The Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology,
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar has a significant place in the field of archaeology. It has adequately contributed to research on the History and Archaeology of India in general and Madhya Pradesh in particular and bought out a number of scholarly publications. During the session 1951-52 a non-teaching department known as the “Department of Archaeology” was opened for the archaeological excavations. The excavations were carried out at the site of Tripuri ( district Jabalpur, M.P.) and Sirpur ( district Raipur, Chhattisgarh) under the Direction of Dr. M.G. Dixit, the then Head of the department.
During the session 1958-59 a full-fledged teaching department denominated as “Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology” came into existence, and Professor K.D. Bajpai, a distinguished scholar of archaeology, was appointed it's Head.
Courses offered
UG + PG + PhD,
HIGHLIGHTS OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
The founder Head of the Department Prof. K.D. Bajpai was honoured with the Dayaram Sahni Gold Medal by Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He has also received prestigious Nelson Wright Award of the Numismatic Society of India for his outstanding contribution to Numismatics and R.P Chanda Medal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal for his researches in archaeology of Madhya Pradesh. He was also honoured with the Chakra Vikram Gold Medal of Numismatics Society of India and Panchal Ratna Award of Panchal Research Institute. Honourary degree of Hindi Sahitya Sammelan was also awarded to him.
Prof. K.D. Bajpai served as a Chairman of the Numismatics Society of India, Indian History & Culture Society, Indian Archaeological Society and Epigraphical Society of India.
Dr. Shyamkumar Pandey, Retd. Reader of the department, held the position of President of Indian Rock Art Society in 1988. He had participated in International Conference of Rock Art in Australia.
Dr. Alok Shrotriya, Assistant Professor of the department, was selected for Chinese Govt. Scholarship in 2005 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India under Indo-Chinese Cultural Exchange Programme. He has done Post Doctoral Research on “Buddhist Architecture of India and China: a comparative study” in Nanjing University, Nanjing, China from Sep. 2005 to July 2007.
2 D.Litt., 133 Ph.D. and 34 M.Phil. Degrees have been awarded to the students from this department.
After the formal approval from Archaeological Survey of India the department has conducted archaeological excavations and explorations and brought to light several sites of archaeological importance, viz. Eran, Tripuri, Malhar, Tumain, Nandur and Ghodamada. The authenticity of Gupta ruler Ramgupta was established by the discovery of rare copper coins of Ramgupta. Besides, the coins of Bodhi , Shaka-Kshatrapa and Naga kings are very important contributions of this department. Several inscriptions, sealings and Punch Marked Coins discovered from Eran prove the historicity of this ancient town.
Approximately 6000 years old Human Skeleton was recovered in archaeological excavation from Bhim Baithaka. Prehistoric bone and stone tools were also recovered in Ghoda Mada excavation.
More than 11 students have been awarded by Senior and Junior Research Fellowship of U.G.C. or I.C.H.R. and financial assistance for research work has also been provided to more than 10 students.
10 students have been qualified in U.G.C. ( N.E.T.).
14 Major and Minor Projects have been completed by faculty members.
Joint Session of Indian Archaeological Society and Indian Society for Prehistoric, Quaternary Studies and Indian History & Culture Society has been convened by the department in 1989.
Annual Sessions of Madhya Pradesh Itihas Parishad have been organized by the department in 1990 and 1998.
A National Seminar on “Cultural and Political History of Bundelkhand” was organized in 2001.
Annual Session of Indian Art History Congress was convened by the department in 2003.
A National Seminar on “ The Contribution of Sagar to the Freedom Movement” was organized in 2007
Golden Jubilee Celebration of the department was celebrated in 2008. On the occasion of this celebration a National Seminar, an Archaeological Exhibition and a Film Show were arranged.