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India Today
12 hours ago
- General
- India Today
The age of historical disagreements
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated June 9, 2025)In times when historical controversies can raise enough dust to bury entire civilisations, the ancient Tamil site of Keezhadi has re-emerged as a flashpoint. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has asked the site's lead archaeologist to revise his final report of January 2023—essentially, to locate the site on a much later timeline than the 6th-8th century BC originally suggested by the has sparked fresh allegations of political interference in historical research. 'Post-dating' the site would take away all the excitement from a discovery that had conferred greater civilisational depth to Tamil Nadu, pushing back its Sangam era by three K. Amarnath Ramakrishna, who led the early phases of excavation, has rejected the ASI's demand, stating that he stands by his 982-page report. His conclusions, he says, were based on unimpeachable scientific methods like stratigraphy and accelerator mass spectrometry. The state of the art in radiocarbon dating, the latter method has a precision of 40 years for recent antiquity. A MATTER OF TIMETo be sure, Keezhadi still awaits full scholarly consensus, specifically on whether the prime evidence for antiquity—potsherds with early Tamil inscriptions—are coeval with the carbon-dated charcoal layers. Also, whether its ceramic style accords with ancient Tamil Nadu's pottery chronology. But the ASI's May 2025 letter doesn't just seek corroboration. It calls for 'necessary corrections' and insists the earliest layer not be dated before 300 BC. Ramakrishna isn't the only one who spies a prejudicial edge in the ASI adopting such an approach to 'well-reasoned findings'. For many in the South, it's part of a broader pattern—one where 'science is subordinated to ideology, and archaeological evidence inconvenient to the dominant historical narrative is sidelined'.advertisement Keezhadi offers signs of a literate, urban Tamil civilisation along the Vaigai river dating back over 2,600 years. Nearby sites like Agaram and Konthagai buttress that idea, with some lines of inquiry even suggesting possible evolutionary links of early Tamil-Brahmi to the Indus script. The trouble this runs into, of course, is that it challenges the Centre's Vedic-centred view of antiquity. Hence, the ASI missive is seen by many experts less as pure academic scrutiny, more as a formal curb on the kind of story Keezhadi can tell. If fully unfurled, that narrative can subvert the privileged space conferred on the Vedic/Sanskritic lineage, suggesting a parallel civilisational track in the South—with its own language, script and cultural norms. A putative continuum with Harappa would deepen that as Keezhadi's findings were gaining national and international attention, Ramakrishna was abruptly transferred from Tamil Nadu to Assam in 2017 and ASI-led excavations slowed, later declaring no significant discoveries. In response, the state archaeology department took over Keezhadi work. Over time, that unearthed over 7,500 artefacts that buttressed Ramakrishna's hasn't been enough, it seems, to persuade New Delhi. 'The ASI has never been eager to acknowledge Keezhadi's truths,' says CPI(M) MP and writer S. Venkatesan, who has written extensively on Keezhadi. 'The BJP pushes mythology as history, but it works just as hard to erase our real past. But Tamil antiquity cannot be erased by government order.'BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan counters that the Centre had funded the initial excavation. 'The report was likely returned for administrative reasons, perhaps to avoid future questions,' she says. In response, Venkatesan asks: 'Why did you stop funding? If an excavation yields nothing, you may stop. But Keezhadi yielded everything. You stopped because what was discovered unsettled the very history you have been narrating.'Subscribe to India Today Magazine
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
NHAI to build bypass around Brihadeeswara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram in Ariyalur district
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to build a bypass around Gangaikondacholapuram on the Tiruchi-Chidambaram National Highway (NH 81) to divert traffic away from the Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple, a world heritage monument situated in Ariyalur district. The move comes in the wake of concerns raised by heritage enthusiasts and conservationists over possible damage to the ancient structure caused by due to the vibrations caused by the movement of heavy vehicles on the highway. The NHAI recently floated a tender for building the bypass at an estimate of about ₹103.62 crore. Sources in the NHAI said the greenfield 7.2-km-long bypass will run from Gangaikondacholapuram to Meensuritti on the highway and would entail land acquisition. The work is expected to commence once the land is available. As per the tender document, the work is to be completed in 18 months and the contractor would be obligated to maintain it for five years. The 134-km-long Tiruchi-Chidambaram National Highway (NH 81) was strengthened and developed in recent years in three packages covering Tiruchi-Kallagam, Kallagam-Meensuritti, and Meensuritti-Chidambaram stretches. As the highway runs close to the Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple, the Gangaikondacholapuram Development Council Trust (GKC Trust), led by its chairman R. Komagan, had called for building a bypass to protect the monument from possible damage due to vehicular traffic on the highway. Based on his representation, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in 2023 had taken up the matter with her Cabinet colleague and Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari requesting him to consider the plea. Following this, the NHAI had conducted a feasibility study and decided to build the bypass. Gangaikondachalpuram and the temple were built by King Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044 CE) after his victorious expedition up to the Gangetic plains. The Brihadeeswarar Temple, listed as one of the three Great Living Chola Temples by UNESCO, is under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India. 'The highway development was endangering the structural stability of the temple and its sub shrines due to the movement of heavy vehicles close by. Besides, rare inscriptions in the temple complex will be prone to be damaged due to emissions from the vehicles,' Mr. Komagan had contended then. Welcoming the decision to build the bypass, Mr. Komagan, however, urged the NHAI to build the road expeditiously.
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
Astrolabe found at Raigad Fort to be displayed at Mumbai's museum soon
1 2 3 4 Kolhapur: The Archaeological Survey of India and the Raigad Development Authority's joint excavation has unearthed a 'yantraraj' (astrolabe) at Raigad, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 's capital fort. Excavations conducted over three to four years at approximately 10 to 12 locations, spanning from the ropeway upper station to Kushavarta lake, and from the marketplace to the Jagdishwar temple, revealed structures from Shivaji Maharaj's period. The ancient yantraraj was found near a historic mansion above Kushavarta lake, situated between the rain gauge and Wadeshwar temple, though its recent disclosure came years after its discovery. The upper surface of the astrolabe features inscriptions, including two animal engravings in the centre resembling a tortoise or snake. The inscribed words "mukh" and "poonchh" indicate the head and tail positions, presumably used for determining north-south orientations. An ASI senior officer, speaking anonymously, said, "The rectangle-shaped instrument has inscriptions in the Sanskrit language and in Devanagari script — Shaka 1519 — meaning it was made in 1597 as per the English calendar and was used at the time Raigad was renovated in 1656 and where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was coronated in 1674. The astrolabe found is made of copper-bronze, and such astrolabes were common during that time, especially used by astrologers and seafarers to gaze at the stars and find directions through calculations. " The fort's conservation efforts have yielded various artefacts, including Shivrais (coins minted by Shivaji Maharaj), utensils made of glass and clay, weapons, and lamps, all currently held by ASI Mumbai Circle. According to an ASI source, the astrolabe will undergo chemical treatment for preservation before being exhibited in Mumbai's museum. Raigad stands as a testament to Maratha architectural excellence and strategic planning. Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, who heads the Raigad Development Authority, said, "The fort seems to have been built by studying astronomical sciences, as shown by the finding of the astrolabe. The instrument was used to find the latitude, longitude, and several other things to determine the locations. Further study of the instrument will shed more light on the administration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. " Kolhapur: The Archaeological Survey of India and the Raigad Development Authority's joint excavation has unearthed a 'yantraraj' (astrolabe) at Raigad, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's capital fort. Excavations conducted over three to four years at approximately 10 to 12 locations, spanning from the ropeway upper station to Kushavarta lake, and from the marketplace to the Jagdishwar temple, revealed structures from Shivaji Maharaj's period. The ancient yantraraj was found near a historic mansion above Kushavarta lake, situated between the rain gauge and Wadeshwar temple, though its recent disclosure came years after its discovery. The upper surface of the astrolabe features inscriptions, including two animal engravings in the centre resembling a tortoise or snake. The inscribed words "mukh" and "poonchh" indicate the head and tail positions, presumably used for determining north-south orientations. An ASI senior officer, speaking anonymously, said, "The rectangle-shaped instrument has inscriptions in the Sanskrit language and in Devanagari script — Shaka 1519 — meaning it was made in 1597 as per the English calendar and was used at the time Raigad was renovated in 1656 and where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was coronated in 1674. The astrolabe found is made of copper-bronze, and such astrolabes were common during that time, especially used by astrologers and seafarers to gaze at the stars and find directions through calculations. " The fort's conservation efforts have yielded various artefacts, including Shivrais (coins minted by Shivaji Maharaj), utensils made of glass and clay, weapons, and lamps, all currently held by ASI Mumbai Circle. According to an ASI source, the astrolabe will undergo chemical treatment for preservation before being exhibited in Mumbai's museum. Raigad stands as a testament to Maratha architectural excellence and strategic planning. Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, who heads the Raigad Development Authority, said, "The fort seems to have been built by studying astronomical sciences, as shown by the finding of the astrolabe. The instrument was used to find the latitude, longitude, and several other things to determine the locations. Further study of the instrument will shed more light on the administration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. "
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Civilisation and its discontents
Civilisation and culture are deeply entwined in the identity of any society and attempts to reinterpret or regulate them often invite political consequences. Over the past fortnight, this became clear when political parties in Tamil Nadu put up a resistance on two fronts — one regarding the State's ancient civilisation and the other, its financial practices. In the first instance, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) asked archaeologist K. Amarnath Ramakrishna to revise his 982-page report on the Keeladi excavations. Mr. Ramakrishna, who unearthed the ancient urban settlement near Madurai nearly a decade ago, had submitted the report in January 2023. The report pointed to a flourishing civilisation dating back to the Sangam era — suggesting a parallel, if not earlier, timeline to the Vedic civilisation. The ASI said the request for corrections was based on inputs from two independent experts and aimed to enhance the report's authenticity. However, the timing and nature of the move rekindled long-standing political suspicions in Tamil Nadu that the Centre was seeking to downplay the antiquity of Tamil civilisation. Mr. Ramakrishna declined to revise his report, asserting that his findings were backed by detailed documentation. The ruling DMK and its allies — notably, the CPI(M) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi — condemned the ASI's request. They accused the Centre of attempting to suppress evidence that might challenge the primacy of Vedic civilisation in India's historical narrative. Historian and former IAS officer, R. Balakrishnan, author of Journey of a Civilisation: Indus to Vaigai, described the ASI's demand as arising from 'the pressure of history'. He cautioned against historical bias in a multicultural nation such as India, stressing the need for responsible scholarship. In response to the criticism, the Union Ministry of Culture, through the ASI, issued a clarification, calling the allegations 'misleading' and 'contrary to the truth.' It insisted that the vetting process was standard and devoid of bias. Still, given that previously, Central funding and excavations were halted midway, forcing the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology to step in, the issue remains politically charged. The second controversy involved the Reserve Bank of India's Draft (Lending against Gold Collateral) Directions, 2025. Among the proposed measures were a 75% cap on loan-to-value ratio, proof of ownership for pledged gold, and limits on the quantity of gold that can be pledged — 1kg for ornaments and 50 gm for coins per borrower. These proposed restrictions struck at the heart of Tamil Nadu's financial culture, where gold loans play a primary and critical role, especially for women, farmers, small traders, and rural communities. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in a letter to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, described gold as not just an ornament but a vital financial safeguard for households. He warned that the new regulations would drive vulnerable borrowers into the hands of predatory lenders and exploitative loan apps. State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu called the draft guidelines 'deeply insensitive' and accused the RBI of perpetuating 'systemic injustice' against economically weaker sections. Even allies and supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party, including the AIADMK, Pattali Makkal Katchi, Tamil Maanila Congress, and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, opposed the RBI's move. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami argued that the new rules would hurt the poor and middle class, who comprise the bulk of India's population. Recognising the political ramifications, the Union Finance Ministry intervened. It suggested exempting small-ticket borrowers — those seeking loans below ₹2 lakh — from the stringent norms to ensure their continued access to timely credit. In both the Keeladi excavation dispute and the proposed gold loan regulations, Tamil Nadu's assertive response forced the Centre to respond. These episodes underscore how deeply issues of civilisation and financial practice resonate in the State — and how political sensitivity to these dimensions can quickly escalate into broader controversies. By stepping in, the Centre may have averted a volatile flash point, at least with regard to the gold loan regulations, in the run-up to next year's Assembly elections.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Residents oppose construction of resort and tree cutting at Sadashivagad fort
Karwar: The tourism department had proposed resort in the middle of the historic Sadashivagad fort, which is stoutly opposed by the residents of Sadashivagad (Chittakula) village in Karwar taluk. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Village locals lodged a complaint against the Tourism, Forest and Jungle Lodge Resorts Ltd; for destroying trees and damaging the fort, which falls under the Archaeological Survey of India. "The fort was built by Sadashivaraya of the Sonde kingdom and was completed by his son in the 16th century. It served as a protector for Coastal Karnataka, from the Portuguese attacking from Goa. Chhatrapati Shivaji visited the fort twice. A historical Durga temple was built there about 400 years ago. It was listed as an important monument by the ASI. Despite all that, the tourism department cut down about 100 trees and drilled stones in the fort wall, without any permission from either ASI or the local authorities. This act is unpardonable. We have lodged a complaint against the officials for damaging the historic fort and destroying trees," said Kishor Desai, advocate and activist. President of Sanatana Seva Sangha, Vinayak Gaonkar said that the fort is built in a picturesque place at the confluence of River Kali and the Arabian Sea. "For generations, hundreds of tourists used to visit the place to watch the sunset at the Kali confluence. But now the tourism department set up a gate and restricted the entry of the common people a few months back. The area is of religious and historical importance, and destruction in the name of tourism cannot be tolerated," he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Ashok Rane, an activist alleged that he and members of other organisations went to Chittakula police station to lodge a complaint against tourism officials. "Instead of accepting the complaint, the PSI threatened them not to file any complaint. If police can behave in this manner with officials, what will they do with common people? Police department should look into this," Rane said. When contacted, forest officials washed their hands of the matter, and said they were not aware of any such tree cutting and that the department would look into it. Tourism department official, on condition of anonymity, said that they did not violate any law and that the construction of the road in the fort and cutting of trees was as per law. JRL officials were not available to comment. Meanwhile, local organisations submitted a memorandum to the district administration, and the additional DC assured action against the erring officials. Locals threatened to launch an agitation if the construction inside the fort is not stopped immediately.
