Webinar on Early Cultural Developments in the Saraswati Basin at PU
The Interdisciplinary Centre for Swami Vivekananda studies in collaboration with the Department of Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology, Panjab University organised a web lecture on the topic Early Cultural Developments in the Saraswati Basin by Professor Vasant Shinde who is a very renowned and eminent archaeologist.
Prof. Vasant Shinde in his illustrative lecture highlighted the cultural development in the Sarasvati basin . For the last forty one years he has been a pioneer in archaeological research. He emphasised that on the basis of scientific data it can be concluded that developments in the area were indigenous in character. On the basis of excavation conducted at various sites such as Bhirrana, Farmana ,Kunal and Rakhigarhi in Haryana gradual cultural growth from pit dwelling to planned cities is noticed .The continuity in traditions with some variations from region to region point out these are indigenous developments.The DNA analysis and stringent methodologies has established the ancestry of South Asians. He stressed the food habits, appearance of people has been reconstructed on the basis of latest techniques and evidence. The Harappan traditions continue to exist. The synthesis of literary and archaeological data show that Harappan were Vedic people and this was an indigenous development.
The lecture was chaired by Prof.V.R Sinha, Dean Research Panjab University.Prof.Sinha welcomed the speaker and emphasised that path breaking research done in this field by Prof Shinde will help young students to understand how scientific data has put an end to many controversies.
Prof.Renu Thakur Coordinator ICSVS introduced the theme of the web lecture
Dr. Vishal Sharma moderated the interaction session and Dr. Paru Bal Sidhu, ChairpersonDepartment of AIHC&A proposed the vote of thanks. The lecture was attended by intellectuals from all across the country.
