A special photo exhibition and a distinguished lecture marked the celebration of Mahamana Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) founder Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, on the university campus in Varanasi. The events, organized on Monday, shed new light on the ancient roots of India's intellectual heritage through an archaeological lens.
Exhibition Inaugurated on BHU Campus
The photo exhibition, titled ‘Mahamana, A Multidimensional Personality: Time and Struggle’, was displayed at the Malaviya Mulya Anusheelan Kendra. It was formally inaugurated by renowned archaeologist Professor Vasant Shinde, who currently serves as the Director General of the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Gandhinagar. The exhibition offers visitors a deep dive into the life and contributions of the university's founder.
The exhibition will remain open for public viewing from 11 am to 5 pm on all working days until January 3. This provides ample opportunity for students, scholars, and the public to engage with this curated display of history.
Memorial Lecture Unveils Ancient Knowledge Threads
Following the inauguration, a distinguished lecture was held under the joint auspices of the Malaviya Mulya Anusheelan Kendra and the Centre for Intercultural Studies. This event was part of the ongoing ‘Mahamana Malaviya Memorial Lecture Series’. Professor Vasant Shinde delivered the lecture on the topic ‘Evolution of Bhartiya Knowledge System: Archaeological Perspective’.
In his address, Prof. Shinde paid homage to the pioneering work of Professor Sankalia, the founder of the Department of Archaeology at Deccan University. He credited Prof. Sankalia for the crucial task of taking archaeology to the common people and revealing its significance through various writings.
Archaeological Evidence Traces Civilization to 7000 BC
Professor Shinde presented compelling archaeological findings that push back the origins of organized knowledge in the Indian subcontinent. He stated that the threads of the Indian knowledge tradition can be reliably traced back to 7000 BC.
"From the early Harappan period of 3200 BC, we find clear evidence of organised civilisation and knowledge," Prof. Shinde explained. He cited evidence from major archaeological sites including Mehrgarh, Rakhigarhi, Virana, and Birawat, which collectively point to a rich and advanced Indian knowledge system.
He elaborated on specific discoveries, noting that pottery unearthed from various locations provides key insights into that ancient civilization. Furthermore, sites dating to 5000 BC have revealed traces of sophisticated life-supporting systems, such as bathrooms and tandoors.
Perhaps most significantly, Prof. Shinde highlighted evidence from the Harappan period itself, indicating the existence of a large state system. "From the Harappan period, we also find evidence of a large state system that extended from the Ganga-Yamuna doab to the vast banks of the Saraswati river," he said, painting a picture of a vast and administratively complex ancient society.
The events successfully combined the commemoration of a modern Indian educationist with a profound exploration of the subcontinent's ancient intellectual legacy, bridging millennia of knowledge pursuit.
