On May 2, 2020, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Union Culture Minister, released an e-book “Prof. B. B. Lal- India Rediscovered” in New Delhi, on the occasion of centenary year (100th birthday) of the great archaeologist Professor Braj Basi Lal. Shri Anand Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Culture was also present on this occasion.
Key Points:
i.About the book: The centenary special edition book was prepared by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Prof B B Lal Centenary Celebration Committee for his immense contribution to the field of archaeology over 5 decades.
ii.On this occasion, Shri Prahlad Singh also added that Prof Lal is a precious gem of Indian archaeology who rediscovered civilizational India buried under the colonial past. He is a living legend and an eternal inspiration not only for archaeologists but also for every citizen of India.
iii.About Prof B.B. Lal: Prof Lal was born on May 2, 1921, in Baidora village, Jhansi district, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Prof Lal was trained by Sir Mortimer Wheeler at Taxila in 1944 and later joined the Archaeological Survey of India.
iv.Works of Lal: He excavated several important landmark sites including Hastinapura (U.P.), Sisupalgarh (Orissa), Purana Qila (Delhi), Kalibangan (Rajasthan). From 1975-76 onwards, he investigated sites like Ayodhya, Bharadvaja Ashrama, Sringaverapura, Nandigrama and Chitrakoota under the Archaeology of Ramayana Sites.
v.Positions of Lal: He served as the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1968 to 1972 and has served as Director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Prof Lal also served on various UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) committees.
vi.Awards: B.B. Lal received the Padma Bhushan Award in the year 2000.
vii.Lal has authored 20 books and over 150 research articles on various national and international journals.
About Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):
The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander-Cunningham who also became its first Director-General.
Headquarters– New Delhi.
Director General– Usha Sharma.
