INTERSECTION BETWEEN ARCHAEOLOGY, NATIONALISM AND POLITICAL AGENDAS: A CASE STUDY OF INDIA

This research paper examines the interplay between nationalism and archaeology in India, focusing on how colonial concepts of nationalist archaeology have persisted and influenced contemporary practices. Although nationalist archaeology has been extensively studied in Europe, its implications in South Asia remain underexplored. This study helps to fill in the gap by investigating how nationalist archaeology in India has evolved from colonial origins and explores its impact on political agendas and strategic culture. The research reveals how the Indus civilisation has been utilised to assert Hindu indigeneity and the subsequent effects on minorities, as exemplified by the Babri Masjid dispute. The findings highlight the dangerous implications of such nationalist narratives for social cohesion and minority rights. The study concludes by advocating for a meta-nationalist archaeological approach that celebrates India’s rich and diverse heritage, fostering a shared identity over divisive nationalist interpretations.