Champaner-pavagadh archaeological park: A design approach

Champaner-Pavagadh, like many other heritage sites in India, is both an historic and ethnographic landscape. It possesses a unique status as a medieval cityChampanerfrozen in time, more or less protected by its sudden abandonment 450 years ago. At the same time, it is a living sacred sitePavagadh Hillvisited annually by millions, with a resident population. Efforts are underway to declare the hill and the remains of the medieval city at its foot an archaeological park, which will ensure protection and conservation of cultural and natural resources. The challenge in designing the site as an archaeological park lies in articulating the pastoral image conjured up by the term in a manner that does not belie complex issues of land ownership, varied use, and ecological integrity of the site. Working landscapesfarms, flower fields, orchards, and nurseriescan be employed as a landscape-design typology to ensure sustainability and to preserve and frame sightlines to monuments. Garden archaeology is necessary to uncover the symbiotic relationship between buildings and gardens of medieval Champaner.