Revised inscription plaque installed at Sarnath ASI site

Varanasi: After extensive study of authentic documents and primary historical evidence, the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, acknowledged that the Sarnath site in Varanasi first came to light through excavation carried out by Babu Jagat Singh. In accordance with this recognition, a revised inscription plaque was installed at the Sarnath ASI site vide a letter dated Feb 10. Babu Jagat Singh initiated excavation work in Sarnath region during late 18th century.Speaking to reporters on Monday, Pradeep Narayan Singh, a sixth-generation descendant of Babu Jagat Singh and patron of Babu Jagat Singh Royal Family Project Research Committee, said that for a long time, the fact remained suppressed in pages of history. In recent years, through research committee and on the basis of authentic sources, this contribution now received official recognition.He said last year Dharmarajika plaque in Sarnath complex was also revised and replaced with a new plaque. The research committee presented authenticated documents before the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, on the basis of which the long-standing misconception prevailing since the colonial period was corrected."In the process of changing the inscription plaques, we received valuable contributions from scholars of Varanasi, as well as from universities and colleges including Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Kolkata, University of Lucknow, and Patna University, along with their present and retired faculty members," he said, adding that research work was continuing and new facts would soon come to light and be shared with the nation.