Archaeology in India: Individuals, Ideas and Institutions

This book, a collection of scholarly essays, presents recent researches on history of archaeology in India. The main thrust is on individual archaeologists, artefacts, princely dominions, modern Indian states, and local institutions. The central themes of archaeological research covered here are: Individuals, Ideas and Institutions. The essays in the section 'Individuals' narrate the lives and works of Col. Colin Mackenzie, Sir Alexander Cunningham, Valentine Ball and H.D. Sankalia. The section on 'Ideas' includes essays on artefactual studies, viz., ceramics, and coins. The theme of 'Institutions' has been further sub-divided into: (a) Modern Indian States, (b) Princely States and (c) Institutes. The last section has articles on Indian temple architecture, conservation policies and changing perception of archaeological sites. The broad span of time and subjects in the volume will allow the reader to comprehend the progress of archaeological research in India. The authors have used both published and unpublished sources in their interpretation of how archaeological research was conducted in India, before and after the Independence. The book will prove useful to readers interested in specific case studies and also to field archaeologists, and those interested in developing a critical attitude towards history of archaeological research in India.