Scottish experts to digitally scan Rani Ki Vav

London: A Scottish team is to digitally scan the Rani Ki Vav stepwell in Gujarat, one of India’s most historic landmarks, in an effort to preserve its every detail, British media reported. 

   The project — a collaboration between Glasgow School of Art and Historic Scotland and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) — involves digitally recording of the Rani Ki Vav stepwell which dates back to 1050 and is made up of decorated stepped terraces descending into the ground, the BBC reported.
   The Scottish experts said that they were aiming to use laser technology to create exact digital models of the site — that will help with conserving and maintaining it. 

Rani Ki Vav has only been fully excavated in the past 50 years and is currently on the UNESCO tentative list to be considered for World Heritage Site status. 

   Scotland’s Minister for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: “This is a great collaboration with the Scottish and ASI on behalf of the Indian government. I am delighted that Scotland is able to provide the expertise to ensure this nationally important and breathtaking site is captured in its entirety and conserved for future generations.”
   “The Scottish 10 is a project which is establishing Scotland as world leader in the use of digital documentation technology, innovation and is allowing us the chance to share our knowledge in heritage conservation and preservation while capturing some of the world’s most important heritage sites,” she said.
   In fact, the project is part of a global programme by the design team to record sites of historical significance.
   Among the sites already scanned are New Lanark’s 18th century mills, Mount Rushmore and Neolithic sites in Orkney.
   The images created will be shared with the American organisation CyArk, founded by Ben Kacyra, inventor of the laser scanner. It is collecting the data from 500 world heritage landmarks to hold in a global archive. PTI

Patan, the parent of Ahmedabad   
In many ways, Patan can be described as the parent of Ahmedabad. Patan was established in AD 745-6 by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of that dynasty. He named the city ‘Anhilpur Patan’ or ‘Anhilwad Patan’ after his close friend and prime minister Anhil, as a tribute to their friendship. According to historical sources, Anhil, who belonged to the Bharwad community, helped Vanraj become king. Respected Gujarati scholar KM Munshi described this town as follows: “I consider Patan the centre of Gujarati ‘asmita’ (pride). This is not merely a small town — it can rival Paris, Rome, Athens and Patliputra in terms of capability, education, wealth and aesthetics.” Ahmedabad followed the same architectural plans as Patan. Ahmedabad retained this character, replicating the ancient city’s roads, pols and neighbourhoods. TNN