Walk The (Guide)line

Bad news for those who don’t hold a history degree but aspire to be guides at any of the 3,687 monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). A new guide policy, dated September 7, was submitted to the Supreme Court, Section 3.1 of which mentions a recommended educational qualification of a bachelor’s degree (in Ancient History, Medieval history or Modern history, with knowledge of art and architecture) and fluency in one or more languages as a requirement to becoming a guide. Earlier, any bachelor’s degree was enough. As per Section 2.1, the ASI has also done away with the many guide categories—regional, state or monument—replacing them with one ‘ASI monument guide’ category. Section 2.4 also mentions the introduction of a test which guides will have to pass for a five-year license. Following major opposition from guides, the Supreme Court said it will review the matter on September 27 (at the time of going to press).