In this episode, host Vishnu Sharma speaks with Eram Agha, a staff writer at The Caravan, about the Archaeological Survey of India. The ASI was envisioned as a neutral institution with technical expertise—where archaeologists would conduct excavations, analyse their findings, publish research, and contribute to the academic understanding of ancient India. Its mandate is neutrality: to rise above religion and politics, relying solely on verifiable archaeological evidence to present a truthful picture of the subcontinent’s past. However, this has not always been the case. The ASI’s history includes instances where archaeologists have been accused of partisanship—serving the BJP’s political projects or pursuing personal agendas.
The ASI is expected to function without political pressure. But is that really the case? Is there a political agenda behind history in India? Watch the full episode to find out. You can also listen to The Caravan Baatcheet on Spotify.
Read Eram's in-depth report on how the Archaeological Survey of India fortifies Hindutva History.