Assam is treasure trove of historical relics: Governor

GUWAHATI, Dec 22: Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi iugurated the silver jubilee session of Indian Art History Congress, Guwahati at Lakhiram Baruah Sadan of Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX) here on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Prof. Mukhi said that Assam is a treasure trove of historical relics and archaeological remains which, if preserved properly, can serve as an epicentre of cultural and archaeological tourism. He said that the Government of Assam has taken up works to upgrade the existing Assam State Museum to a tourist centre. The museum which is located in the heart of the city facing the historic Dighali Pukhuri was started by a band of dedicated scholars like Anda Chandra Agarwala, Rai Bahadur Kaklal Baruah, Dr. S.K. Bhuyan with the help of Kamarupa Anusandhan Samittee. It can be easily made a tourist centre for foreigners to promote cultural and archaeological tourism, the Governor said.

Prof. Mukhi said that when the British Government was ruling India, a band of scholars from England posted here as civil servants. They were fascited by the great civilization of India. They took lot of interest to preserve them by setting up museums in various places of India. It was Lord Curzon, who first initiated to preserve them by en-acting appropriate laws. He was followed by other British administrators. It is during that period the Indus civilization was discovered. Harappa and Mahanjodaro portray the great civilization of India when Sir Mortimar Whilar was the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India. Inspired by these developments some scholars of Archaeological Survey of India took keen interests in excavating some promising Harappan sites in Gujrat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Hariya, Jammu, UP and even Maharashtra which yielded good results. These art objects are preserved in various museums in the country, Prof Mukhi added. 

Minister of State, Cultural Affairs ba Kr. Doley, General President of Silver Jubilee Session of Indian Art History Congress Prof. A.P. Jamkhedkar, Chairman, Indian Art History Congress, Professor MNP Tiwari,  General Secretary of Indian Art History Congress and Emeritus Professor Baras Hindu University Dr. RD Choudhury,   former Chairman of Indian Art History Congress and former Director, Salarjung Museum, Hyderabad Dr. ML Nigam,  former Director General, tiol Museum, New Delhi and Editor of Kala Dr. SS Biswas, along with a host of other dignitaries, were also present in the iugural function.