S10E1: Rediscovering Indus Cities, with Prof. Nayanjot Lahiri

Dec 6, 2024

In this engaging discussion, Nayanjot Lahiri, a professor of history at Ashoka University and expert on the Indus Civilization, reflects on her groundbreaking book, 'Finding Forgotten Cities.' She reveals the fascinating journey behind the discovery of the Indus Valley civilization and highlights the interplay between ancient and modern India. Lahiri also tackles the importance of local narratives in archaeology, critiques colonial influences on historical interpretation, and underscores the relevance of history in today's polarized politics.

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ANECDOTE

Accidental Discovery

Nayanjot Lahiri initially intended to write a biography of John Marshall, the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Her research shifted towards the discovery of the Indus Civilization after uncovering extensive archival material related to Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.

INSIGHT

Classical Interpretations

Early explorers of Indian antiquities often interpreted findings through a classical lens, leading to misinterpretations.
Charles Masson correctly identified Harappa as an ancient city but incorrectly associated it with Alexander the Great.

ANECDOTE

Marshall's Path

John Marshall's background in Mediterranean archaeology influenced his understanding of the Indus Civilization.
The discovery involved multiple roadblocks, including financial constraints and World War I.

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2024 marks the twenty year anniversary of Finding Forhotten Ciities, Prof. Nayanjot Lahiri’s landmark book on the various events and personalities which led to the discovery of Indus Valley civilization in the early twentieth century and later.

In a freewheeling conversation with Anirban Bandyopadhyay, Prof. Lahiri recalls how she came to write the book, how the book presents a modern history of the discovery of an ancient civilization and the multiple ways in which pasts and the present are always necessarily connected in historical research, writing and understanding. While the conversation revolved around the book's content, it touches upon some of the general concerns which inform the research and presentation of history to a popular readership in a time when contested pasts are often leveraged for group identity formation and polarising politics.

Chapter Markers:
(0:00) Introduction
(6:00) How Finding Forgotten Cities Came to Be
(8:00) The Early Phase of Indian Antiquarianism (Early 19th - Late 19th Century)
(13:00) Local Perceptions and the Birth of Archaeology in India
(14:00) John Marshall's Independent Path
(20:00) Contingency and Incidental Points in the Discovery Process
(25:00) The Relationship Between Indians and British Officials in the Archaeological Survey
(28:00) The Role of Local Communities and Memories
(32:00) How Historical Discoveries Happen
(36:00) Presentness of the Past, Future Projects, and Concluding Thoughts

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