Discovery of Indus Civilization – Centenary
International Conference Commemorating the Centenary Year of the announcement of the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization
January 5 – 7, 2025
Museum Theatre Auditorium, Chennai
The Conference
The Indus Valley civilization (IVC) was first brought to the world on September 20, 1924, when Sir John Marshall announced the civilization’s discovery in ‘The Illustrated London News’. This announcement marked a turning point in the history of the Indian Subcontinent. The discovery of IVC fundamentally altered our perception of our past. To commemorate this landmark discovery in the centenary year, the State Archaeology Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Indus Research Centre of the Roja Muthiah Research Library have taken the initiative to organize an international conference. Scholars and experts around the world are invited to present their research and share their knowledge in this field.
Department of Archaeology
Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology was started in 1961 to conserve and preserve ancient monuments in Tamil Nadu and to conduct excavations at historical sites. Subsequently, its activities were expanded to include epigraphy (copying and deciphering of stone inscriptions, printing and publishing them in book form), setting up site museums, chemical preservation of art objects, etc.The aim of the department is to showcase the rich heritage and glorious traditions of Tamil Nadu with its classical Tamil language, magnificent monuments, exquisite temples, art and sculpture and diversified traditions.
TSDA is a research department that disseminates knowledge about the ancient cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu through a combination of fieldwork, analysis, and publication. The Department has 8 Field Offices, 14 site museums, a library at the Head Office, the Government Oriental Manuscripts Library and Research Centre at Anna Centenary Library 7th Floor, Chemical Laboratories at Chennai and Madurai, a Printing section, besides the Institute of Epigraphy, which operates from the Head Office.
Roja Muthiah Research Library
The Roja Muthiah Research Library (RMRL) is a unique South Asian institution that encompasses a library, an archive, a museum, and research centres. Established in 1994, it houses an impressive collection of 500,000 items. This is one of the world’s largest and most organised collections representing significant aspects of Tamil civilisation. Over the years, RMRL has evolved into an engaging and dynamic cultural space. The Indus Research Centre (IRC) of Roja Muthiah Research Library is an initiative to research various aspects of the Harappan or Indus Valley Civilisation. Dr Iravatham Mahadevan played a crucial role in establishing the centre. Presently, Indus researcher R Balakrishnan is the centre’s honorary consultant.
Call for papers
The conference aims to deepen our understanding of the Indus Valley Civilization and its enduring relevance to contemporary society by bringing together diverse perspectives and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. Scholars may choose one of the areas mentioned to present their views.
Venue:
Museum Theatre Auditorium
Museum Compound, Pantheon Rd,
Egmore, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu 600008
Department of Archaeology
Government of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Valarchi Valaagam
Thamizh Salai, Egmore, Chennai 600 008
Ph: 91-44-28190020
Fax: 91-44-28190023
Indus Research Centre at
Roja Muthiah Research Library
4th Floor, Integrated Workshop Building
3rd Cross Road, CPT Campus, Taramani, Chennai 600 113
Phone: +91 44 2254 2551
Email: rmrl@rmrl.in