Asiriyar Dr.K. Veeramani, President Dravidar Kazhagam addresses the seminar, Indus – Dravidian Civilization’: The functionaries of Dravidian Historical Research Centre are on the dais.
Sir. John Marshal was the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India during the British Rule in India. Excavations and Survey were done under his leadership, probing into the facts related to the Indus Valley Civilisation. Sir. John Marshal proclaimed through his significant report that the Indus Valley Civilisation was indubitably Dravidian Civilisation. This report was submitted by him in 1924 – a hundred years ago. The centenary of this Report commenced in 2024 and would conclude in 2025 after a year long celebration.
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The centenary celebration began on 19th July, 2024 at Periyar Thidal in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, as a token of commemoration. The event was held under the caption “Indus-Dravidian Civilisation”. It was organised by the Dravidian Historical Research Center headed by Thiru. P. Jagadeesan. Dr. K. Veeramani, Chancellor of Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science and Technology, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu delivered the Valedictory Address. The content of his speech was as follows:
“Most of us were unaware of the glory of our own culture and civilisation during the bygone days. We could understand them and realise their pride only when the westerners arrived at this land. They conducted survey and research on our civilisation language and culture. After their massive field work we realised the glory of our past and felt true pride.
For centuries, ‘Thirukkural’ was confined to name sake references occasionally. The western scholar G.U. Pope studied it deeply and translated it into English. Only then we realised the greatness of that unparalleled work. Thanthai Periyar organised a conference and made it reach the common public. The ‘Thirukkural Conference’ helped people understand the greatness of that literary masterpiece through that conference. The pride of ‘Thirukkural’ gained widespread popularity by the efforts of Thanthai Periyar.
Similarly, the excavations related to the Indus Valley Civilisation were conducted in Harappa, Mohenjodaro and other places in the vicinity. The research work commenced in 1920. Though several archaeological expeditions had taken place even earlier, this particular excavation work undertaken in and around the Indus Valley was superior to all the past excavations. This amazing work was equal to the excavations conducted in several parts of the world; in fact, even superior to all those excavations and surveys. There is ample evidence to prove the astonishing quality and outcome of this particular survey. It was Sir. John Marshal who conducted a massive survey with his team members and conveyed his findings in 1924. The Indus Valley Civilisation was given by him the name ‘Dravidian Civilisation’. Explaining the facts behind it he submitted a historic Report with all the relevant details. As the senior most scholar in the team, he was the Director General of Survey of India during the rule of the British in India.
On the basis of language, the individuality and exceptional glory of Dravidam was discovered earlier by the Rev. Pastor Caldwell; but in the field of excavation and survey, greater emphasis was laid verbally by Sir. John Marshal. He made the entire world realise the glory of the most ancient Dravidian Civilisation. He gave it worldwide fame and popularity through his Vital Report in 1924. It was understood by all that the Dravidian Civilisation is older than the Vedic Era Civilisation too. His report proved the antiquity of the Dravidian Civilisation and made the world realise it as an urban civilisation, enormously rich in culture.
Before the discovery of Sir. John Marshal no one had ever heard of ‘Dravidian Civilisation’. Hence, his Report is considered invaluable. The Centenary of the Report (1924 – 2025) has now commenced. The celebration is meant for the spread of a historical truth.
One of the eminent leaders of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was the Late Thiru. R. Nedunchezhian, a renowned scholar. When he was a student of Annamalai University in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, once he happened to hear the speech of a great researcher and scholar. In his book ‘The History of Dravidian Movement’ written later in his life, Nedunchezian has referred to the speech of that orator.
Father Henry Heras was deeply involved long ago in excavations and surveys related to the Indus Valley Civilisation. He delivered lectures about them at Annamalai University during the fag end of 1910. Thiru. Nedunchezhian has cited in his work references to the speeches of this researcher too.
Fr.Heras had clearly stated that the Dravidian Civilization had its roots deep seated all over the world. He had remarked, “I am a native of Spain, but I feel proud to call myself a “Spanish Dravidian”.
Sir John Marshall
(1876 – 1958)
Thiru. Nedunchezian heard this speech when he was a student. Therefore, he has quoted in his book, the words of the Father Heras, in support of his view.
It is a pity that the scholars of other countries have to remind us about our own glorious past and inculcate the ‘Dravidian’ spirit and consciousness in us. Why do we need outsiders to make us realise that we are “exceptionally proud Dravidians?”
Many more research statements must come out during this centenary year of Sir. John Marshal’s Report. Research scholars must undertake this noble work and go ahead constantly. We take the responsibility of making such findings reach the common public. To propagate them all is our bounden duty. We urge upon all eminent academicians and scholars to begin this noble task. The centenary of Sir. John Marshal Report should be celebrated all over the country. The glory of “Dravidian Civilisation must be understood by people all over the world.”
The event began at 10.00 a.m. and went on upto 6.00 p.m. Students and faculty members of several city Colleges and suburban attended. The following resolution was adopted and unanimously passed:
“As a part of the commemoration and centenary celebration of Sir. John Marhal’s Report, declaring the Indus Valley Civilisation as the Dravidian Civilisation, the Government of Tamil Nadu has decided to conduct an International Conference and to erect a statue of Sir. John Marshal. A sum of Rs.50 lakh is to be allotted for these purposes by the Government of Tamil Nadu. It is resolved to thank and commend the Government of Tamil Nadu and especially the Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru. M.K. Stalin. This Resolution is unanimously passed on 19th July 2024 at Periyar Thidal, Chennai, during the celebration of the Centenary of Sir. John Marshal Report.”
Apart, lectures were delivered on Indus – Dravidian Civilization by Dr. Marcia Gandhi, Deputy Superintendent (Rtd.) Achaeological Department, Government of Tamil Nadu; Prof.A. Karunanandan, formerly HoD, History, Vivekananda College, Chennai; Prof.S.S.Sundaram, HoD, Department of Indian History, University of Madras; V. Marappan, Department of History, Presidency College, Chennai and Kumaran, Department of History, C. Abdul Hakeem College, Mel Visharam. A. Rasheed Khan, Department of History, welcomed the gathering and V. Kumaresan, Treasurer, Dravidian Historical Research Centre, proposed vote of thanks.
