Pathik 2003 Vol 43 Ank 10 11 12

SR No.: 535516
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhartiben Shelat, Subhash Bramhabhatt
Publisher: Mansingji Barad Smarak Trust
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 168
Language: Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Pathik, & India
File Size: 11 MB

Page 19

on "Geographic Factors in Andhra History and Archaeology". This very theme he developed in his presidential address of the Archaeology Section of the All India Oriental Conference at Annamalainagar. Later this formed the basis of his cpoch making work "The Personality of India - A Study in the Development of Material Culture of India and Pakistan" foreworded by Sir Mortimer Wheeler. For the first time an explanation was offered for the differential cultural development in different parts of the Indian sub-continent right from the Stone Age up to Historic times, a thing which was attempted by Sir Cyril Fox for England some 40 ycars ago.
Sankalia, while writing on "Subbarao and his work” for a special issue of the Journal of the M.S.University of Baroda (Dr. Subbarao Memorial Number, April 1966) remarked, “Though one may not agree with all the interpretations of Subbarao, still one cannot fail to appreciate the deep insight of the author and his original approach to our past and present cultural and political problems. No wonder the book elicited encomiums from scholars all over the world and within a couple of ycars, ran into two editions". Late Dr. C.D. Deshmukh, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission liked The Personality of India so much that he made an announcement that U.G.C. would finance its Gujarati and Hindi translation. Subbarao also thought to translate the same into Telugu.
Six Universities in India had been selected by the University Grants Commission on strength of equipment, facilities and the earlier work done for the establishment of full-fledged departments of archaeology under the second Five-Year plan with a magnificent grant. Baroda was one of them. The other five were the archaeology departments at Deccan College Pune and at the Universities of Allahabad, Patna, Calcutta and Madras. However, Baroda alone could set up the Department within less than two years while others took some more time for proper utilization of the grant. This speedy completion of the Department owed a great deal to Subbarao's enthusiasm, dash and above all his readiness with a plan. Perhaps more than anywhere else in India, he had provided for a well-thought out scientific wing to a University Department of Archaeology. Had he lived longer, he would have equipped it still further making it the finest in the East. Here, I would like to quote from one of Subbarao's letters written to his uncle on 26th December, 1958 from Maheshwar excavation camp on his plan for establishment of a full-fledged Department of Archaeology after receiving the UGC grant -"My staff is being trebled and I am developing exactly on the lines of the London University, Institute of Archacology................. If God blesses my present efforts, I will develop my institution into the best institution in the country. The Vice-Chancellor is very proud of this that he offered me a free hand to get anybody and do accordingly to my will."
ulas dulas – 7419-2410122-84242, 2003 • 90