(Ed.). (2011). From Cunningham to Curzon. Monumental Matters, 49–75. https://doi.org/10.1215/9780822393764-003