A file image of SM Krishna addressing a press conference while he was the Minister for External Affairs.
Credit: DH Photo
Mysuru: Retired professor of Ancient History N S Rangaraju said that late chief minister S M Krishna was responsible for the establishment of the Heritage department and its merger with the Archaeology and Museums department later.
Rangaraju said that the Archaeology and Museums department was headquartered in Mysuru, on Mysuru Palace premises, since its inception. Now, the office is situated on the Dasara Exhibition Grounds.
“Krishna, who was aware of the significance of protection and conservation of heritage structures, especially in Mysuru, initiated the process to create the Heritage department. Then, he effected its merger, to make the Archaeology, Museums and Heritage department. It was upgraded into a commissionerate, mandating the appointment of either an IAS or senior KAS officer as its commissioner. Earlier, a director, an archaeologist used to head the department,” he recalled.
Thus IAS officer T M Vijayabhaskar became the department’s first commissioner, Rangaraju said. “The director’s office was shifted to Hampi in Vijayanagar district. A Heritage Committee was formed with experts, and Mysuru and Srirangapatna were jointly declared as a Heritage City. Later, Vijayapura, Kalaburgi, Bidar and Kittur in Belagavi district were added to the list,” he said.