One of the most respected names in archaeological circles of India is that of the late Padma Bhushan Ghulam Yazdani, who founded the archaeology department of Hyderabad state in 1914.

He served the department for 30 years and his exemplary contributions are yet to be paralleled in the annals of the department. One of his most notable contributions is the scholarly work on Bidar and its monuments which to date remains the defining text on the subject. He is also remembered in academic circles for his exhaustive study of Arabic and Persian inscriptions which are reproduced with exhaustive explanatory notes in 14 volumes of the Epigraphica Indo-Moslemica that he edited during his long and distinguished career. The enduring contribution of Yazdani to Indian archaeology is undoubtedly his work on Ajanta and Ellora which earned him international recognition and placed Hyderabad on the archaeological map of the world as pioneers in the field of exhaustive documentation of antiquated cultural assets. It was customary for the various departments of the Nizam’s government to publish annual reports of their activities. These comprehensive documents listed out the work undertaken by the organization in the preceding year and included details of the expenditure incurred. Considering the fact that old Hyderabad has been accused of being an autocratic state, one wonders at the availability of such information for public consumption as the need for similar information today would require an invocation of the RTI Act. The reports of the archaeology department are most comprehensive and include graphic descriptions of field trips undertaken by its personnel. They record even minor observations regarding monuments and sites visited making them a much sought after source of information to this day. Scholars undertaking historical research within the jurisdiction of the department, which today is spread over three states, consider these reports to be a vital source of information. It is no surprise that the most notable and scholarly contributions to these reports are by Dr Yazdani. His very first account, one relating to the Ajanta caves, appears in the 1914 edition , leading one to conclude that the tremendous international interest generated by the discovery of Ajanta and Ellora was instrumental in setting up of the department at Hyderabad.

The Archaeological Survey of India was established in 1861 and provided training to young officers from Hyderabad in the nascent stages of development of its department of archaeology. This opportunity enabled budding archaeologists to gain vital expertise which enhanced the quality of their work on returning to serve the state. The dynamic leadership provided by Dr Yazdani resulted in such a remarkable transformation that within a few years his department was acknowledged as the best in the sub-continent precipitating an astonishing reversal of roles with aspiring archaeologists from British India now being deputed to Hyderabad for superior field training. Percy Brown in his canonical text on the architecture of India notes that the success of the department under Yazdani changed perceptions in the field of Indian archaeology to such an extent that Justice Imlay of Calcutta, criticizing the deterioration in standards of archaeological conservation in British India, suggested that all monuments under colonial administration be handed over to the Hyderabad government for proper care and upkeep. Unfortunately this hard earned reputation has taken a severe beating in the recent past with the Andhra Pradesh state department of archaeology and museums now largely notorious for neglect and apathy instead of scholarship and excellence which had been its hallmark.

It is regrettable that the state government chose to rename the State Archaeological Museum after Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, the former chief minister who has no known contributions to his credit in either the fields of archaeology or protection of heritage and culture to justify such an action. It would have been a befitting tribute to have named the museum after Ghulam Yazdani, founder of the department and unquestionably the most outstanding Indian scholar of archaeology of his times. But then, as all the perfumes of Arabia could not sweeten the little hand, the stigma of having been a subject of the Nizam is difficult to be rid of in our state. Even for one who was honoured with a Padma Bhushan by an appreciative nation.

( The writer is a heritage activist)

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Sajjad Shahid / December 12th, 2011