Civil defence mock drills today: When India 'hid' Taj Mahal amid Pakistani airstrikes in 1971

Civil defence mock drills are being conducted across 244 districts today amid rising tensions with Pakistan in wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam terror attack and the retaliatory strikes by Indian armed forces on terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan. The measures to be taken during the mock drills include the operationalisation of air-raid warning sirens, training civilians on civil-defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a "hostile attack" and cleaning bunkers and trenches. The other measures are provisions for crash-blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations and updating and rehearsing evacuation plans.

Among these, camouflaging vital installations is one such exercise that stands out for its symbolic and strategic resonance. It's a scenario that harks back over five decades, to a moment when India faced the very real prospect of war and responded with quiet ingenuity: hiding the Taj Mahal.

When war clouds gathered over Agra

In late 1971, as tensions escalated with West Pakistan (now Pakistan) over the humanitarian crisis and political turmoil in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), India braced for full-scale war.

Back then, India conducted similar civil defence mock drills for the possibility of full-scale conflict.

Amidst concerns that key heritage and strategic sites could be bombed, the Indian government activated civil defence protocols across major cities—including Agra, home to the 17th-century Mughal marvel, the Taj Mahal.

The camouflage operation

In a sudden escalation on December 3, 1971, Pakistan launched a surprise aerial offensive – Operation Chengiz Khan – against Indian military installations. The attack targeted several Indian Air Force (IAF) bases across the Western front, spanning Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

One of the targets was the Kheria Airbase in Agra, alarmingly close to the Taj Mahal. While the airbase suffered minor damage after being bombed by two Pakistani jets, the incident raised alarm bells.

The surprise aerial attack raised concerns that Pakistan's air force might target cultural sites in India, such as the Taj Mahal, to demoralize the population. Additionally, its prominent structure could inadvertently serve as a visual aid for enemy pilots to locate the Kheria Airbase for subsequent attacks.

From the next day, The Archaeological Survey of India, with support from military and civil authorities, undertook the mission to camouflage the monument.

The Taj Mahal's bright white marble, easily visible from afar and especially from the air, was hidden under large green-dyed jute tarpaulins to blend with the surrounding vegetation.

“It took two days to wrap the Taj with the tarpaulin that weighed over 18,700 lbs (8,482 kg),” said Nathi Lal, a monument worker who was part of the effort, in an interview with The Irish Times.

He further stated that over 598 kilograms of nails and 63 thick sewing needles were employed to secure the covering.

To further camouflage the Taj Mahal, crews covered the minarets with foliage and spread sand on the marble floor to reduce its shine. Additionally, the surrounding lights were turned off each evening, security was increased, and tourists were restricted from the area.

The Taj Mahal Under Camouflage During WWII -Taj Mahal, an immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631-1648 CE, by order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1628-1658 CE) in the memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India pic.twitter.com/KTyGa9CUIa
Archaeo - Histories (@archeohistories) March 4, 2024

The measures taken at the Taj Mahal were not unique. Reportedly, similar protective installations were set up at other heritage sites, including the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and the Jaisalmer Fort. Additionally, dummy replicas were built near these sites to confuse enemy pilots and evade radar.

Interestingly, India wasn't the originator of this protective tactic. During World War II in 1942, the British, fearing German and Japanese air raids on the Taj Mahal, erected bamboo scaffolding around its dome to make it appear like a bamboo stockpile from an aerial perspective.

The 1971 war saw a revival of civil defence measures reminiscent of World War II. Blackouts were enforced in major cities, air raid sirens installed, and drills conducted to prepare the population for emergencies. The camouflaging of the Taj Mahal was part of this broader civil defence effort—a mix of preparedness, symbolism, and strategic foresight.

Fast forward to 2025, the nationwide drills on May 7 follow a similar philosophy: preparing civilian authorities and the general public for potential threats, particularly amid a spike in hostilities with Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack. While the drills are not an indicator of imminent war, they are a signal that India is alert and ready—not just militarily, but on the civilian front too.