Author: Upinder Singh
Publisher: Permanent Black
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 381
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8178240882
Description
This book breaks colonial archaeology down into its specific constituents and examines the ideas, impulses, tensions, and individual contributions that comprised early studies of India's ancient past. It focuses, at the outset, on the ideas and work of Alexander Cunningham, who became the first Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1871. It also examines the contribution of Cunningham's assistants, Beglar and Carlleyle.
It then looks at a number of related issues-the different definitions of archaeological research; the conflict between field archaeologists an architectural scholars; the debate over whether antiquities should be left in situ or removed to museums; the different approaches and initiatives towards the conservation of historical monuments.
It also reconstructs the history of certain important Buddhist sites - Both Gaya, Sanchi and Bharhut-during the second half of the nineteenth century, while giving a detailed account of the life-history of the site of Amaravati.
Finally, it looks at the contribution made by Indian scholars to the antiquarian and archaeological projects, and at the interaction between the colonial government and the Indian princes vis-à-vis the conservation of historical monuments.
This book is written as much for the general reader interested in India's antiquity and its pioneering archaeologists, as for students of the history of archaeology colonialism, and constructions of the past.
Contents
Illustrations
Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
Preface
From Antiquarianism to Archaeology
Alexander Cunningham: Engineer and Antiquarian
The First Archaeological Survey
Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India
J D M Beglar: Enthusiastic Apprentice
A C L Carlleyle: Amateur Prehistorian
The Description and Care of Monuments
The Dismembering of the Amaravati Stupa
The Ignorant Natives and Archaeological Research
Archaeology, Sites, and Monuments in Nineteenth-century India
Bibliography
Index