Latest news with #KeralaCouncilforHistoricalResearch
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MGS worked on a sound methodology to reach conclusions: historian K.N Ganesh
Historian and chairperson of the Kerala Council for Historical Research K.N Ganesh has said that he knew MGS Narayanan as a historian who steered the study of history into a realm in which more scientific methods are used, deploying evidence from archaeology, literature and numismatics and worked on a sound methodology to reach conclusions. 'MGS had his strong opinions on which he held forth. The debates, he said, used to be hot but at the same time MGS kept close to the path of open and honest discussion. He did not mince words when it came to his political opinions. He accepted the Marxist historiography but did not agree with the Marxist party,' Dr. Ganesh said. 'Though he became the Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research he did not fully toe the line set by the National Democratic Alliance-led government at the centre', he said. Dr. Ganesh remembers MGS Narayanan, who had his strong opinions, as one with whom he enjoyed a great friendship. His opinions did not keep MGS away from friendships. 'My association with MGS began towards the end of 1970s and the warm friendship continued until the end of his life', he said.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MGS a key force behind the Muziris project, says Satheesan
Notwithstanding his strong disagreements with the identification of the Pattanam archaeological site as the ancient port of Muziris, historian M.G.S. Narayanan played a pivotal role in shaping the Muziris Heritage Project, recalls V.D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition and legislator from the Paravur constituency. 'I vividly remember his spirited arguments with fellow historians during the initial seminar on Muziris, held at North Paravur. He openly voiced his apprehensions, firmly stating that there was insufficient archaeological evidence to claim Pattanam as the ancient Muziris port,' Mr. Satheesan recalls. M.G.S. Narayanan consistently argued that Pattanam was not Muziris, and criticised the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) for what he believed were historical inaccuracies in their identification. He advocated for the use of 'Mahodaya'—a historically grounded name , instead of the Eurocentric 'Muziris.' According to him, it was Kodungalloor, the harbour town ruled by the Cheraman chiefs of ancient Tamizhakam, with their political center located inland at Karur, near modern-day Tiruchi, that truly held the identity of ancient Muziris. Yet, despite his theoretical differences, M.G.S. Narayanan never allowed his opposition to cloud his commitment to the Muziris Heritage Project. 'He was convinced of the existence of a thriving ancient port at Pattanam, which had trade links with over 34 countries. He recognised the evidence of a vibrant port culture in the region, unearthed during excavations,' Mr. Satheesan said. 'It was this conviction that led him to participate in the seminar on Muziris, even as he used the platform to publicly air his objections. As the organiser, I had to navigate between divergent scholarly opinions, but he respected my position too,' Mr. Satheesan added. He also recalled M.G.S. Narayanan's deep concern over the slow progress of the Muziris Heritage Project in the past decade. 'That indeed highlighted the historian's dedication to preserving Kerala's rich historical legacy,' noted
