The British archaeologist John Marshall (1876-1958) discovered the ‘Pre-Aryan Indus Valley civilisation and announced in 1924 that one of the Indus languages was Dravidic. He added further that Dravidam speaking people were precursors of the Aryans in Northern India and likely had a culture as advanced as the Indus civilisation. The archaeological discovery by John Marshall has proven Dravidian Supremacy.
Centenary celebration – Presided over
by – Dr. K. Veeramani
The centenary of the announcement of John Marshall is being celebrated by the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) and the Dravidian Historical Research Centre. The inaugural event was held on 24th September, 2024 in Chennai at Periyar Thidal, the Headquarters of the Movement. Delivering the Presidential Address, the President of the Dravidar Kazhagam, Dr.K. Veeramani said –
“John Marshall’s discovery proved that the Aryan civilization of the Vedic Age is not the most ancient one and that Pre-Aryan civilization did exist. His discovery established the truth that Indus Valley civilisaton is undeniably Dravidian civilisation.”
Dr. K. Veeramani quoted the 44th segment of the 10th chapter in the original Manudharma and stressed that a land surface known as ‘Dravidam’ did exist in the pre-Aryan period.
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Other dignitaries on Marshall’s discovery
Dr. P. Jagadeesan, former Vice-Chancellor of Bharatidasan University, Tiruchirapalli said in his introductory speech that historians like William Jones had incorrectly stated that the Aryan civilization was the oldest. John Marshall proved that they were wrong. Historians like A.L. Basham and Professor Gilbert Slater conducted deep research and documented the glory of Dravidam in the Pre-Aryan era.
An eminent Indus Valley civilization researcher R.Balakrishnan, I.A.S. spoke commending the discovery of John Marshall and said that excavations were held during the British rule only to shift antique artefacts to the museums in England. The excavations in Harappa and Mohenjodaro were done with the same motive. Lord Curzon appointed John Marshall in 1920 to conduct excavations in the Indus Valley. Curzon believed that Marshall was the right choice for this significant work. Marshall scripted history by his discovery. Agriculture was the pivotal profession in the Indus Valley civilization. Trade and Commerce related to agriculture should have caused prosperity. Several evidences of Sangam literature were found in the Indus Valley. It was found out that the Pre-Aryan civilization was indeed ‘Dravidam’.
Senior Archaeologist
K. Amarnath Ramakrishna, the Addl. Director of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), who had led the Keeladi excavations in 2015, addressed the audience and said that Dravidam speaking people were permanent dwellers in the Indus Valley long before the Aryans. He said further that all the earlier excavations were aborted attempts. All the true facts were brought out by John Marshall who stressed that no evidence of Vedic Age civilization was found in the Valley. The aborigines who had inhabited the Indus Valley were the Dravidians as per the evidences found.
Dravidian Historical Research Center
Professor A. Karunanandan spoke on John Marshall’s proclamation and said that some vested interests have been trying to distort Indus Valley civilization as Vedic Saraswati civilization etc; Their motive is to glorify the Vedic Age civilisation. Sir. John Marshall proved that Indus Valley civilization is not only non-Aryan but also pre-Aryan. Professor A. Karunanandan narrated how a Spanish archaeologist Fr. Henry Heras once placed his autograph specifying – “I am a Dravidian from Spain”. He concluded his speech urging everyone in the venue to fight against distortion of history. He said further that we are all indebted to Sir. John Marshall for revealing the truth that the Indus Valley civilization was undeniably a non-Aryan, pre-Aryan, Dravidian civilisation.
Unveiling of Portrait
The portrait of Sir. John Marshall was unveiled by Dr.K.Veeramani. The dignitaries were honoured on the stage in a conventional manner. The event was attended by many celebrities, research scholars, press reporters and cadres of the Dravidar Kazhagam. Poet. Kali. Poongundran, Vice President, DK Welcomed. The Treasurer of the DK Movement Thiru.V.Kumaresan delivered vote of thanks. S. Prince Ennares Periyar, Deputy General Secretary, DK,compered.
Compiled by V. Kumaresan
