Putting a full stop to the ‘Dravidian propaganda‘ the Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 21 July 2025 has highlighted several omissions in the Keeladi excavation report, submitted by lead archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna. The minister clarified that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had not requested any revised report from the Tamil Nadu state archaeology department.

Responding in the Lok Sabha to questions raised by DMK MPs Thamizhachi Thangapandian and Dayanidhi Maran, Shekhawat addressed concerns about the central government’s position on the findings from Keeladi. Thangapandian had asked whether the Centre had officially reviewed the report submitted in June.

According to Shekhawat, experts had identified several deficiencies in the report. These include the need to reclassify the cultural periods mentioned, redraw the village map, and revise technical details such as content, maps, drawings, contour lines, stratigraphy, and graffiti illustrations.

He reiterated ASI’s commitment to following proper scientific methods and legal procedures to ensure that the findings from Keeladi are documented accurately. “Expert opinions will be incorporated to produce an authentic and scientifically verified report,” Shekhawat stated.

Lead archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna declined to comment. However, his team said he had provided comprehensive documentation in both digital and physical formats and had addressed specific queries from the department on 23 May.

Shekhawat noted that experts believed the periodization proposed in the original report was flawed. They objected to the timeframe of 8th century BCE to 5th century BCE assigned to the earliest cultural layer, arguing that the dating was not substantiated. Experts suggested revising the chronology using more precise dating techniques like accelerator mass spectrometry. They also indicated that the sampling depths might not be adequate and stressed the need for marking excavation layers for consistent comparative analysis.

The minister confirmed that both the excavation conducted under the ASI and the submitted report are currently under review. He emphasized that no report has been formally rejected, and the archaeologist has been informed of the expert feedback, which is still being assessed.

Addressing the frequent transfers of Amarnath Ramakrishna who was moved three times in nine months Shekhawat said that such transfers are routine administrative decisions and not necessarily linked to excavation continuity.

In response to Dayanidhi Maran’s separate query, Shekhawat clarified that since 2018, the Tamil Nadu state archaeology department has independently overseen the Keeladi excavations, with no financial or operational support from the ASI, and reiterated that no revised report has been requested from them.

(With inputs from Times Of India)

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In a significant blow to the Dravidian narrative that sought to propagate the Aryan-Dravidian racial divide, recent findings have disrupted the foundations of that theory. A UK-based lab, in collaboration with Indian researchers, conducted facial reconstructions of two individuals from the Kondagai burial site. The results revealed that these ancient individuals were of South Indian origin, carrying ancestral links to West Eurasian (Iranian) hunter-gatherers and Austro-Asiatic populations. This discovery directly challenges the divisive Nazi style race-based narrative, as the latest report clearly states, “South Indian with traces of ancestral West Eurasian (Iranian) hunter-gatherers and ancestral Austro-Asiatic people.” With these findings, the attempt to sustain the Aryan-Dravidian binary appears to have hit a dead end.

Excavations at Keezhadi, located about 12 kilometers from Madurai, have revealed evidence of a thriving civilization dating back allegedly to the 6th century BCE. Now, for the first time, researchers have been able to put a human face to these ancient people. The facial reconstructions were carried out by experts at Liverpool John Moores University in collaboration with Madurai Kamaraj University.

Professor Caroline Wilkinson, head of the Face Lab at Liverpool, explained that a computer-assisted 3D technique was used to reconstruct the facial muscles and features of the skulls. While the upper halves of the skulls were largely intact and allowed for more accurate reconstructions, the missing lower jaws required researchers to estimate the shapes based on orthodontic standards and cranial measurements.

Using CT scans of the Kondagai skulls and anatomical data from modern South Indian populations, the team applied forensic and anthropological methods to estimate soft tissue depth and facial characteristics. The reconstructed appearances were finalized using digital modeling, with skin tone, hair texture, and eye color selected from a photographic database.

According to Professor G Kumaresan of Madurai Kamaraj University, the process involves a mix of science and interpretation about 80% based on scientific data and 20% on artistic estimation. These reconstructions, paired with DNA analysis, are expected to provide deeper insights into the ancestry and migratory patterns of people from the Sangam period.

Keezhadi has become a focal point of academic and political debates regarding the region’s historical timeline. Although the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently suggested revising earlier dating of the site to the 3rd century BCE, Tamil Nadu’s state archaeology department maintains that radiocarbon analysis confirms human activity at Keezhadi from the 6th century BCE to the 2nd century CE.

In collaboration with Harvard University’s genetics department, researchers are conducting extensive DNA analysis of the skeletal remains from Kondagai to trace patterns of migration and admixture. Preliminary studies suggest that most individuals buried at Kondagai were around 50 years old at the time of death.

Anthropologist Veena Mushrif Tripathy from Deccan College examined the bones and confirmed that age estimations were based on features such as dental wear, joint conditions, and bone size. Of the remains, 11 skeletons allowed for stature estimates: the average male height was about 170.82 cm (5’7″), and the average female height was 157.74 cm (5’2″). These findings are consistent with data from Kodumanal, another archaeological site.

Sex determination was primarily done by analyzing pelvic and cranial features. Archaeologist K Rajan, who advises the Tamil Nadu archaeology department, noted that this project marks the first facial reconstruction of ancient individuals from South India a significant step forward in understanding the region’s historical identity.

Why Is This A Major Blow For The Dravidian Ecosystem?

Like the Nazis, Dravidianists believe in the racial purity of Dravidian race.

These findings directly challenges the core foundation of the Aryan-Dravidian theory also known as the Aryan migration or invasion theory, which claims that Indo-European (Aryan) groups migrated into India, subjugating or assimilating the native Dravidian-speaking populations. This narrative has long been used to assert that Dravidians were the original inhabitants, dispossessed of power, land, and legacy. Some proponents even went as far as to claim that the Dravidian race was the ancestor of all civilizations, including the Harappans, asserting a singular racial and cultural continuity through history.

With the Keezhadi excavations, there was a concerted effort to shift historical timelines and reinforce this theory through selective peer-reviewed interpretations. However, a single, scientifically grounded facial reconstruction of two skulls from the Kondagai burial site has undercut this narrative. The study revealed that these ancient individuals were South Indian, with genetic influences from ancestral West Eurasian (Iranian) hunter-gatherers and Austro-Asiatic populations effectively dismantling the idea of a racially pure or isolated Dravidian lineage. The evidence speaks for itself and strikes at the heart of an ideological construct that had long evaded scrutiny under hard science.

(With inputs from Times Of India)

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In a significant archaeological breakthrough, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has uncovered a Tamil Brahmi inscription in Pugalur, located in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district, offering fresh insight into the royal lineage of the ancient Sangam-era Chera dynasty.

Dating back to the 2nd century CE, the inscription names Ilankatunkon, son of Perunkatunkon and grandson of Adan-Cel-Irumporai. It records the donation of a rock shelter to a Jain monk named Cenkayapan from Yarur, made on the occasion of Ilankatunkon being declared heir to the throne.

In Pugalur district of Tamil Nadu, a remarkable Tamil Brahmi inscription has been found that reveals the royal lineage of the Chera dynasty from the Sangam Age. This 2nd century CE inscription names Iḷankaṭunkon, son of Perunkaṭuṅkoṉ and grandson of Adan-Cel-Irumpoṟai. It… pic.twitter.com/bmZznc59nV

— Archaeological Survey of India (@ASIGoI) June 4, 2025

This inscription is particularly important as it aligns with names found in Sangam literature, especially those of three Chera rulers: Selvakatunkon Vazhi Athan (also known as Ko Athan Cellirumporai), Peruncheral Irumporai (Perunkatunkon), and Ilancheral Irumporai (Ilankatunkon). It reinforces the historical credibility of Sangam texts, suggesting they are more than just literary works—they are rooted in actual historical events.

For instance, Pathitrupathu, a classic Sangam anthology, dedicates ten verses in its seventh decade to King Selvakatunkon Vazhi Athan. It describes him as a devout follower of Mahavishnu and a generous patron of Brahmins. The text notes that his repeated donations, often accompanied by the ritual pouring of water, kept his palace courtyard perpetually soaked.

This newly found inscription adds to the growing body of evidence affirming the Sangam age as a historically verifiable era and offers deeper understanding of the Chera dynasty’s spiritual and cultural landscape.

This is a landmark inscription which corroborates with the names of Chera kings of the Sangam age, a clinching evidence that the Sangam age literature was in fact history.

Three Chera kings, Selvakatunkon Vazhi Athan (Ko Athan Cellirumporai), Peruncheral Irumporai… https://t.co/PK7AUjwStD

— 𑀓𑀺𑀭𑀼𑀱𑁆𑀡𑀷𑁆 (@tskrishnan) June 5, 2025

What Is Tamil-Brahmi Script?

Tamil-Brahmi is an ancient script used to write the early form of the Tamil language, dating back to around the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. It is a regional adaptation of the Brahmi script, which was one of the earliest writing systems of the Indian subcontinent.

While Brahmi was used across India to write Prakrit and Sanskrit, the Tamil-speaking regions adapted it by adding diacritical marks to represent unique Tamil phonemes that weren’t present in Indo-Aryan languages. Tamil-Brahmi was used primarily for inscriptions on caves, potsherds, coins, and rock surfaces. These inscriptions often recorded: Names of donors and kings, Grants to Jain or Buddhist monks, Ownership marks on pottery, and Commercial and trade information

Historical Significance

The discovery of Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions has played a crucial role in confirming the antiquity of the Tamil language and validating the historical content found in Sangam literature. Many of these inscriptions have been found in archaeological sites such as:

• Adichanallur (Thoothukudi District)
• Kodumanal (Erode District)
• Keeladi (Sivagangai District)
• Pugalur (Karur District)
• Mangulam (Madurai District)

Some inscriptions date to as early as the 6th century BCE, based on recent stratigraphic and radiocarbon dating, suggesting that Tamil was one of the earliest recorded among Indian languages.

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The Madhya Pradesh (MP) High Court overturned the State Waqf Board’s claim on historical monuments in Burhanpur, even as the judge commented ironically that if the Board had its way, it would claim the Taj Mahal and the rest of India as a Waqf property.

Waqf Board decision on Burhanpur monuments

The court overturned a decision by the MP Waqf Board on 7 August 2024, which classified the Tomb of Shah Shuja, the Tomb of Nadir Shah, Bibi Sahib’s Masjid, and the palace within the Fort of Burhanpur under the control and administration of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as Waqf property.

In 2013, the Waqf Board instructed the Archaeological Survey of India to vacate these sites, asserting ownership. The ASI, however, challenged this order through a writ petition, arguing that the sites—located in Emagird village, Burhanpur, and spanning about 4.448 hectares—were protected under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904 and had been under their care for decades. The ASI contended that the designation as protected monuments could not be altered to waqf property without officially removing their protected status.

Conversely, the Waqf Board argued that its declaration of the property as waqf was valid and that the ASI should have appealed to the Waqf Tribunal rather than the high court.

The Trial

On 26 July 2024, Justice GS Ahluwalia’s bench noted that the properties had been officially designated as ancient monuments as early as 1913 and 1925 under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904. There was no evidence indicating that this status had been revoked or altered according to Section 11 of the same Act.

The court highlighted that the Waqf Board’s claim was based on a notification under Section 5(2) of the Waqf Act, 1995. However, the Board failed to provide a complete notification to the court. Even though other parties did not contest this notification, the Board could not identify any legal basis for invalidating the earlier protections granted by the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904, without formal release by the Central Government or the Commissioner.

Referencing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Karnataka Board of Wakf vs. Government of India (2004), which affirmed that the Government of India maintains properties listed as Ancient Protected Monuments, the court agreed with the ASI’s position. It concluded that the Waqf Board’s notification was erroneous. Once a property is designated as an ancient monument and protected, it could not be retroactively classified as waqf property under the Waqf Act, 1995. Consequently, any such notification does not nullify the protections granted by the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904.

The High Court held that, “An erroneous notification issued in respect of property which is not an existing waqf property on the date of commencement of Waqf Act, wound not make it a waqf property thereby giving jurisdiction to the waqf Board to seek eviction of the Central Government from ancient and protected monuments.”

“Why not claim the Taj Mahal as Waqf property?”

The court determined that the CEO of the MP Waqf Board had acted improperly in declaring the monuments as waqf property and ordering the ASI’s eviction.

Justice GS Ahluwalia remarked, “Why not claim the Taj Mahal as Waqf property? Tomorrow, you might say that the entire India is Waqf property. It won’t work like this that you’ll issue notifications and the property will be yours.”  As a result, the court nullified the CEO’s order from 19 July 2013.

Significant Courtroom Decision:

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has nullified an order by the MP Waqf Board, which declared the Tomb of Shah Shuja, Tomb of Nadir Shah, Bibi Sahib’s Masjid, and the palace within the Burhanpur Fort as Waqf property.

In 2013, the Waqf Board… pic.twitter.com/wKjtaCkXWE

— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) August 7, 2024

(With inputs from Law Beat)

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On 27 May 2024, advocate and Hindu activist Girish Bharadwaj from Karnataka addressed a letter to the Director of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), urging action to demolish an illegal structure near the Shri Bhoganandishwara Temple in Nandi Hills, which violates ASI regulations.

In his letter to the Director of ASI Bengaluru, Bharadwaj stated: “I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of significant concern regarding the unauthorized construction of a Masjid near the Bhoganandishwara Temple in Nandi, Chikkaballapura District. As you may recall, I previously communicated my concerns about this issue in a letter dated May 26, 2023, addressed to Shri G. Kishan Reddy, the Honorable Minister for Culture. Despite subsequent efforts, including filing an RTI application on February 22, 2024, and receiving a response from the Ministry of Culture on March 21, 2024, no action has been taken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to address this matter. Due to the laxity of ASI and procrastination, vested interests despite being served show cause notice not to build the Masjid, have completed the structure in violation of ASI rules.

I would like to apprise you that, Nandi Hills holds immense cultural and religious significance, being situated just 60 kilometers from Bengaluru. The Bhoganandishwara Temple, a Grade-1 ASI protected structure, stands as a testament to the area’s rich heritage. However, the recent construction of a Masjid near the temple, within a mere 70 meters, violates ASI regulations and the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 2010. This unauthorized construction not only disregards established laws but also threatens the sanctity of the Bhoganandishwara Temple. If allowed to persist, it may lead to various activities such as non-vegetarian cooking, loudspeaker usage, and gatherings that could disrupt the peaceful atmosphere and religious practices of the temple and its devotees.

In light of these concerns, I urgently request the ASI to take decisive action to demolish the unauthorized structure. By doing so, we can Preserve the sanctity of the temple and uphold the interests of Hindu devotees who hold the Bhoganandishwara Swamy in high regard. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that swift action will be taken to address this issue and restore the integrity of this sacred site.”

I have written a letter to the Director of the Archaeological Survey of India, requesting necessary action to demolish the illegal structure that violates ASI regulations near Shri Bhoganandishwara Temple in Nandi Hills. @ASIGoI https://t.co/kKfua8TYOG pic.twitter.com/pziRciCT35

— Girish Bharadwaj (@Girishvhp) May 28, 2024

On 19 February 2024, Girish Bharadwaj filed an FIR with the Police Sub-Inspector of Nandigram Police Station, and simultaneously sought a civil case directive from the Additional Civil Judge at the JMFC court in Chikkaballapura circle. The activist’s FIR highlights a concerning issue, despite two stoppage notices issued (Notice No. BNG/NOC/21-22/60 dated 05.08.2021 and Notice No. BNG/NOC/21-22/77 dated 25.08.2021), the Masjid Committee has continued construction of a mosque near an ASI-protected monument site.

The Bhoganandishwara Temple, officially notified in the Gazette of India (GOI) No. 55 Part II on 19 November 1951, is a centrally protected monument under the jurisdiction of the Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Bengaluru Circle. Additionally, the GOI issued another gazette notification No. 13 dated 30 March 2010, under the AMASR Act 2010, which aims to preserve and protect heritage sites, ensuring no construction, including public projects, occurs within the protected areas surrounding monuments of national importance. Despite these regulations and the issued stop notices, unauthorized construction of a first-floor prayer hall and renovation work within approximately 30 meters of the Bhoganandishwara Temple by the Chairman of Masjid-E-Rahimiya has continued.

A show cause notice issued by the ASI Bengaluru Circle on 05/01/2023 stated:

“A SHOW CAUSE NOTICE UNDER SECTION 20A OF THE ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND REMAINS ACT, 1958 AS AMENDED BY THE ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND REMAINS (AMENDMENT AND VALIDATION) ACT, 2010.

WHEREAS it has been brought to the notice of this office that Shri Syed Masood S/o Syed Yak, Masjid Committee Member, Nandi Grama, Nandi-562101 is carrying out illegal construction of a Masjid within the prohibited area of Bhoganandiswara Temple, Nandi, which is a centrally protected monument. Repair/renovation of existing structures within the prohibited area of a centrally protected monument without obtaining an NOC for the same from the Competent Authority (Regional Director (South), Archaeological Survey of India, KSIMC Building, Industrial Estate, Bangalore 43) is illegal under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 as amended by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010.

WHEREAS as per the provision of Section 20A of the said Act, every area beginning at the limit of the protected area or the protected monument, as the case may be, and extending to a distance of 100 meters in all directions shall be a prohibited area in respect of such protected area or protected monument for the purpose of repair/renovation.

And whereas subsection (1) of section 20C of the Ancient Monuments Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010 provides that any person who owns any building or structure, which existed in a prohibited area before the 16th day of June 1992, or which had been subsequently constructed with the approval of the Director General and desires to carry out any repair or renovation of such building or structure, may make an application to the Competent Authority for carrying out such repair or renovation. As per section 30(a) of the said Act, whoever raises any construction in the prohibited area shall be punishable with imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or with a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or with both.

Now, therefore, you are directed to stop unauthorized constructions/repairs/renovations/reconstructions immediately and intimate this office within seven days from the receipt of this letter to show cause why necessary action should not be initiated against you under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 as amended by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010.”

Regarding the unauthorized construction and renovation of the Masjid-e-Rahemiya near ASI-protected monument sites, self-proclaimed narrative peddler Mohammed Zubair posted on his official X account that, “Pic taken is from Inside an ancient temple Bhoga Nandishwara Gudi, The Masjid-e-Rahemiya seen in the pic is accross the road, NOT adjecent. It has been ther for several years. The under constructed dome you see is above Khader Wali Mazaar which is across the road and is old too.” This statement subtly conceals the fact that, according to the aforesaid acts, no structures can be created or renovated in such areas without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) once the site is declared important and protected.

Pic taken is from Inside an ancient temple Bhoga Nandishwara Gudi, The Masjid-e-Rahemiya seen in the pic is accross the road, NOT adjecent. It has been ther for several years. The under constructed dome you see is above Khader Wali Mazaar which is across the road and is old too. https://t.co/oTkcqUQj97 pic.twitter.com/w8MJmLxzmu

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 24, 2023

The Bhoganandishwara Temple – Marvel of Cultural Heritage of KN

The Bhoganandishwara Temple is the oldest surviving temple in the Nolambavadi style of Dravidian architecture in Karnataka. The temple, rich in heritage, features a large and intricately carved sabha-mandapa, inscriptions, and artwork dedicated mainly to Shaivism, but also significantly to Vaishnavism (Narasimha, Vishnu), Shaktism (Durga, Lakshmi), and Vedic deities (Surya, Agni). The temples host the history of the eastern regions of south Karnataka that flourished under the reign of the Rashtrakuta, Gangas, Hindu Nolambas—Pallavas, Hoysala and the Vijayanagara dynasties. Hence, the temple is protected and managed as a monument of national importance by the ASI.

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A Varanasi Court on Thursday (8 April) gave its approval for a survey of the Kashi Vishwanath temple and Gyanvapi Mosque complex by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The ASI is expected to form a committee to conduct the survey, while the Uttar Pradesh government has been directed by the court to bear the cost of the archaeological survey. The court has also stipulated that at least two members of the five-member team of eminent archaeologists should be from the minority community.

Lawyer Vijay Shankar Rastogi had filed a plea seeking the land on which Gyanvapi Mosque stands be transferred to Hindus as the mosque was built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1664 after bringing down a portion of the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

After his plea was filed, in January 2020, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee had filed an objection against the petition seeking a survey of the Gyanvapi compound.

The Archaeological Survey of India will now conduct a survey of the area in order to find out more details and whether a Masjid was built on the land of the temple.

According to lawyer Shehzad Poonawalla, if the Masjid was been built after destroying a Mandir, the Muslim community should go for conciliation.

Courts rule upon facts. If Masjid has been built after destroying a Mandir, the Muslim community should go for conciliation: @Shehzad_Ind, Lawyer, tells Madhavdas G on EXPLOSIVE #EXCLUSIVE. | #KashiMandirSurvey pic.twitter.com/SeNfdDeR7j

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 8, 2021

The matter will be taken up by the court next on May 31, 2021.

However, reacting to the Varanasi court order, Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board in Lucknow said it will approach Allahabad High Court challenging the archaeological survey.

Waqf Board Chairman Zufar Ahmad Farooqui in a statement said, “Our understanding is clear that this case is barred by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The Places of Worship Act was upheld by a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya judgment.”

The status of Gyanvapi Masjid is, as such, beyond question, he asserted.

“Even otherwise, we can say as per legal advice that the order of survey is questionable because technical evidence can only supplement certain foundational facts. No evidence has been produced before the court that suggests that there was a prior existing temple at the site of the mosque,” he added.

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Thieves took away a Ganesha idol kept at the Rameshwara Temple, an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) monument, at Nadakalasi in Sagar taluk recently. The incident took place on March 23, following which a complaint was registered by the Sagar Rural Police.

According to reports, there is apparently no provision allowing for security staff to stay during the night at the monument. This lapse in security is believed to have given the thieves the opportunity to steal the idol.

K. Goutham, Conservation Assistant of Shivamogga Sub-Circle (ASI), said that a complaint had been filed with the police and the investigation was on.

“The idol stolen is not an ancient one, but a modern idol. A person, who had received it from a donor, gave it to us and we placed it at the temple”, he said.

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