Reconstructing Indian History: Alexander Cunningham's Role in Shaping Historiography

Rashid Manzoor Bhat

doi:doi:10.11648/j.history.20231102.11

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Reconstructing Indian History: Alexander Cunningham's Role in Shaping Historiography

Rashid Manzoor Bhat

Published in History Research (Volume 11, Issue 2)

Received: 8 May 2023 Accepted: 24 May 2023 Published: 21 July 2023

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Abstract

The present study explores contributions and impact of Alexander Cunningham on Indian historiography with an extensive exploration of Cunningham's background, including his career, and significant achievements. It attempts to explore the life, career, and significant contributions of Alexander Cunningham to Indian historiography. The objectives of this study are to get into Cunningham's education, career, and methodologies, and to assess their impact on our understanding of Indian history. The paper analyses Cunningham's role in the establishment of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and evaluates the significance of his identification and preservation of historical sites. It also discusses the controversies surrounding his work and examines his legacy and influence on subsequent historiographical endeavours. The study also highlights Cunningham's interdisciplinary approach, which combined archaeology, epigraphy, and historical analysis in his research. The research methodology employed is primarily analytical and exploratory, involving a comprehensive examination of Cunningham's life, education, career, and contributions to Indian historiography. His methodologies and approaches in archaeological surveys and excavations are analyzed to understand their impact on the reconstruction of Indian history. The study also discusses controversies and debates surrounding his work and presents case studies showcasing different periods and aspects of Indian history. Besides, the research explores the relationship between Cunningham's historiographical contributions and the historical context of colonial India. By shedding light on Cunningham's significant role in shaping Indian historiography, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the reconstruction of India's historical past and the influence of colonial-era scholars on our knowledge of Indian history. Ultimately, the findings of this research enhance our knowledge of Cunningham's methodologies, highlight the importance of his contributions, and provide valuable insights into the understanding and reconstruction of Indian history.

Published in	History Research (Volume 11, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.history.20231102.11
Page(s)	38-43
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Alexander Cunningham, Indian Historiography, Impact, Interdisciplinary Approach, Methodologies

References

[1]	Imam, A. (1963). Sir Alexander Cunningham and the Beginnings of Indian Archeology. University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies (United Kingdom).
[2]	Aparajita, B. Remembering a Pioneer in the Bicentenary, Sir Alexander Cunningham and the Study of Indian Temple Art.
[3]	Shaheen, I. (2021). The Colonial Archaeology of Taxila: A historiographical analysis. Journal of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences (JHSMS), 2 (2), 335-347.
[4]	Sarkar, S. (1994). Orientalism revisited: Saidian frameworks in the writing of modern Indian history. Oxford Literary Review, 16 (1), 205-224.
[5]	Mughal, M. R. (2011). Heritage Preservation in Pakistan. State Vandalism of History in Pakistan, Lahore: Vanguard Books.
[6]	NALANDA, A. (2018). ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS. Records, Recoveries, Remnants and Inter-Asian Interconnections: Decoding Cultural Heritage, 239.
[7]	Bayly, C. A. (2006). Modern Indian Historiography. In Companion to Historiography (pp. 677-691). Routledge.
[8]	Grover, B. L., & Mehta, A. (2008). A new look at modern Indian history: from 1707 to the modern times. S. Chand Publishing.
[9]	Cunningham, A. (2023). Archaeological Survey of India: Vol. 1. BoD–Books on Demand.
[10]	Imam, A. (1963). Sir Alexander Cunningham (1814–1893): The First Phase of Indian Archaeology. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 95 (3-4), 194-207.
[11]	Chakrabarti, D. K. (1982). The development of archaeology in the Indian subcontinent. World Archaeology, 13 (3), 326-344.
[12]	Pratap, A. (2014). Indian Archaeology and Postmodernism: Fashion or Necessity?. Ancient Asia, 5.
[13]	Prakash, R. (2013). The Journey of Indian Archaeology: From Antiquarianism to Archaeology under British Rule. South Asian Journal of Tourism and Heritage, 6 (1), 137-144.
[14]	Caspers, E. D. (1991). A History of Indian Archaeology from the Beginning to 1947.
[15]	Brekke, T. (2007). Bones of contention: Buddhist relics, nationalism and the politics of archaeology. Numen, 54 (3), 270-303.

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Rashid Manzoor Bhat. (2023). Reconstructing Indian History: Alexander Cunningham's Role in Shaping Historiography. History Research, 11(2), 38-43. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.history.20231102.11

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Rashid Manzoor Bhat. Reconstructing Indian History: Alexander Cunningham's Role in Shaping Historiography. Hist. Res. 2023, 11(2), 38-43. doi: 10.11648/j.history.20231102.11

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Rashid Manzoor Bhat. Reconstructing Indian History: Alexander Cunningham's Role in Shaping Historiography. Hist Res. 2023;11(2):38-43. doi: 10.11648/j.history.20231102.11

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@article{10.11648/j.history.20231102.11,
  author = {Rashid Manzoor Bhat},
  title = {Reconstructing Indian History: Alexander Cunningham's Role in Shaping Historiography},
  journal = {History Research},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {38-43},
  doi = {10.11648/j.history.20231102.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.history.20231102.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.history.20231102.11},
  abstract = {The present study explores contributions and impact of Alexander Cunningham on Indian historiography with an extensive exploration of Cunningham's background, including his career, and significant achievements. It attempts to explore the life, career, and significant contributions of Alexander Cunningham to Indian historiography. The objectives of this study are to get into Cunningham's education, career, and methodologies, and to assess their impact on our understanding of Indian history. The paper analyses Cunningham's role in the establishment of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and evaluates the significance of his identification and preservation of historical sites. It also discusses the controversies surrounding his work and examines his legacy and influence on subsequent historiographical endeavours. The study also highlights Cunningham's interdisciplinary approach, which combined archaeology, epigraphy, and historical analysis in his research. The research methodology employed is primarily analytical and exploratory, involving a comprehensive examination of Cunningham's life, education, career, and contributions to Indian historiography. His methodologies and approaches in archaeological surveys and excavations are analyzed to understand their impact on the reconstruction of Indian history. The study also discusses controversies and debates surrounding his work and presents case studies showcasing different periods and aspects of Indian history. Besides, the research explores the relationship between Cunningham's historiographical contributions and the historical context of colonial India. By shedding light on Cunningham's significant role in shaping Indian historiography, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the reconstruction of India's historical past and the influence of colonial-era scholars on our knowledge of Indian history. Ultimately, the findings of this research enhance our knowledge of Cunningham's methodologies, highlight the importance of his contributions, and provide valuable insights into the understanding and reconstruction of Indian history.},
 year = {2023}
}

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AB  - The present study explores contributions and impact of Alexander Cunningham on Indian historiography with an extensive exploration of Cunningham's background, including his career, and significant achievements. It attempts to explore the life, career, and significant contributions of Alexander Cunningham to Indian historiography. The objectives of this study are to get into Cunningham's education, career, and methodologies, and to assess their impact on our understanding of Indian history. The paper analyses Cunningham's role in the establishment of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and evaluates the significance of his identification and preservation of historical sites. It also discusses the controversies surrounding his work and examines his legacy and influence on subsequent historiographical endeavours. The study also highlights Cunningham's interdisciplinary approach, which combined archaeology, epigraphy, and historical analysis in his research. The research methodology employed is primarily analytical and exploratory, involving a comprehensive examination of Cunningham's life, education, career, and contributions to Indian historiography. His methodologies and approaches in archaeological surveys and excavations are analyzed to understand their impact on the reconstruction of Indian history. The study also discusses controversies and debates surrounding his work and presents case studies showcasing different periods and aspects of Indian history. Besides, the research explores the relationship between Cunningham's historiographical contributions and the historical context of colonial India. By shedding light on Cunningham's significant role in shaping Indian historiography, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the reconstruction of India's historical past and the influence of colonial-era scholars on our knowledge of Indian history. Ultimately, the findings of this research enhance our knowledge of Cunningham's methodologies, highlight the importance of his contributions, and provide valuable insights into the understanding and reconstruction of Indian history.
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Author Information

Rashid Manzoor Bhat

Department of History, Faculty of Arts, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India

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APA Style

Rashid Manzoor Bhat. (2023). Reconstructing Indian History: Alexander Cunningham's Role in Shaping Historiography. History Research, 11(2), 38-43. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.history.20231102.11

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ACS Style

Rashid Manzoor Bhat. Reconstructing Indian History: Alexander Cunningham's Role in Shaping Historiography. Hist. Res. 2023, 11(2), 38-43. doi: 10.11648/j.history.20231102.11

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AMA Style

Rashid Manzoor Bhat. Reconstructing Indian History: Alexander Cunningham's Role in Shaping Historiography. Hist Res. 2023;11(2):38-43. doi: 10.11648/j.history.20231102.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.history.20231102.11,
  author = {Rashid Manzoor Bhat},
  title = {Reconstructing Indian History: Alexander Cunningham's Role in Shaping Historiography},
  journal = {History Research},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {38-43},
  doi = {10.11648/j.history.20231102.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.history.20231102.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.history.20231102.11},
  abstract = {The present study explores contributions and impact of Alexander Cunningham on Indian historiography with an extensive exploration of Cunningham's background, including his career, and significant achievements. It attempts to explore the life, career, and significant contributions of Alexander Cunningham to Indian historiography. The objectives of this study are to get into Cunningham's education, career, and methodologies, and to assess their impact on our understanding of Indian history. The paper analyses Cunningham's role in the establishment of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and evaluates the significance of his identification and preservation of historical sites. It also discusses the controversies surrounding his work and examines his legacy and influence on subsequent historiographical endeavours. The study also highlights Cunningham's interdisciplinary approach, which combined archaeology, epigraphy, and historical analysis in his research. The research methodology employed is primarily analytical and exploratory, involving a comprehensive examination of Cunningham's life, education, career, and contributions to Indian historiography. His methodologies and approaches in archaeological surveys and excavations are analyzed to understand their impact on the reconstruction of Indian history. The study also discusses controversies and debates surrounding his work and presents case studies showcasing different periods and aspects of Indian history. Besides, the research explores the relationship between Cunningham's historiographical contributions and the historical context of colonial India. By shedding light on Cunningham's significant role in shaping Indian historiography, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the reconstruction of India's historical past and the influence of colonial-era scholars on our knowledge of Indian history. Ultimately, the findings of this research enhance our knowledge of Cunningham's methodologies, highlight the importance of his contributions, and provide valuable insights into the understanding and reconstruction of Indian history.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Reconstructing Indian History: Alexander Cunningham's Role in Shaping Historiography
AU  - Rashid Manzoor Bhat
Y1  - 2023/07/21
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.history.20231102.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.history.20231102.11
T2  - History Research
JF  - History Research
JO  - History Research
SP  - 38
EP  - 43
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-6719
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.history.20231102.11
AB  - The present study explores contributions and impact of Alexander Cunningham on Indian historiography with an extensive exploration of Cunningham's background, including his career, and significant achievements. It attempts to explore the life, career, and significant contributions of Alexander Cunningham to Indian historiography. The objectives of this study are to get into Cunningham's education, career, and methodologies, and to assess their impact on our understanding of Indian history. The paper analyses Cunningham's role in the establishment of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and evaluates the significance of his identification and preservation of historical sites. It also discusses the controversies surrounding his work and examines his legacy and influence on subsequent historiographical endeavours. The study also highlights Cunningham's interdisciplinary approach, which combined archaeology, epigraphy, and historical analysis in his research. The research methodology employed is primarily analytical and exploratory, involving a comprehensive examination of Cunningham's life, education, career, and contributions to Indian historiography. His methodologies and approaches in archaeological surveys and excavations are analyzed to understand their impact on the reconstruction of Indian history. The study also discusses controversies and debates surrounding his work and presents case studies showcasing different periods and aspects of Indian history. Besides, the research explores the relationship between Cunningham's historiographical contributions and the historical context of colonial India. By shedding light on Cunningham's significant role in shaping Indian historiography, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the reconstruction of India's historical past and the influence of colonial-era scholars on our knowledge of Indian history. Ultimately, the findings of this research enhance our knowledge of Cunningham's methodologies, highlight the importance of his contributions, and provide valuable insights into the understanding and reconstruction of Indian history.
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download