History News Desk !!! Braj Basi Lal (English: Braj Basi Lal, born- 2 May 1921; died- 10 September 2022) was a famous archaeologist of India. He explored and excavated many archaeological sites in different parts of India. B. B. Lal, former Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), got the most discussion for the discovery of the presence of a temple in the foundation of the disputed structure of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. There was a lot of debate about B. B. Lal’s book ‘Ram, his history, temple and bridge: literature, archaeology and other sciences’. It was said that there was a temple under the disputed structure. Braj Basi Lal was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in the year 2000 in the field of science and engineering and the Padma Vibhushan in 2021.
Born in 1921 in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, Braj Basi Lal has uncovered many layers of history by excavating many important historical sites including Hastinapur (Uttar Pradesh), Shishupalgarh (Orissa), Purana Qila (Delhi), Kalibangan (Rajasthan). Since 1975-1976, Braj Basi Lal has brought important facts to the world by excavating sites such as Ayodhya, Bharadwaj Ashram, Shringaverapura, Nandigram and Chitrakoot related to Ramayana. He has more than 150 research articles to his credit.[1]
There was a lot of debate about Braj Basi Lal’s book ‘Ram, his history, temple and bridge: literature, archaeology and other sciences’. It was said in this that there was a temple under the disputed structure. He also presented before the world the idols of Hindu gods and goddesses on some pillars used in the walls of the mosque. He was the one who gave archaeological proof that a temple was present there before the mosque and the mosque was built on the foundation of the temple.
The Archaeological Survey of India decided to preserve the ancient structural remains that came to light during the excavation done in Purana Qila about 67 years ago. This was the first excavation after the independence of the country which was done in 1953. This excavation was done in Purana Qila to find out Indraprastha, the capital of the Pandavas. Keeping this objective in mind, excavation work was also done in this fort in 1969-1973. Both the excavations were done under the leadership of the famous archaeologist Braj Basi Lal.[1]
During the excavations conducted by Prof. Braj Basi Lal in 1953-1954 and 1969-1973, terracotta toys and painted bowls were found. These were dated to 1200 to 800 BC. The latest excavations were conducted in 2018. Similar evidences were found in the excavations conducted in 2018. In 2018, permission was given to excavate here again, but it was later cancelled as the work could not be started on time.
Professor Braj Basi Lal gave the world many new facts by excavating places like Ayodhya, Bharadwaj Ashram, Shringaverpur, Nandigram and Chitrakoot related to Ramayana. These facts helped a lot in reviving the history of Hinduism which had been erased. He has written more than 150 research papers in this regard and these research papers provide important information about these religious places. He excavated the Purana Qila of Delhi about 67 years ago, in which many ancient remains were found. These remains were later preserved. This was the first excavation in 1953 after the independence of the country. Excavation work was done here again under his leadership in 1969-1973.
Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vedas, Upanishads etc. were described as mythology in school books. Ram and Krishna were described as imaginary. All these were proved wrong by Prof. Braj Basi Lal. The main reason for the Ram Mandir which is being built in Ayodhya right now was Braj Basi Lal, who proved that the temple named Ram Mandir was the same one which was demolished by Babar. It was because of Prof. Braj Basi Lal that Hindus of India came to know that Ramayana and Mahabharata are not imaginary. These were real incidents. Braj Basi Lal had done research on Dwarka city. He had done research on Dwarka after searching it in the sea. He had done a lot of research by finding the remains of Ramayana and Mahabharata period of India. It is because of his service that today the mouths of those people have been shut who wanted to prove Ram as imaginary. The theory that Aryans came from outside was also proved wrong.
There is a book by Prof. Braj Basi Lal – ‘Indraprastha: The Baking Time of Delhi’ and another book – ‘Times of Rigveda Era People’ (Rigveda Ke Samay Ke Log Aur Vyavastha) and there are many other books which are a big thing to read and the evidences have been given in such a good manner that one will feel like reading the book 10-20 times.
In fact, Braj Basi Lal was trying to find out about Indraprastha, the grand capital of the Pandavas. Professor Braj Basi Lal, who rejected the Aryan-Dravidian theory and proved it wrong, also faced criticism from leftist intellectuals. Despite constant criticism, he stood by his opinion and gave a new form to the history of Hinduism through several books and research papers.
Veteran archaeologist and Padma Vibhushan awardee Braj Basi Lal passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at the age of 101. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his demise. The PM said, “Lal will be remembered as a great intellectual who deepened our ties with our rich past. Saddened by his demise. My condolences are with his family and friends. Om Shanti.”