Medieval archaeology cell at AU in the offing

REALISING THE potential in Allahabad and adjoining areas the Medieval and Modern History Department of Allahabad University (AU) has decided set up a Medieval Archaeology Cell at the department.

REALISING THE potential in Allahabad and adjoining areas the Medieval and Modern History Department of Allahabad University (AU) has decided set up a Medieval Archaeology Cell at the department.

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The proposal has been sent to the authorities concerned in this regard and the cell will be set up immediately after the infrastructure is developed according to the need of the cell.

Head of Medieval and Modern History department Prof NR Farooqi said that the proposal for new archaeological cell was lying pending for a long time with the varsity authorities owing to inappropriate infrastructure in the department. "We have planned to set up the medieval archaeology cell on the first floor of the existing building of the department. Since the building is old and damaged with seeping ceiling, the work for setting up the archaeological cell was not initiated."

Prof Farooqi said, "Now the varsity has achieved the central status and the sufficient funds were being released by the government, the varsity will develop infrastructure according to the need of the department. The cell will be set up immediately after the repair work of the existing building is completed."

Justifying the need of Archaeological cell in the department Prof Farooqi said, "Allahabad is an ancient city and has a tremendous potential in medieval archaeology. The monuments like Khusrobagh, Fort and sites like Kade in Kaushambi district are of great archaeological importance besides several places of archaeological interest are left unexplored in the area." "The department has also demanded creation of new posts for the medieval archaeology cell to teach the students under the cell", added Prof Farooqi.

"Besides this the department has revived Sir Shafat Ahmed Khan library and added new books to the 20-year-old library. We have inducted the personal collection of former heads of the Medieval and Modern History department Prof Radhey Shyam and Prof BD Saxena. Around one thousand books are a rare collection and we have procured them by paying a token amount to the wife of Prof Radhey Shyam, collected through personal contributions by teachers and research scholars of the department", added Prof Farooqi.