set up a department of archacology for the study and maintenance of
historical sites in the subcontinent.
Answers
Explanation:
In his convocation address in 1911, the Vice-Chancellor, Asutosh Mookerjee regretted the absence of any systematic study of ‘our ancient history and culture.’ Thus the University became a parallel arena for giving people a sense of their past. This may be situated in the developments of early twentieth century when outside the purview of an official archaeology of the Archaeological Survey of India an initiative was being made, as part of the imperial policy, to give more academic space to the Universities. In the tenure of Sir Asutosh Calcutta University established the Chair of Carmichael Professor of Ancient Indian history and Culture and the subject was introduced in the curriculum of post-graduate studies. In 1917 Archaeology and Numismatics were considered as special subjects, which could be taught by persons who did not necessarily have to be engaged in educational endeavours. In 1919 an MA degree was instituted in this subject. In 1932 a separate department of Ancient Indian History was formed. Indian Epigraphy, Numismatics, Fine Arts and Iconography constituted segments of the syllabus.