Agra: The railing of a balcony underneath the arch of Buland Darwaza, or the “Gate of victory”, which was built by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1572 A.D and is the main entrance to the palace at Fatehpur Sikri, was damaged by a troop of monkeys on Wednesday evening. Even though there was a large crowd of tourists at the time of the incident, no one was reported injured.According to ASI officials, a group of monkeys was jumping and hanging on the railing when it gave way around 5pm. A red sandstone fitted on the railing fell from a height of 30 meters and was shattered. Officials said that the stone weighed 25-30 kg and measured 80cm in length and around 30 m in width.This is not the first time when simians have damaged a part of this ancient monument. On July 18 this year, a pinnacle of summer house in Jodha Bai palace here was broken by monkeys, whose population in the region has been on the rise and has often even targeted tourists visiting monuments. For instance, on July 8, an Australian woman traveller was attacked and scratched by a monkey inside the Taj Mahal. Similarly, on May 22, two women tourists from France were attacked and bitten by a group of monkeys near the main mausoleum at Taj.ASI superintending archeologist (Agra circle) Vasant K Swarankar said that repair work on the broken railing will be started immediately. “We are planning to place a display board at all monuments in the region, especially at Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort, stating that monkeys should not be fed,” he said.Swarankar added that main reason behind the increase in monkey population around monuments is easy availability of food from tourists.

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