Lecture 5: Development of Archaeological studies in India: Post- Independence

Added: 2026-05-13

[00:00:17]Namaskar. My name is Dr. Virat Sun. I am an assistant professor in the department of ancient Indian history, culture and archaeology. Today we are gathered here for a SIM course entitled an introduction to field archaeology methods and practice. This is module number one which is definition aim and scope of archaeology and today's lecture number five which is development of archaeological studies in India post independence from 1944 to the present time. This lecture is the continuation of previous lecture where we are seeing the development of archaeological studies. In the previous lecture we already discussed the various stages of archaeological studies and their development. So the first stage was 1861 where the archaeological survey of India was established which was from 1861 to 1902. The second stage was 1902 to 1944.

[00:01:21]And today we are going to see stage number third from 1944 to 1975. and the fourth stage 1975 to the present stage as you all aware. So this stage the current stage of progress was started during 1944. A lot of discoveries has been made in India as well as in the worldwide context. The archaeological data have been gathered and investigated.

[00:01:49]However, in Indian scenario, the studies, the archaeological studies particularly lack a systematic methodological approaches and after just after yeah during the World War II the archeological world hampered in India and then Sir Leonard Woolly was visited to see the archeological work of India and when he visited India and inspect the archeological survey of India their work He uh uh gives some remarks uh upon the archeological studies. What was his remarks? So he mentioned the misdirection of fund in the archaeological studies incompetence in training. He mentioned that the ar those who are in archeological survey of India most of them are lacking the archeological training. They don't have any knowledge of archaeological exploration systematic excavation and this was very much big lacuna. He also mentions that in his report improper excavation techniques which was whole conducted by the archaeological survey of India and he also pointed out severe flaw in the conservation techniques of archaeological survey of India. These points were very much important and to find a solution upon the point made by sir Leonardo Arjbald who was the voice of India by that time chose Robert Eric Mortimer Willer for the job of director general of archaeological survey of India and from the appointment of Mortima Willer this stage three is initiated.

[00:03:34]So sir Robert Eric Mortima he was a very well-known personality in Indian as well as whole world archaeology. He was basically a British and a British archaeologist and he was a military officer in British army. He studied archaeology in London and he was basically uh specialized in Roman archaeology. He has quite well experience in the archaeological fieldwork in the Greek or Roman world.

[00:04:02]In 1926 he was appointed as a keeper of the London museum. He was keen in the archaeological research and during 1934 he established the institute of archaeology in London and adopted the position of honorary director. While doing archaeological work in London, he had opportunity by vice of government of India in 1944 to come to India as a director general of archaeological survey of India. He grabbed that opportunity and he was appointed DG of ASI and when he came to ASI new reform, new methods, new technique was adopted.

[00:04:46]He started new archaeological journal known as a ancient in India which is very much significant in archaeological work and uh he wrote more than 24 books on archeological subject suggest how well versse in archaeological investigation he was. So Mortima willer and his relation with archaeological survey of India is very important for the growth and progress of Indian archaeological studies. when he come to the India there were major excavation was already happened lot number of data has been collected however he also excavated a few sites like a moanch jodaro of Punjab Ariikamedu from deep south and brahmachiri from karnataka this excavation was very much needed because the data was there but the systematic excavation was lacking as mentioned by Leonardo wy so the stratographic excavation ation and chronological setup was much much needed and therefore willer came with his own technique known as a grid system. Grid system is a excavation technique also known as a willer method. It was very systematic way to escavate any any habitation mound. It is the statraphic excavation where stepbystep excavation was conducted and systematic documentation of antiquities and the contextual references were made. So this for the first time this systematic digging was happened while Mortima was a DG of ASI. Not only the excavation, he also initiated several new methods which were which were not here like a 3D recording to record each and every artifact or features to see their contextual importance. So therefore this 3D recording was very much important and even today this 3D recording has his own significance and still this recording is prevalent in the archaeological research. The excavation method postulate by willer has a very much significance for chronological framework for the first time due to the statraphical excavation method. The chronology of above statraphy and the material remains of below statraphy has been made and through this statraphical differences a relative chronology was first time established. He also much focused upon the interpretative mode of data. The earlier only documentation or classification was carried out by archaeologist but Wheeler has uh given a new idea about the interpretative mode.

[00:07:34]He also uh reorganized the archaeological survey of India. He established the Cababa central advisory board of archaeology for giving the license of excavation to having the discussion upon the new research project and this cabba is still continue in the ASI. He also appointed new post like executive engineer to carried out the conservation work. So this is new reform made by wheeler and very new agenda is also followed as a public outreach. So archaeology for the first time went from the sit box and moved towards the public. He himself was keen to move into the public and organized lecture, writing and public engagement to aware people about the archaeological past. So these are the new things which was introduced when sir multimiller become a DG of archaeological survey of India and his one of the most important excavation of willer was brahmagiri excavation. The brahmagiri situated in Karnataka and which was the very pre important prehistoric and early historic site. The excavation started 194748 and the aim of the excavation was to understand the chronology of the mount and also to see the statraphical differences. Why this chose he chose this site? Because there is a inscription morian inscription which is already datable to the 3rd century BCE. So there is evidence of morian inscription and there are megaliths. So therefore he chose this site. He systematically excavate the Brahmairi mound and he came across three different strategraphical material strata. So period one which was the below level of the uh excavation was he mentioned stone age culture which was Neolithic and he g assigned the date to it 2,400 B.CE to 1500 B.CE. Above that neolithic horizon there was period 2 known as a megalithic culture datable to,000 B.CE to 500 B.CE. And top of the megalithic statraphy he came across the historical uh strata he define andra culture datable to 500 B.CE to the 500 CE. So this was the first escavation in south India where the neolithic megalithic and early historic culture was statraphically fixed. Not only the statraphically but chronologically as well. We have several megalithic uh burial excavation but first time in the excavation at Brahmagiri the 1,000 date has been classified to the megalithic burials and even today this date is valid. So that shows how important the excavation of Brahmagiri for [clears throat] archaeology of southern India and this excavation was u became a model for south Indian history.

[00:10:45]Archaeological research after independence after has been gone. So the archaeological survey of India became the government organization and the mortim was succeeded by NP Chakraarti in postindependence era 1948.

[00:11:00]Uh P Chakraarti was the first Indian to hold this director general post of archaeological survey of India and during his tenure the national museum was inaugurated in New Delhi on 15th August 1949. This was the largest and biggest museum of India which is the pride of us and he also credited to create new circles of archaeological survey of India and after P Chakravarti Madhu Suru was became a director general and during this period the archaeological survey of India not only single institutions but the other state has also established their own archaeological departments. State like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnatak has their own department of archaeology and museums established. Not only the state archaeology but this was the period when the Indian universities has also started teaching a new subject as a archaeology and the syllabus of archaeology introduced in the university where the archaeological excavation techniques exploration techniques and the material culture analysis was also started in teaching mode. more scientific methods was started to introduce in various excavations and this was the period where wider extent of archaeology has been introduced. Then Amlan Nagosh has became DG 1953 uh and he remained up to 1968 and during his tenure it was 100 years of archaeological survey of India. By this time the partition has been done and several important sites like a halapa mojalo went to the Pakistan. So he initiated a new project known as the villageto- village survey and this villageto- village survey was very much significant in archaeological discovery. So each village of the northwestern frontier was explored by the archaeological survey of India and several sites has come across by this project and major major sites has been discovered through the villageto survey project. Not only this he also having the chance to introduce ancient monument and archaeological sites and remains act which was passed during 1958. This was very important act of archaeological survey of India which give us the power to escavate, explore and to maintain, preserve, conserve the nationally protected monuments and the archaeological sites. During his tenure, the ASI has been shifted under the authority of the ministry of culture and is still remain under the ministry of culture. Amirand goes tenure is noted for the excavations at major halapan sites like kalibangan luth and dhaviraa and these three sites were discovered during the project of villageto village survey go as an archaeologist acted as a UNESCO consultant uh of government of Qatar 1968 government of Bahrain Saudi Arabia and Yemen in 1970 he uh initiated a new referred uh journal kind of uh publication known as a Indian archaeology review which was begun in 1954.

[00:14:29]This archaeological review is very much important for the archaeological work which because it gives the archaeological database uh to the researcher which site has been excavated which site has been explored and discovered already mentioned in this book and this book provided a very valuable source to the archaeological researchers as archaeological record book. Another initiative made by Amlanandha Gosh was the setting up of temple survey project and during this this project a temples of whole Indian subcontinent was inspected and documented and he received Padmasri award in 1962.

[00:15:13]So after Ramnand go bridge Bushan Lal became a diet general in 1968. He was a well traininee of archaeological excavation. He was trained under the s multimaler excavation between 1950 52 when he was in archaeological survey of India. He already worked upon the archaeology of sites mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

[00:15:39]He also discovered several sites of painted graveware in Indogangetic divide in upper Ganga Yamunadab. In 197576 he worked upon the archaeology of Ramayana project and the sites mentioned in Ramayana like Aayodhya, Bharat Asham, Nandiram, Chitrakut and Shingavarpur has been pointed out and excavated by Bibilal. He not only excavated the site but also published the detailed excavation report during his tenure.

[00:16:11]Another um important act antiquities and all treasur act in 1972 was passed to restrict the elicited traffic of antiquities. This act recommends central protection for monuments of national importance. Professor Bibbilal has published over 20 books and over 150 research papers and articles on archaeology.

[00:16:39]Due to his immense archaeological contribution, he also received Padmabushan award in 2000.

[00:16:47]Then after Bibil several other important personalities has become a dire journal of archaeological survey of India like BK Tapar became 1971 to 1981. Dla was the first female director general of archaeological survey of India 1981 to 83. then MS Nagarajura, JP Jooshi, MC Jooshi, SB Matures Tiwari in 2014 to 17. Then currently uh Dr. Yaduir Singh Raawat is a director general of archaeological survey of India. So after seeing the archaeological survey of India, let's move towards the other important personalities and other institutions which already uh established in during the second or third stage. So Husmuk Dalia quite known as a HD Sankallaya he was a very prominent archaeologist prehistorian as well as protohistorian and he made significant contribution in pre and protoeric India. the uh he established the department of archaeology in Dekan college postgraduate research institute Pune and his establishment prove very much fruitful in the study of archaeological research in whole Indian subcontinent.

[00:18:05]He was pioneered in development of research in paleithic archaeology, protohistoric archaeology and scientific archaeology in India. He explored several prehistoric sites in Gujarat, central India and one of the most major important discovery of his uh exploration was measured site Langanage.

[00:18:28]He also excavated several sites like Kulapur, Nasi, Mahishwar, Navatuli, Nasa and Inam. And interestingly all of the report of the excavation has been published by him. The Dicken College has very immense contribution in the work of archaeology in India and prominent scholars like professor Araati kurv, professor shantaram d professor madukal kesho dhavlikar rajgaru, professor vian mishra in prehistry, professor krahaya in prehistry vasant shindai in harapa md kajal in palobotney and professor rk moanti in megalithic research are a few prominent scholar which was there in the Deaken college he give their immense contribution in the various field of archaeology and the dean college has excavated several excavation and uh in the different uh field in the paleolithic sites they excavated Chirik Morga Bhimetka Tikola Singhvi and several other sites in protohistoric and historic period they excavated several sites of Maharashtra and central India like Nasa Inamo Naikun Mahuri are the megalithic sites. Dawatabad, Junar, Naoli in Madhya Pradesh, Kaita, Tripuri, Somnat and several other sites which are very much significant in the archaeological research and development.

[00:19:53]The Dean College not only excavate and explored but they established with a fullfledged scientific laboratory. It was the first department in India which has a several functional laboratories like they're having their chemistry, pelinology, archogeeology, archobotony, biology, anthropology, geoarchcheology.

[00:20:15]They also has physical chemistry, extra diffraction machine and computing science. So these are of functioning laboratory stills are contributing their work in the archaeological science. Over more than 250 PhD dissertation has been completed since 1944 shows the archaeological progress made by Deken College. Let's move towards the Aran University like a Banara Hindu University which was a very prominent one and the BHU started teaching and research in ancient Indian history and culture since 1980. It was professor Akin Narayan who understand the importance of archaeology and started introduced the subject in 1957. BHU has excellent in the field research and scientific research and also introduced interdisciplinary methods in archaeology. The archaeological research of Banarasindu University is quite vital in the area like a middle Ganga plane.

[00:21:17]And professor AK Naran not only founded the archaeological subject here but he also founded the very prominent journal which is still going on known as a Indian archaeological society Puratwa in the year 1967.

[00:21:32]So Basindu University excavated several sites very prominent sites like Rajad, Banmillia, Bahara, Sarai, moana, Bitri, Aayodha, Pisara, Senuir and several report has also been published and this fights are very much important to understand how the Gangetic zone was known as a cradle of Indian civilization. and eminent archaeologist of this department. A few are AK Narayan, Tian Roy, KK Sina, PC Pun, Professor Vidula Jaywal, Purautam Singh, Vibati, BP Singh, Arn Singh and several others.

[00:22:16]Dalabad University which is a very old uh university which taught the archaeology in subject and it was professor GR Sharma who started the uh first excavation by university in 1948 and he excavated Koshambi which was very important site of Mahajan Pada period.

[00:22:37]Not only the Harleshwarik period but the team of Alabad University explored the Vindhan plateau and river like a balon and soon has been explored and discovered several paleithic sites including rock art. The they excavate the early par to neotic sites in the minion zone. They excavated several misolithic sites yielding the largest number of human skeleton remains and they excavated the very important neolithic sites called the hava juicy which gives the quite earlier dates like a 7,000 B.CE. They also excavated a few megalatic sites. For the first time, the introduction of Megatic sites were pointed out by Alhavad University and the few prominent personalities who contribute immensely in archaeology were professor GR Sharma, GC Pande, JS Nigi, BNS Yadav, UN Roy, Vid D Mishra, BB Mishra, JN Pal and several others.

[00:23:39]Let's move towards the MS University Baloda. The department of archaeology and ancient history was founded in 1950.

[00:23:47]The department mainly focused on the research in the western Indian uh area.

[00:23:53]The department of MS University Baloda has researched technologies of like bead making, shell making, metal working, ceramics and lithic ultimat. The department has also a ceramic prology laboratory which is one of first in kind in India where the ceramic uh analysis has been conducted carried out and is still going on. They excavated several sites in early historic as well as indis valley civilization like deviuri nagara nagwala baksara nagwar and mahashwar and several others. The few prominent personalities of MS University Baloda are professor B subara, professor Arin Maha, KTM HG, VS Parak, VS Son, KK Bhan, Krishnan, Ajit Prasad and several others. Apart from the archaeological survey of India and the state universities and other universities, state department of archaeology museums of various state has also significantly contributed in archaeological research.

[00:25:03]Every state has its own department. Uh state like Maharashtra has the department of archaeology and museums.

[00:25:09]They excavate megalithic as well early historic sites like a te which is very important. Tamil Nadu focused upon the iron age and the megalithic period and their excavation is still going on and the iron age finding recently in 202024 the date of iron from Tamil Nadu sites like Shivagalai goes to 2,700 BC oldest in the world. Uttar Pradesh also excavated several sites and very important discoveries of INA sites like a Malha, Rajanal Katila, Dadhapur has immensely contributed in the archaeological research in the northern India. Keral is excavated several sites including the muzzeris and department of state archaeology in New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and other state are also giving their contribution in their own ways to understand and to see the archaeological vestigages spread in their own area.

[00:26:09]Apart from the institutions, several individuals were also very much responsible for the progressive growth of archaeological research. Persons like a Vidi Krishna Swami from Archaeological Survey of India resolves the archeological problems related to the megalis in the in his article in way back 1940s. The bulletin of Indian archaeological society which is which is still continuing showing the progressive growth and the development in archaeological research. SD charter G was very much pioneer in the radiocarbon dating in India. The journal like a man and environment started Dean College Pune uh uh society like ISPQS is still contributing the same fr Alchin in their books importantly like the archaeology of India DP Agraal's research upon the priest and protestry and several other books are a few which immensely contributed in the archaeological development which were the significant excavations carried out in Indian subcontinent. So the bibilal excavated hashapur in 1950. Sr. Raal loal discovered the dockyard and the trade relation with Mesopotamia. JP Jooshi excavated several indust valley sites like a Bhagwan and Surotala. RSB's very important excavation of world heritage site Dhira shows the significance uh drainage system of people. Van Mishna excavated Bhimka. SB Dave excavated the megalithic sites of Vidurba and came across the very interesting antiquities also. Tien Khajanji escaped Bourja home in Kashmir. Gfrakal by AK Sharma.

[00:27:56]Rakiari by Nad and Professor Shindai.

[00:28:00]Sanoli Kilar Adish Chandalur. Shivagalai and the many sites are very much significant which are very much helpful which shows the archaeological research is in a growing state and this whole period from 1975 shows the significant in prehistoric researches more harapan site has been discovered in India the original jalotic cultures like Jori Malwa Ka aar was also discovered which is which has appeared after the decline of Indust Valley civilization. Iron age and date of iron is is one of the oldest in the world. Megalithic culture from Vindha to uh Tamil Nadu. Second Armanian sites like Mahajan Pada which is in Ganditic plane as well as up to the Tamil Nadu shows the growth in a broader way. Early historic sites, early medival period was also been developed during this period. art and architecture, text and literature, numismmetic studies, iconographic studies and various scientific implication were made during the four stage which is started from 1975.

[00:29:15]So at the end what we see from this long journey of archaeological research in India. So currently the recent trend shows that many more licensing to the excavation has been given to the various agencies by archaeological survey of India and this giving given because of to understand the as much as uh problem oriented research in archaeological excavation. The methods and techniques which evolved in new archaeology and collaborative approach has been also started and developed through across the time. More scientific approach and method has been introduced by archaeological survey of India as well as various agencies and transdisciplinary and collaborative research with various IITs institutions and the foreign universities is very much in vogue. The big role of universities in new discoveries and new research is come across and the immense contribution of a archeological survey of India and state archeological department in the field of archaeology is still continuing. So this is the end of my lecture. Thank you.