The recent 80th session of the Indian History Congress (IHC) took place in Kannur, Kerala, between 28th and 30th December 2019. The conference addressed political and administrative authorities, urging them to fulfill their constitutional duties towards promoting a composite culture, paramount for fostering India’s territorial unity.
The Genesis of the Indian History Congress
Bharata Itihasa Samshodhaka Mandala, a historical research organization, held the All India Congress in 1935 in celebration of its silver jubilee. This significant event led to the formation of the Indian History Congress, an institution that has since then been instrumental in regulating the quality of historical works produced in the country.
The Role and Contributions of IHC
The Indian History Congress plays multiple vital roles in shaping the historical understanding of the country. Primarily, it works to regulate the standard of history-related works produced in India, ensuring they meet certain criteria. Notably, the IHC is committed to promoting impartial and substantive history.
Targeting a fair and scientific historical narrative, the IHC strives to keep biases and political influences at bay. Over the years, it has passed significant resolutions concerning the protection of historically important monuments and the role the government and Archaeological Survey of India should play in their preservation.
In 1946, the Congress-led initiative petitioned the government to grant researchers access to archives, marking its foray into promoting academic research. Moreover, it began to influence the history taught in schools and colleges, and in 1948, resolved to contribute to the syllabi in universities and colleges throughout the nation.
| Year | Important Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1935 | Formation of the Indian History Congress |
| 1946 | Petition to the government for researchers to access archives |
| 1948 | Resolution to contribute to the syllabi in universities and colleges |
The Archaeological Survey of India: A Brief Profile
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is a premier organization tasked with archaeological research, scientific analysis, and excavation of archaeological sites. Beyond these, it is also responsible for the conservation and preservation of protected monuments.
The ASI functions as an attached office under the Department of Culture, Ministry of Culture. It was founded back in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham, who held the position of its first Director-General. Over the years, the ASI has played a critical role in the preservation of India’s rich and diverse historical heritage.
