(a) whether the Archaeological Survey of India has discovered Jain temples and other scriptures of second century during the recent excavation of Fatehpur Sikri;
(b) if so, the scheme formulated for carrying out further excavation work in this regard; and
(c) the arrangements being made for the protection of this heritage of historical importance?
THE MINISTER OF CULTURE (SHRI ANANTH KUMAR)
(a)&(b) The ongoing excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India at Bir Chhabili-ka-tila in Fatehpur Sikri in District Agra has yielded thirty four pieces of sculptures. Some of them are of the Jain Tirthankaras namely, Rishabhanatha, Sambhavanatha, and Kunthunatha, and a few are of Jain Goddesses Ambika and Sarasvati, all datable to the 9th-11th century A.D.
(c) The site lies in the prohibited area of the centrally protected monument of Fatehpur Sikri.