Quick read: KK added a Buddhist garden and aviary to underline the Buddhist philosophy of co-existence.

Note: While overseeing the scientific restoration of Sanchi, K.K. Mohammed went beyond preservation, purposefully incorporating elements that reflected Buddhist philosophy. He created a garden inspired by Buddhist literature and an aviary filled with pigeons and ducks, symbolizing peaceful coexistence. Even in the newly built restrooms, he added a thoughtful touch by showcasing pictures of ancient hairstyles. These unique additions contributed to Sanchi receiving the National Tourism Awards in 2005-06.

Picture Credit: MP Tourism

Quick read: The iconic image is of Temple 3 in Nalanda which is a temple built from an ancient stupa

Note: In Nalanda, K.K. prioritized the visitor experience. He meticulously cleared the site to reveal panoramic views and majestic walkways, and established an informative experience center with clear signage. Most visitors readily recognize the iconic Temple No. 3, famous for its unique architecture. To explain its unusual form, K.K. commissioned a small-scale replica, demonstrating how the temple evolved from an ancient stupa later transformed with a Shikara addition.

Picture Credit: Ramanujam SR

Quick read: KK conducted emergency excavations to save the Rajgir stupa which was in the proposed Nalanda Gaya railway corridor.

Note: Explorers had long searched for Buddhist-era stupas in Bihar’s Rajgir region. When a proposed railway corridor threatened to irreversibly damage potential sites, K.K. recognized the urgency. He swiftly obtained emergency approval and spearheaded a rapid excavation, uncovering a stupa with a broken casket. This was confirmed to hold a relic of the Buddha – a discovery made just in time. K.K.’s decisive actions saved the sacred stupa from certain destruction by the planned railway line.

Picture Credit: The mound before excavation. K. K. Muhammed

Quick read: It was the seat of Mauryas and Ashoka.

Note: Kumarahar, located on the outskirts of Patna, once served as the bustling capital of the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka. During his tenure, K.K. recognized the historical significance of this site and initiated its restoration despite the challenges. The RJD was the ruling party at that time. KK strategically rallied support from the media, students, intellectuals, and forward-thinking politicians. Today, although still bearing the marks of time, Kumarahar is surrounded by a secure boundary wall, safeguarding its historical treasures.

Picture Credit: Ramanujam S.R

Quick read: ASI created a fibre glass roof with life like carvings to ensure light weight of the roof

Note: Bhojeshwar, a grand yet incomplete Shiva temple, faced structural challenges. Its open roof allowed rainwater to damage the interior, and its sheer size posed a stability risk. To address this, ASI had to create a roof and add a stabilizing pillar. They ingeniously crafted a lightweight fiberglass roof adorned with rich carvings, ensuring the structure could withstand the additional weight. This solution seamlessly blended with the existing architecture.

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Quick read: The museum has fiberglass replicas of 35 famous sculptures of India.

Note: ASI established a Children’s Museum at Siri Fort, where K.K. passionately pursued his vision of showcasing replicas of famous sculptures under one roof. Students from Bihar skillfully crafted 35 fiberglass replicas of grand sculptures from across India. Among these is the Tala Shiva, an extraordinary and unparalleled sculpture found near Bilaspur.

Picture Credit: Replica of Fasting Buddha. The original is in Lahore Museum

Quick read: KK initiated the search for the remains of assassinated queen in Goa

Note: While posted in Goa, K.K. initiated the search for the mortal remains of Queen Ketavan, the patron saint of Georgia. Tortured to death in 1624 by Persians for refusing to convert to the Shia sect, her remains were brought to Goa for enshrinement. Though K.K. himself did not locate them, his efforts paved the way for their eventual discovery in 2005. Extensive DNA testing in 2013 confirmed the remains’ Caucasian origin, bringing great joy to the people of Georgia. In 2021, India permanently loaned a portion of the remains to Georgia, fostering immense goodwill between the two nations.

Picture Credit: The relics being handed over in Georgia. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Minister in Twitter

Quick read: KK innovatively got another Govt department to pay for land needed by ASI

Note: ASI needed to purchase a piece of land to protect the Amarkantak temple complex, a site associated with Adi Shankaracharya. However, they lacked the required funds. K.K. resourcefully convinced a public sector unit to transfer its long pending dues to ASI to the district collector directly, enabling the land acquisition. This facilitated the removal of encroachments and the subsequent renovation of the temple complex, bringing satisfaction to all involved.

Picture Credit: Amarkantak MP Tourism

Quick Read: KK discovered the precise location where the supposedly world religion, Din E Illahi was founded.

Note: In Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar organized a conference of world religions and founded Din-I-Ilahi. Ibadat Khana was the place where Akbar organized the conference but it hadn’t been conclusively identified within the complex.

As KK was going through some pictures, he came across a painting of Ibadat Khana from the court painter of Akbar. It tallied with a suggestion of a local scholar about the likely place. Based on this, KK obtained authorization for an excavation and the Ibadat Khana perfectly matching with the picture was excavated. This momentous discovery marked a significant milestone in KK’s career.

Picture Credit: Original Painting of Ibadat Khana. Wikimedia Commons

Quick read: KK negotiated with dacoits and got their consent to start the renovation.

Note: Bateshwar posed the greatest restoration challenge for K.K.’s ASI colleagues. The site comprised two hundred miniature temples, built by the great Gujjar kings between the 8th and 11th centuries, lying scattered and in ruins. Once a dacoit haven, K.K. convinced the dacoits of his good intentions, securing their consent for renovation. He explained to a major dacoit that he is a descendant of the kings who built the temples, urging the dacoit to continue his ancestor’s legacy by supporting the restoration. K.K.’s team meticulously renovated 80 of the fallen temples.

Once the dacoits were neutralized by the government, K.K. confronted the emerging dominance of the mining mafia in the area. To curb their activities, he directly appealed to the RSS President, seeking intervention from the then-ruling BJP government.

Picture Credit: Ramanujam S.R