Stalin Announces $1-mn Prize for Decoding Indus Valley Script

With the script of the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) remaining a mystery even after 100 years after its discovery, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Sunday announced a prize of $1 million to those who decipher the ancient script.

- Divya Chandrababu

CHENNAI:

"We have not been able to clearly understand the writing system of the once flourishing Indus Valley," Stalin said while inaugurating a three-day conference in Chennai to mark the centenary year of the IVC.

English archaeologist Sir John Marshall announced the discovery of IVC on September 20, 1924. "The riddle hasn't been answered for the past 100 years despite several efforts by archaeologists and experts. I announce a cash prize of $1 million to individuals or organisations that decipher the script to the satisfaction of archaeological experts," Stalin said.

The chief minister reiterated that the history of the Indian subcontinent cannot be written without Tamil Nadu or Tamil language - a statement that he made when the DMK formed the government back in 2021 while building up the archaeological expedition of the state.

"The efforts of the state government is to ensure the right place for Tamil Nadu in the country's history," Stalin said.

"There were bulls in the Indus Valley. Bulls are Dravidian symbols. Bulls are spread from Indus Valley to Alanganallur (a village near Madurai famous for Jallikattu). Ancient Tamil literature has rich references to bull-taming sport and one of the IVC seals have impressions of a man trying to tame a bull," he added.