2012/01/01 by Cynthia Ann Humes · 2 citations
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Anthropological Studies and Insights #Indian and Buddhist Studies #Southeast Asian Sociopolitical Studies #Hindutva #Indus #Context (archaeology) #Ideology #Civilization #History of religions #History #Sociology #Political science #Archaeology #Law #Politics
paper · doi:10.1163/156852712x630770
openalex publication_date 2012/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Abstract This essay elucidates ideologically-inspired interpretations of the South Asian archeological record, particularly by those called Hindutvādins , and those who write about (and against) them. I first survey briefly the chief points in the history of archaeology in examining the Indus Valley Civilization. Next, I describe some of the major controversies that reflect claims of Hindutva pseudoarchaeology in the South Asian context. Throughout, I illustrate the increasingly virulent interactions between Hindutva proponents, indigenist theorists, and academic interpreters, and what these debates foretell of the future of Indus Valley studies.