scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
TopicArchaeological Survey of India

Topic: Archaeological Survey of India

A Varanasi royal family vs British history. And one man’s war to decolonise the past

An incorrect colonial portrayal cast a shadow for 200 years on Banaras royal family. Pradeep Narayan Singh waded through archives for 5 years to clear his ancestor Jagat Singh’s name in Sarnath.

Imbalance persists in ASI’s modus operandi. Bengal, Bihar demand more attention

The National Policy on Archaeological Excavation and Explorations, which was approved in 2015, mentioned the need for problem-oriented, long-term research projects covering various time periods.

ASI drafting new action plan to regulate excavations. ‘How long will the same people dig?’

Yadubir Singh Rawat, ASI director general, said archaeologists applying for license will need to submit a detailed excavation plan for the site and their objectives.

Scholars call for digitisation of Indus script symbols. It’ll make decoding easier

The Indus script is one of the most fascinating puzzles of Indian history. Unlike Egyptian hieroglyphics, there is no Rosetta stone to help decipher it.

Mughal paintings held clues that led archaeologist to a Christian chapel, Akbar’s Ibadat Khana

KK Muhammed is credited with the discovery of Akbar's Ibadat Khana and prominent Buddhist stupas. In an hour-long lecture, he shared fascinating stories from his excavation days.

Monumental step: Rickety stairs to the Taj’s main mausoleum to be replaced with Sal wood & steel

Agra: The creaky and worn-out wooden stairs leading to the Taj Mahal's main mausoleum will soon be replaced with new steps made from Sal...

ASI to publish controversial Keezhadi excavation report, but along with ‘questions by domain experts’

Move to put archaeologist Ramkrishna's report on ASI website comes after it became Centre vs Tamil Nadu issue. ASI wanted changes, Stalin said Centre was undermining Tamil heritage.

You won’t dig this—ASI’s budget doubled in last 10 yrs, but it spent less than 1% on excavations

New Delhi: Conservation, exploration and excavation come to mind whenever the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is talked about. Turns out excavation is the...

A heritage law left homeowners at ASI’s mercy. Now, Modi govt plans to ease it

The AMASR Act bars construction within 100 to 200 metres of protected monuments, leaving people living nearby stuck. An amendment is now finally set to be tabled in monsoon session of Parliament.

Indian archaeology is getting a cool, new makeover. Out of the trenches, letting people in

Archaeology is breaking out of the scholarly shadows. The ASI is building a fresh image, archaeologists now have a public voice, and audiences are finally tuning in.

On Camera

Women are missing from Chinese politics. CCP is a boy’s club

Under Xi, the CCP’s political structure has become even more centralised and male-dominated. Power increasingly revolves around a tight inner circle of male loyalists.

Karnataka, Telangana, TN, Maharashtra power 40% of services output, pan-India growth uneven—NITI Aayog

Report on India's services sector examines state-level dynamics, maps disparities and suggests ways to tap into the sector’s potential.

India pulled out of Tajikistan’s strategically important Ayni air base in 2022. Here’s why

Tajikistan did not want to extend the lease because of apparent pressure from Russia & China over non-regional military personnel at the air base, it is learnt.

Deepfake on duty: when I asked AI to read Op Sindoor citations

On 21 Oct, a buzz went up that the govt had released full list of gallantry award recipients along with Op Sindoor citations. I put an AI caddy on the job. It took me into a never-ending rabbit hole.