Delhi's Nicholson Statue no longer a ‘monument of national importance’

Even as the statue was relocated to Northern Ireland in 1958 and only a plaque remains there, the site had continued to retain its 'national importance' status for decades

The central government has revoked the 'monument of national importance' status from the statue of John Nicholson -- a British General who was instrumental in suppressing the first revolt for Indian Independence in 1857 -- in New Delhi, News18 reported.

The removal of the monument's status is particularly noteworthy as it comes more than a century after the original declaration of national importance. About 111 years ago, on December 11, 1913, the Nicholson Statue - along with its platform, surrounding gardens, pathways, and enclosure wall outside the Kashmiri Gate in Delhi – were declared as a site of 'national importance' through a formal notification.

Even as the statue was relocated to Northern Ireland in 1958 and only a plaque remains there, the site had continued to retain its 'national importance' status for decades.

“No objections were received from the public to the making of such declaration by the Central Government. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 35 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, the Central Government hereby declare that the monument, namely, the Nicholson Statue and its platform, and the surrounding gardens, paths and enclosure wall, outside the Kashmiri Gate, Delhi has ceased to be of national importance for the purposes of the said Act," the News18 report quoted a culture ministry notification issued on December 2.

On July 25, the Narendra Modi-led government had issued a public notification signaling its intention to remove the 'national importance' status from the Nicholson monument. The notification provided a two-month window.