Harappan civilisation laid foundation for global trade: ASI expert at Mahindra University symposium

Dr. Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor, Mahindra University viewing the artifacts from Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC)

Mahindra University hosted a symposium commemorating the 100th anniversary of discovering the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), a cornerstone of India’s historical heritage. The event brought together distinguished scholars and experts who explored the civilisation’s historical, archaeological, and linguistic significance.

The symposium was organised as a part of the interdisciplinary project of Mahindra University’s research team, which is working on deciphering the Indus Valley script. The project is spearheaded by different researchers in the fields of media and communication, humanities and social sciences, linguistics, cognitive sciences, artificial intelligence, and history.

The interdisciplinary symposium featured insights into various aspects of the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), which dates back over 5,000 years. A key highlight was the display of priceless human-made stone tools, some over 100,000 years old. This significant discovery offers a unique glimpse into the technological advancements of early human settlements. Rare antiquities from the IVC were also on display, further enriching the audience’s understanding of our rich heritage.

Dr Smita S. Kumar, Superintending Archaeologist from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), delivered the keynote address, focusing on the maritime networks of the Harappan civilisation and their crucial role in shaping its economic and cultural trajectory. She stated, “The legacy of Harappa has lasting economic, cultural, linguistic and technological impact. It not only shaped the economic landscape of the world but also fostered cross-cultural interactions that helped lay the foundation for global trade systems in the centuries to come.”

The symposium featured talks by eminent scholars, including Prof. K.P. Rao, archaeologist and honorary professor, University of Hyderabad; Prof. Suchandra Ghosh, Head of the Department of History, University of Hyderabad; and Dr Radhika Mamidi, Associate Professor, IIIT Hyderabad, whose expertise and insights left the audience impressed and captivated by their insights.

The event was inaugurated by Dr Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor of Mahindra University, who stated, “This symposium underscores Mahindra University’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research and scholarship in significant areas. By bringing together experts from diverse fields, we aim to improve the understanding of Indus Valley Civilisation, guiding the research project forward.”

The team, comprised of Dr Rahul Dass, Associate Professor of Journalism, School of Digital Media and Communication; Dr Sreedevi Polpakkara, Assistant Professor of Linguistics, École Centrale School of Engineering; Dr Paromita Das Gupta, Assistant Professor of History, School of Law; Dr Sunder Bukya, Assistant Professor of Cognitive Science, École Centrale School of Engineering; and Dr Nidhi Goyal, Assistant Professor of AI, École Centrale School of Engineering, is bringing together expertise to the project from eclectic perspectives.