Britishers tombs in state of neglect

Rajamahendravaram: The age-old tombs of Britishers located on the banks of river Godavari at Pushkar Ghat in the city are creating panic among people who comes for a holy dip in the river.

The cemetery area was inaccessible to tourists’ due to growth of thorny bushes and snakes and the tombs are lying in a state of utter neglect. The cemetery area was cleaned in connection with Godavari Maha Pushkaralu-2015 and from then respective officials not visited the area.

The Archaeology Department in 1960 declared the cemetery as an ancient monument and protecting it. The tomb of Matelda (daughter of delta architect and irrigation engineer Sir Arthur Cotton) also there along with some of the relatives of Cotton and some Britishers.

There are as many as 19 tombs in an area of 1,000 square yards. Matelda died with plague and buried on July 13, 1846 when Cotton was busy in constructing barrage across river Godavari at Dowleswaram. The tombs constructed for other Britishers are Arthur Garland Blake, Alexander, John Keeling, Catherine, Sophia Catherine, Annin, John and Clementina Maria. The cemetery area was declared as an ancient monument in 1885 by Department of Archaeology.

Meanwhile some locals used the place to offer prayers there. A tourist M Vamana Rao of Nellore said the poor maintenance of cemetery is a glaring example of apathy of officials towards delta architect Sir Arthur Cotton. He underlined the need to clear the bushes immediately to give access to people comes from far off places.

Noted historian YS Narasimha Rao said he identified the tombs in 1959 and informed to government. But now the poor maintenance of cemetery is nothing but to insult to delta architect and engineer Sir Arthur Cotton.

When contacted, Archaeology Department Assistant Director M Venkata Ratnam said that proposals were sent to government for funds to clear the cemetery area. “Once we get funds, the bushes will be cleared,” he added.