The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has ushered in a new era of independent exploration for history enthusiasts in Maharashtra. The ASI's Mumbai circle has officially launched a self-guided digital audio tour system at two prominent heritage locations: the Kuda Caves in Raigad district and the Lohagad Fort in Pune district. This initiative allows visitors to delve into the monuments' rich past using just their smartphones and strategically placed QR codes.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap for Visitors
Explaining the core idea behind the project, Abhijit Ambekar, Superintending Archaeologist of ASI's Mumbai circle, stated that the system is essentially a digital heritage walk. It addresses a common challenge faced by tourists who often visit archaeological sites without fully understanding their historical context, architectural significance, or why they are important. This audio guide fills that critical knowledge gap, transforming a simple visit into an informative journey.
At the Kuda Caves, for instance, the narration details the site's architectural and historical value. It sheds light on inscriptions that document donations from traders of ancient settlements like Chaul, Sopara, and Kalyan. "All these caves were built through donations. The inscriptions mention who donated for a cave or for a water tank. Through the audio guide, visitors can now understand these details while walking through the site," Ambekar elaborated.
How the Innovative System Works
The technology behind the tour is user-friendly and robust. QR codes are installed at entry points and key spots within the monuments. Upon scanning, visitors are given a choice between online and offline modes. To combat potential network issues, the entire audio content can be downloaded once and accessed offline, remaining active for 24 hours. As the visitor moves through the site, a GPS-based system automatically triggers the relevant audio clip for each location, creating a seamless experience.
Currently, the audio guides are available in English and Hindi. A Marathi version is also being introduced, starting with the Kuda Caves. Visitors can listen through earphones or directly from their phone speakers as they explore.
A Phased Rollout Across Maharashtra
This project is not limited to the two pilot sites. It is a significant part of a larger digital heritage programme that the ASI plans to extend to at least 24 additional monuments across Maharashtra in a phased manner. The model builds on a successful similar initiative first launched in 2023 at Vadnagar in Gujarat, which has reportedly been experienced by around 70,000 visitors from 28 countries.
Following the launch at Kuda and Lohagad, the ASI aims to activate the system at one monument every Saturday. The next in line are the Bhaja Caves, followed by Shivneri Fort and Naneghat. This step-by-step expansion will cover ASI-protected sites across the Pune, Konkan, Kolhapur, and Mumbai regions.
The content for these audio tours is meticulously prepared in-house by ASI teams, who visit the sites, draft the scripts, and work with artists to record the narration in a Mumbai studio. The technological execution is supported by partner Gunj India. This collaborative effort marks a significant digital leap in making India's archaeological treasures more accessible and comprehensible to the public.
