'Rakhigarhi proves India is oldest civilisation, mother of democracy'

The evidence from Rakhigarhi points towards democratic processes, said Raghuvendra Tanwar, chairperson of Indian Council of Historical Research. The Professor Emeritus, Kurukshetra University, also elaborated on ICHR's initiative Bharat: Loktantra ki Janani' in an exclusive interview with the TOI's Manash Gohain. Excerpts from the interview:

- Manash Gohain

Bharat: Loktantra ki Janani speaks about evidence from archaeological excavations at Rakhigarhi and Sanauli. Please elaborate.

The significance of Rakhigarhi is the maturity of the Harappan findings, pre-dating it by almost 1,500 years. So we go back to a period of almost 4500 BCE from the present 2500. That makes us by far the oldest civilisation. In historical research you have to deduce things. Unlike the Egyptian or Mesopotamian civilisation, in Rakhigarhi there was no burial/ tomb. Every society will have some people more important than others. However as no ones death is more important than the other (in Rakhigarhi) we can deduce it as a more inclusive, egalitarian civilisation.

When we are talking about the ‘mother of democracy’, we mean the evolutionary process. Rome and Greece are about seventh century BCE or eighth century BCE. Here we are talking of 4000 BCE, this is the difference. And when you move down the line to Rigvedic period you have specific references (about the democratic process).

What is the idea behind the ICHR’s book by 30 authors and the series of 90 lectures in 45 central and 45 deemed universities on this theme?