Protected Muslim-era tomb razed in India

NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A centuries-old tomb linked to a Mughal-era administrator was demolished in India’s eastern state of Bihar, despite being officially protected by the country’s archaeological authorities, prompting outrage among local residents, historians and rights advocates.

According to Clarion India, the Shamsher Khan Tomb in Aurangabad district was vandalized and reduced to rubble earlier this week, with both graves inside the complex destroyed before authorities were alerted. A guard stationed at the site reportedly informed officials on Wednesday morning, by which time the damage had already been done.

The monument is listed as a protected structure under the Archaeological Survey of India, the federal agency responsible for conserving historical sites. Police and district officials reached the location only after the demolition had taken place, raising questions about security and oversight at protected monuments.

Local activists and residents say the destruction reflects long-standing official neglect. Wasim Aurangabadi, a social activist from the area, described the incident as an assault on collective memory rather than mere vandalism. He said repeated appeals for security and maintenance had gone unheeded, leaving the site vulnerable.

Shamsher Khan, whose original name was Ibrahim Khan Qureshi, served as a regional administrator during the Mughal period and was later appointed governor of Bihar in the early 18th century. 

He was closely associated with Prince Azim-ul-Shan and is remembered locally for maintaining communal harmony. He was buried in Shamsher Nagar, the settlement he founded, after being killed in battle.

Despite its historical significance and its inclusion on Bihar’s tourism list, residents say the tomb complex was left without round-the-clock protection. Over time, locals allege, the area became unsafe, discouraging families and visitors from accessing the site.

Another local activist, Mushtaq Hussain, said the demolition was the result of sustained administrative indifference. He said warnings about the site’s deteriorating condition were repeatedly conveyed to authorities, but no preventive steps were taken.

For many Indian Muslims, the incident has reignited broader anxieties about the fate of Muslim-era heritage sites across the country. Analysts and civil rights advocates note that monuments linked to Islamic history are increasingly vulnerable — not only to overt attacks, but also to neglect that effectively leaves them unprotected.

As anger continues to build, residents and activists are demanding a high-level inquiry, swift arrests of those responsible, and accountability for officials tasked with safeguarding protected monuments. They argue that the destruction of a legally protected site raises serious questions about the meaning and enforcement of heritage protection in India.