The findings of the last 50 years by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are on display for the first time under one roof at the National Museum, reports rakesh kumar
Stone tools, artefacts, pottery, ornaments and maps are just ordinary things that hardly catch anyone’s attentions but when these belong to prehistoric era, they will turn into priceless articles and will become centre of attraction for all. It is no less thrilling even for those who have the least interest in history. But it is a piece of history that has come alive at an ongoing exhibition at the National
Museum in the Capital.
From priceless tools to ornaments and inscriptions, all the major finds since 1961 to 2011 are on display for the first time under one roof at the museum. “The exhibition has been organised to showcase the achievements and landmark findings of ASI in the last 50 years. The exhibition is on for general public till 31 January,” informed Daljit Singh, deputy superintendent of ASI.
The exhibition is showcasing around 307 selected objects from all the major eras of Indian history that were recovered during exploration and excavation in the last 50 years.
The exhibits have been displayed in a chronological manner, right from prehistoric period to modern times. For instance, starting with the tools from Harappa Civilisation the exhibition goes on to talk about metal tools, small paintings and inscriptions. “All the items are on display was excavated by archaeological from places like Bhimbetka and Sirpur (Madhya Pradesh), Burzhom and Gufkral in the Kashmir Valley, Harappan sites at Dholavira (Gujarat) and Kalibangan (Rajasthan), Mathura and Vaishali (Bihar), besides many other places,” explained Singh.
The exhibition, titled Rediscovering India, was organised by ASI to mark its 150th year and has housed an array of priceless tools, seals, implements, artefacts, pottery, figurines, sculptures, ornaments and inscriptions unearthed from all over India. Apart from this, there are maps, photographs and other textual panels to support the objects on display and to help visitors appreciate the significance of these objects and their relevance to the understanding of India’s past. “We have gathered all the finds from 66 different sites of the country. We have also used four replicas as the original were fragile,” informed Daljeet Singh.
Going by their age, the exhibition has stone tools 1.5 million years old, the only portrait of emperor Ashoka ever excavated, a 6th century stone image of Lord Vishnu, a 4th century stone statue of
Mahishasuramardini, and an elegant 13-14th century Garuda in bronze, Standing Buddha of 9-10 century, rusting iron implements of 1000 BC and many others. “The Standing Buddha that was discovered in Bodh Gaya had been illegally exported to the USA, where it was confiscated and
sent back to India,” informed Singh.
The other attractions at the exhibition include Chinese porcelain of the Sultanate period (1206-1526), discovered in the Feroz Shah Kotla area of Delhi, the earliest ploughed field, the dockyard at Lothal,
gold ornaments in Gujarat as well as Uttar Pradesh, and a Harappan water harvesting system. “These excavations make us think how our culture evolved over time,” underlined Singh.
