📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Nandanupadhyay
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RTI reveals falling stones and water pollution threaten Sher Shah Suri’s tomb in Bihar
✍️ India Today
🗓 27 Sep 2026, 12:00 PM
👁 11
An RTI filed by heritage activists highlights structural decay and contaminated water around the 16th‑century tomb of Sher Shah Suri in Sasaram, Bihar.
An Right‑to‑Information application submitted by heritage‑concern groups has drawn official attention to the deteriorating condition of Sher Shah Suri’s mausoleum in Sasaram, Bihar. The request sought details on maintenance records, structural assessments and water quality around the monument, which dates back to the 1540s.
The RTI response disclosed that several stone slabs on the tomb’s outer walls have become loose and are occasionally falling, posing a safety risk to visitors and staff. Inspectors noted cracks in the masonry that have not been repaired due to budget constraints and delayed conservation work.
In addition, the water bodies surrounding the complex – a historic pond and a drainage channel – have been found heavily polluted with sewage and industrial runoff. Laboratory tests cited in the reply showed elevated levels of coliform bacteria, rendering the water unsafe for both the monument’s foundation and public use.
Local authorities have acknowledged the findings and said a detailed survey will be commissioned within the next month. Interim measures, such as barricading the most hazardous sections and installing temporary water treatment units, are being planned to protect tourists and preserve the site’s integrity.
The tomb, an iconic example of Indo‑Islamic architecture, attracts thousands of visitors each year. Experts warn that without prompt remedial action, the combined effect of structural instability and water contamination could accelerate irreversible damage to the heritage structure.
The RTI response disclosed that several stone slabs on the tomb’s outer walls have become loose and are occasionally falling, posing a safety risk to visitors and staff. Inspectors noted cracks in the masonry that have not been repaired due to budget constraints and delayed conservation work.
In addition, the water bodies surrounding the complex – a historic pond and a drainage channel – have been found heavily polluted with sewage and industrial runoff. Laboratory tests cited in the reply showed elevated levels of coliform bacteria, rendering the water unsafe for both the monument’s foundation and public use.
Local authorities have acknowledged the findings and said a detailed survey will be commissioned within the next month. Interim measures, such as barricading the most hazardous sections and installing temporary water treatment units, are being planned to protect tourists and preserve the site’s integrity.
The tomb, an iconic example of Indo‑Islamic architecture, attracts thousands of visitors each year. Experts warn that without prompt remedial action, the combined effect of structural instability and water contamination could accelerate irreversible damage to the heritage structure.