Developments in India in the Field of Culture in 2024

India witnessed several major developments in the field of culture in the year 2024. Major discoveries were made through archaeological excavations in different parts of India. Several ongoing research works in the field of archaeology are on the precipice of pushing the timeline of the Harappan civilization and urbanization in southern India further back in time. These findings recast India’s history in a new light. India’s cultural awakening was marked by the consecration of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and the revival of Nalanda in Bihar as an educational centre. The year 2024 also witnessed the inclusion of Charaideo Moidams (Ahom burial mounds) in Assam in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. India also solidified its spiritual connections with Southeast Asia by sending revered relics of Lord Buddha to Thailand for a month-long exhibition.

Cultural Awakening

One of the first and most consequential events of 2024 was the consecration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22nd January.^[1] The construction of the temple was made possible by the landmark Supreme Court verdict of 2019 on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute.^[2] After the completion of the first phase of the temple construction, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, took part in the “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony of the idol of Lord Ram. The opening of the temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram symbolizes the revival of India’s cultural pride.

On 19th June 2024, in his efforts to revive India’s ancient academic legacy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University, close to the site of the ancient ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara in Rajgir, Bihar. ^[3] Burnt by a horde of barbarians at the end of the 12th century CE, the renaissance of Nalanda University reawakens India’s legacy as a global hub of education, philosophy, and scholarship. In total, 17 countries other than India contributed to the process of setting up the university. ^[4]

India’s Cultural Diplomacy

In February, India strengthened its cultural connections with Thailand by emphasising the shared heritage between the two countries. India, which is the birthplace of Buddhism, sent rare relics of Lord Buddha along with those of his esteemed disciples, Arhanta Sariputra and Arahanta Maudgalayana, preserved at the National Museum in Delhi, to Thailand for a month-long exhibition. ^[5] This was the first time that the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples were showcased together. The relics are classified as an ‘AA’ (rare) category of antiquities. Generally, these types of rare antiquities are not sent for exhibitions outside the National Museum, within India, or in foreign nations. But after a “special request” from the Thai government, the Ministry of Culture happily agreed. ^[6] India has been making exceptions regarding the relics of Lord Buddha for the Buddhist countries. Previously, India had sent the relics of Lord Buddha to Mongolia in 2022 ^[7] and Sri Lanka in 2012. ^[8] The relics of Lord Buddha travelled to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani and Krabi provinces in Thailand and drew more than 4 million devotees. ^[9]

The inauguration of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was also a momentous occasion highlighting India’s growing global influence and its commitment to fostering interfaith harmony. The temple was officially inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami. ^[10]

India also organized the First Asian Buddhist Summit in November 2024 based around the theme of ‘Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia.’ ^[11] The summit saw participating scholars and experts from 32 countries. The Summit reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Buddhist legacy that was rooted in the region for millennia. The Buddhist legacy of India continues to shape India’s cultural diplomacy and spiritual understanding across Asia.

Additionally, India’s restoration efforts at the Vat Phou UNESCO World Heritage site in Laos demonstrated India’s commitment to the preservation of the shared cultural heritage. ^[12] India sent experts from ASI to preserve the ancient Hindu temples at Vat Phou. Experts from ASI are working extensively in countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia to preserve ancient temples and monuments. These initiatives strengthen India's diplomatic ties with Southeast Asian nations. Exemplifying India’s commitment to preserving global heritage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2024 announced an annual contribution of $1 million to UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre to support heritage conservation efforts in the Global South. ^[13]

Archaeological Excavations and Research in India

After more than two years of excavation and extensive study, the research teams of Deccan College Pune and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) were able to establish that the human remains excavated in the recently concluded third phase of excavation from Rakhigarhi (Harappan site in Haryana) date back to 8,000 years. ^[14] This discovery further pushes back the Harappan civilization and the existence of urban settlements in India in the timeline.

The ASI conducted multiple excavations in different parts of the country throughout the year. In an attempt to unearth the oldest temple in the Indian subcontinent, archaeologists are excavating at a site near the ancient Parvati and Chaumukh Nath temples in Panna district, Madhya Pradesh. ^[15] ASI is conducting another excavation in Govardhan Hill, near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, to find linkages between the Braj region and the Mahabharat period. ^[16] The exercise is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s drive to dig deeper into India’s ancient roots and discover compelling evidence of the Mahabharat period.

Meanwhile, in southern India, the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology conducted excavations at eight different sites in Tamil Nadu, including Kilnamandi (a megalithic period site) and Keeladi (a Sangan Era site). ^[17] The excavation at the Keeladi site unveiled the sophistication of the Sangam era, with findings such as terracotta pipelines indicating advanced water management practices and urban planning from over 2,600 years ago. ^[18]

The ongoing study of the Harappan site at Lothal in Gujarat by the Indian Institute of Technology-Gandhinagar provided new evidence supporting the existence of a dockyard during the Harappan Civilization. The study revealed that the Sabarmati River once flowed right next to the archaeological site at Lothal. The Sabarmati River eventually shifted its course over time, and now it flows 20 kilometres away from the site. The evidence of a maritime port at Lothal indicates the presence of sophisticated trade and maritime systems in ancient India. ^[19]

Repatriation of Cultural Property

India, on 26 July 2024, signed a cultural property agreement with the United States of America that will prevent the illegal trade of cultural property and facilitate the easy return of stolen and looted antiquities to the country of origin. ^[20] The United States of America has already returned 297 stolen artefacts to India that date back to 2000 BCE. ^[21] Overall, India has retrieved 358 stolen artefacts to date, out of which 345 were repatriated after 2014 under the current administration ^[22] and this number of repatriated artefacts is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.

Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage

In May, the illustrated manuscripts of Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana were included in ‘UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register’ during the 10th meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP), held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.’ ^[23] These literary works have transcended time and place, leaving an indelible mark on readers and artists both within and outside India.

In July, India hosted the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Delhi.^[24] During the session, India’s nomination from Assam, “Moidams—the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty ^[25],” also known as the Charaideo Moidams, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site as a cultural property.^[26] It became India’s 43rd site on UNESCO’s list, ^[27] besides 56 properties on the tentative list. The earthen burial mounds of Charaideo are a testament to India’s diverse funerary traditions and contain the necropolis of the royal family of the Ahoms.

In October, the Indian government conferred the status of classical language to Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit languages. ^[28] This recognition expands the list of classical languages in India to 11, which already include Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia. The decision was announced after careful review by the Linguistic Experts Committee under the Ministry of Culture. The Linguistic Experts Committee revised the criteria a little bit to include Pali and Prakrit in the list. Pali and Prakrit are considered dead languages, as a population no longer speaks them, but they have considerable influence on several contemporary languages. ^[29]

Prospect for 2025

The aforementioned developments have greatly enriched one’s knowledge about India’s cultural heritage and its civilization. These developments have contributed to a resurgence of national pride among Indians and deepened India’s civilizational links with its extended neighbours in Southeast Asia. India’s concerted efforts to preserve its shared heritage in Southeast Asia have strengthened India’s cultural diplomacy. Discoveries in archaeology in India in 2024 have helped us to move away from the archaic narratives of the Occident and build our own Indian narrative. Many of the excavations and archaeological research work in India are ongoing. Therefore, more discoveries are expected in 2025, which will further broaden our understanding of India’s cultural heritage and civilization.

On the cultural diplomacy front, India will continue to establish civilizational links with the world. India, which is the spiritual home of Buddhism, has the potential to bolster its relationship with the nations that have a Buddhist population. Moreover, the ASI will continue to play a prominent role in the preservation of cultural heritage in the Global South, particularly in Southeast Asia.

The consecration of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya will not only embolden India’s cultural identity, but it also has the potential to transform the state of Uttar Pradesh as a center of global religious tourism. Thus, it will boost employment opportunities and tourism revenue and revitalize the ancillary sectors within the region. Similarly, the recognition of the Charaideo Moidams in Assam as a UNESCO World Heritage Site will not only boost conservation efforts but also make the world take notice of India’s cultural diversity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the cultural developments of 2024, such as the consecration of the Ram Mandir, archaeological breakthroughs in different parts of India, the revival of Nalanda University, the repatriation of cultural artefacts from the West, and the inclusion of Charaideo Moidams as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflect a commitment to preserving and celebrating India's rich cultural legacy. Initiatives in cultural diplomacy, particularly with Southeast Asia, underscore India's ability to leverage shared heritage as a bridge for international collaboration.

References

^[1] ‘Ram temple consecration updates. After centuries of waiting, our Ram has arrived: PM Modi’, The Hindu, 22 January, 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ram-temple-mandir-ayodhya-consecration-ceremony-modi-january-22-2024/article67761881.ece [3]
^[2] ‘Why Supreme Court ruled in favour of Ram Mandir construction in Ayodhya’, The Times of India, 15 January, 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/why-supreme-court-ruled-in-favour-of-ram-mandir-construction-in-ayodhya/articleshow/106871900.cms [4]
^[3] Amit Bhelari, ‘PM Modi inaugurates new Nalanda University campus in Bihar’, The Hindu, 19 June, 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modis-nalanda-visit-new-campus-of-nalanda-university-inauguration/article68306826.ece [5]
^[4] Sreeparna Chakrabarty, ‘Nalanda University: An Ancient centre of Learning’, The Hindu, 23 June, 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nalanda-university-an-ancient-centre-of-learning/article68321755.ece [6]
^[5] ‘India to send 4 relics of Buddha to Thailand’, The Times of India, 21 February, 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-send-4-relics-of-buddha-to-thailand/articleshow/107862507.cms [7]
^[6] Divya A., ‘Buddha’s relics at National Museum to be on display in Thailand’, The Indian Express, 21 February, 2024. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/buddhas-relics-at-national-museum-to-be-on-display-in-thailand-9172154/#: [8]
^[7] Divya A., ‘Explained: The four Buddha relics travelling to Mongolia as ‘state guest’, their importance’, The Indian Express, 15 June, 2022. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/buddha-relics-mongolia-state-guest-importance-7966266/ [9]
^[8] Ministry of External Affairs, ‘Exposition of the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics in Sri Lanka’, MEA Government of India, August, 2012. https://www.mea.gov.in/photo-features.htm?727/Exposition+of+the+Sacred+Kapilavastu+Relics+in+Sri+Lanka# [10]
^[9] ‘Sacred relics of Lord Buddha return to India after 25-day exposition in Thailand’, DD News, 20 March, 2024. https://ddnews.gov.in/en/sacred-relics-of-lord-buddha-return-to-india-after-25-day-exposition-in-thailand/ [11]
^[10] ‘UAE: PM Modi inaugurates BAPS Mandir, first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi’, The Times of India, 14 February, 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/uae-pm-modi-inaugurates-baps-mandir-first-hindu-temple-in-abu-dhabi/articleshow/107696083.cms [12]
^[11] ‘First Asian Buddhist Summit has reaffirmed India’s commitment to Buddhist legacy: experts’ The Hindu, 8 November 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/first-asian-buddhist-summit-has-reaffirmed-indias-commitment-to-buddhist-legacy-experts/article68841818.ece [13]
^[12] Hector Kenneth, ‘Restoration of UNESCO world heritage site Vat Phou showcases India-Laos shared Culture’, ANI, 3 July, 2024. https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/restoration-of-unesco-world-heritage-site-vat-phou-showcases-india-laos-shared-culture20240703173847/ [14]
^[13] ‘PM Modi inaugurates 46th Session of World Heritage Committee at Bharat Mandapam’, NDTV, 21 July, 2024. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-modi-inaugurates-46th-session-of-world-heritage-committee-at-bharat-mandapam-6156010 [15]
^[14] Dheeraj Bengrut, ‘New evidence suggests Harappan civilisation is 7,000 to 8,000 years old’, Hindustan Times, 22 December, 2023. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/new-evidence-suggests-harappan-civilisation-is-7-000-to-8-000-years-old-101703182904001.html [16]
^[15] ‘Hoping to find India’s oldest temple, ASI begins excavation in Panna’, The Times of India, 21 March, 2024. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/hoping-to-find-indias-oldest-temple-asi-begins-excavation-in-panna/articleshow/108675051.cms [17]
^[16] Krishan Murari, ‘Mathura culture, Mahabharata period- ASI digs Govardhan Hill after 50 years’, The Print, 7 May, 2024. https://theprint.in/ground-reports/mathura-culture-mahabharata-period-asi-digs-govardhan-hill-after-50-years/2073442/ [18]
^[17] ETB Sivapriyan, ‘Tamil Nadu launches archaeological excavations in eight locations’, Deccan Herald, 18 June, 2024. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-launches-archaeological-excavations-in-eight-locations-3071289 [19]
^[18] ETB Sivapriyan, ‘Terracotta pipeline dating back to 6th century BCE unearthed in Tamil Nadu's Keeladi’, Deccan Herald, 30 July, 2024. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/terracotta-pipeline-dating-back-to-6th-century-bce-unearthed-in-tamil-nadus-keeladi-3129099 [20]
^[19] Ritu Sharma, ‘New study suggests existence of a dockyard at Lothal, Gujarat, during Harappan Civilisation: What are the findings?’, The Indian Express, 3 September, 2024. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/dockyard-lothal-gujarat-9548119/ [21]
^[20] ‘India, U.S. sign agreement to protect cultural heritage’, The Hindu, 26 July, 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-us-sign-cultural-property-agreement/article68450309.ece [22]
^[21] Chris Lau, ‘US to return a trove of nearly 300 history-spanning antiquities to India’, CNN Style, 23 September, 2024. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/23/style/us-returns-indian-antiquities-hnk-intl/index.html [23]
^[22] ‘Repatriation of Indian Artefacts’, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, 5 August 2024. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2041543 [24]
^[23] Divya A, ‘Ramcharitmanas included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Regional Register: Its significance’, The Indian Express, 16 May 2024. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/indian-literary-works-unesco-memory-world-register-9331289/ [25]
^[24] ‘UNESCO World Heritage Committee concludes historic session in India, United Nations India, 2 August 2024. https://india.un.org/en/275519-unesco-world-heritage-committee-concludes-historic-session-india? [26]
^[25] ‘Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty’ UNESCO World Heritage List. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1711/ [27]
^[26] ‘Assam’s Charaideo Moidam included in UNESCO World Heritage list’, The Hindu, 26 July, 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mound-burial-system-of-ahom-dynasty-in-assam-included-in-unesco-world-heritage-list/article68448746.ece [28]
^[27] ‘Charaideo Moidams: India's 43rd UNESCO World Heritage Site’, PIB, 22 July, 2024. https://pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=151948&ModuleId=3&reg=3&lang=1 [29]
^[28] Sreeparna Chakrabarty, ‘Union Cabinet approves classical language status for Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Pali, and Prakrit’, The Hindu, 4 October, 2024. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/union-cabinet-decisions-marathi-assamese-bengali-pali-prakrit-get-classical-language-status/article68714789.ece# [30]
^[29] ‘5 new Indian classical languages, 3 living and 2 dead’, National Herald, 4 October, 2024. https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/politics/bengali-marathi-among-5-new-classical-languages-approved-by-cabinet [31]

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