Lok Sabha Question No. 145 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Publishing Keezhadi excavation Reports
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.145

ANSWERED ON-03.02.2025

## PUBLISHING KEEZHADI EXCAVATION REPORTS

145. SMT.   KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) the time by which the Keezhadi Phase I and Phase II excavation reports would be published;

(b) the reasons for the delay in publishing of reports of excavations that were done between 2014 and 2016; and

(c)  the  details  of  the  archaeological  excavations  done  by  the  Union  government  across  the country during the last ten years along with the date on which the reports of such excavations were published?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a)  and  (b)  Excavations  unearth  a  variety  of  remains  of  different  materials  and  periods  which require  detailed  scientific  study  and  analysis  in  different  laboratories  which  often  take  time. Report  on  the  excavations  conducted  between  2014,  and  2016  at  Keezhadi  was  submitted  in 2023. For publication of report, due process involving thorough examination by experts besides the process laid down is followed.

(c)  The  details  of  the  archaeological  excavations  done  by  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India (ASI) across the country during the last ten years are given in Annexure .

Excavations  were  conducted  at  82  sites  by  different  field  offices  of  ASI.  Some  of  these excavations are taken up on a large scale and span many years. Periodical reports are submitted soon after  the  completion  of  a  season's  work.  Final  report  on  excavations  at  Saluvankuppam, Suabarei, Burzohom, Paithan, Kalibangan, Lalitgiri, Dhalewan, Adam, and Hulas, where detailed study and scientific analysis of excavated materials were completed, have been published during last ten years.

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## ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 145 FOR 03.02.2025.

STATE-WISE  DETAILS  OF  EXCAVATIONS  CARRIED  OUT  BY  ASI  FROM 2015-16 to 2024-25:

|   Sl. No. | State/UT          | Year                           | Name of Site                                     |
|-----------|-------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Andhra Pradesh    | 2018-19 and 2019-20            | Gottiprolu, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore          |
|         2 | Assam             | 2022-23                        | Gorakshana Mound, Gaurisagar, Sibsagar           |
|         3 | Bihar             | 2016-17                        | Rukministhan, Nalanda                            |
|         3 | Bihar             | 2016-17                        | Papur, Siwan                                     |
|         3 | Bihar             | 2016-17 to 2018-19             | Uren, Lakhisarai                                 |
|         3 | Bihar             | 2018-19                        | Kesariya, East Champaran                         |
|         3 | Bihar             | 2021-22                        | Kurisarai, Gaya                                  |
|         3 | Bihar             | 2023-24                        | Buddhist stupa, Kesariya, East Champaran         |
|         3 | Bihar             | 2023-24                        | Jangalisthan ka Tila, Bhagalpur                  |
|         3 | Bihar             | 2023-24                        | Ajatshatru ka Qila Maidan/ New Rajgriha          |
|         4 | Delhi             | 2017-18, 2019-20, and 2022-23  | Purana Qila, Delhi                               |
|         5 | Goa               | 2022-23 and 2023-24            | St. Augustine Tower, Old Goa                     |
|         6 | Gujarat           | 2015-16 to 2021-22             | Vadnagar, Mehsana                                |
|         6 | Gujarat           | 2018-19                        | Taranga, Mehsana                                 |
|         6 | Gujarat           | 2018-19                        | Gunja, Mehsana                                   |
|         6 | Gujarat           | 2021-22 to 2022-23             | Vihar, Gandhinagar                               |
|         6 | Gujarat           | 2023-24                        | Sarwal, Patan                                    |
|         7 | Haryana           | 2018-19 and 2020-21 to 2024-25 | Rakhigarhi                                       |
|         7 | Haryana           | 2018-19 to 2020-21             | Thed Mound, Sirsa                                |
|         7 | Haryana           | 2022-23 and 2023-24            | Kaserua Khera, Palwal                            |
|         7 | Haryana           | 2023-24 and 2024-25            | Kushan Stupa known as Jarasandha Ka Qila, Asandh |
|         8 | Jammu and Kashmir | 2020-21                        | Tibba Taliana, Jinder Mehlu Village              |
|         8 | Jammu and Kashmir | 2024-25                        | Karti-Wdre                                       |
|         9 | Jharkhand         | 2019-20 to 2021-22             | Sitagarha, Hazaribagh                            |
|         9 | Jharkhand         | 2022-23                        | Obra, Chatra                                     |
|         9 | Jharkhand         | 2023-24                        | Palace and temple complex Navratangarh, Gumla    |
|        10 | Karnataka         | 2024-25                        | Brahmagiri, Chitradurga                          |
|        10 | Karnataka         | 2020-21                        | Halebidu, Hassan                                 |
|        10 | Karnataka         | 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2024-25   | Pan Supari Bazar, Kamalapura                     |

|   11. | Kerala         | 2023-24             | Pattanam, Ernakulam                            |
|-------|----------------|---------------------|------------------------------------------------|
|    11 | Kerala         | 2016-17             | Thiruvanchikulum, Thrissur                     |
|    12 | Ladakh         | 2015-16             | Choskor, Gangles                               |
|    12 | Ladakh         | 2015-16             | Saser, Nubra, Indian Side of Karakoram, Leh    |
|    13 | Madhya Pradesh | 2019-20 and 2020-21 | Eran, Sagar                                    |
|    13 | Madhya Pradesh | 2020-21 and 2021-22 | Tewar, Jabalpur                                |
|    13 | Madhya Pradesh | 2022-23             | Group of temples Bateswar, Morena              |
|    13 | Madhya Pradesh | 2022-23             | Man Singh Palace, Gwalior Fort, Gwalior        |
|    13 | Madhya Pradesh | 2023-24             | Bhimbetka, Raisen                              |
|    13 | Madhya Pradesh | 2023-24             | Nachna Kuthara, Panna                          |
|    14 | Maharashtra    | 2017-18             | Raigad fort, Raigad                            |
|    14 | Maharashtra    | 2017-18             | Rithi-Rajna, Nagpur                            |
|    14 | Maharashtra    | 2017-18 and 2018-19 | Phubgaon, Amaravati                            |
|    14 | Maharashtra    | 2019-20 and 2020-21 | Mahurjhari, Nagpur                             |
|    14 | Maharashtra    | 2021-22 to 2023-24  | Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, Aurangabad                    |
|    14 | Maharashtra    | 2023-24             | Kohla, Nagpur                                  |
|    15 | Mizoram        | 2017-18 and 2018-19 | Vangchhia                                      |
|    16 | Odisha         | 2015-16             | Suabarei, Puri                                 |
|    16 | Odisha         | 2017-18             | Jharhiamba, Angul                              |
|    16 | Odisha         | 2017-18             | Bharati Huda, Cuttack                          |
|    16 | Odisha         | 2018-19             | Asurgarh, Kalahandi                            |
|    16 | Odisha         | 2019-20 and 2020-21 | Lagundi Hills, Jajpur                          |
|    16 | Odisha         | 2021-22             | Sari Deul, Bhubaneswar                         |
|    16 | Odisha         | 2021-22 to 2023-24  | Nara Huda, Khurda                              |
|    16 | Odisha         | 2022-23             | Parabhadi (Sukhuapada), Cuttack                |
|    16 | Odisha         | 2023-24             | Barabati Fort, Cuttack                         |
|    16 | Odisha         | 2024-25             | Ratnagiri                                      |
|    17 | Rajasthan      | 2015-16 and 2016-17 | Binjore                                        |
|    17 | Rajasthan      | 2019-20 and 2020-21 | Kalibanga, Hanumangarh                         |
|    17 | Rajasthan      | 2022-23             | Ojiyana, Bhilwara                              |
|    17 | Rajasthan      | 2022-23             | Bewan, Neem ka Thana                           |
|    17 | Rajasthan      | 2023-24             | Bahaj, Deeg                                    |
|    18 | Tamil Nadu     | 2015-16 and 2016-17 | Keeladi, Sivaganga                             |
|    18 | Tamil Nadu     | 2017-18             | Kodumanal, Erode                               |
|    18 | Tamil Nadu     | 2021-22 and 2022-23 | Adichanallur and cluster of sites, Thoothukudi |
|    18 | Tamil Nadu     | 2022-23 and 2023-24 | Vadakupattu, Kanchipuram                       |
|    18 | Tamil Nadu     | 2024-25             | Chengalpattu                                   |
|    18 | Tamil Nadu     | 2024-25             | Kodumbalur                                     |
|    19 | Telangana      | 2018-19             | Janampet, Badrari Kothagudam                   |
|    20 | Uttar Pradesh  | 2015-16             | Ramtal, Mathura                                |
|    20 | Uttar Pradesh  | 2016-17             | Harinagar, Bijnor                              |
|    20 | Uttar Pradesh  | 2016-17             | Sakatpur, Saharanpur                           |
|    20 | Uttar Pradesh  | 2017-18             | Shakra Tila, Meerut                            |

|     |             | 2017-18             | Barnawa                          |
|-----|-------------|---------------------|----------------------------------|
|     |             | 2017-18 and 2018-19 | Sinauli                          |
|     |             | 2018-19             | Erich                            |
|     |             | 2021-22             | (Ultakhera) Hastinapur           |
|     |             | 2021-22             | Barnauli ki Dhai, Mathura        |
|     |             | 2024-25             | Kachhwa, Hamirpur                |
|     |             | 2024-25             | Tilwara Sakin                    |
| 21. | West Bengal | 2022-23             | Dum Dum Mound, North 24 Parganas |
| 21. | West Bengal | 2022-23             | Bharatpur, Purba Bardhaman       |
| 21. | West Bengal | 2024-25             | Bhadiswar, Birbhum               |

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