Historian Himanshu Prabha Ray and Ajay Yadav’s book titled Indian Archaeology after Independence: Amalananda Ghosh and his Legacy was recently launched at Delhi’s Humayun Tomb Museum Auditorium. The book examines ASI’s work post-Independence and challenges the notion that the institution primarily indulged in the discovery of Harappan sites - archaeological sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, named after Harappa. Amalananda Ghosh was the torchbearer of Indian archaeology after Independence, steering the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) away from its colonial roots. “It is surprising that we never actually recognise his contribution. He focuses on the classification of pottery, which is the major tool to establish the chronology of the sites in today’s time,” said Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director General of ASI.Ratish Nanda, conservation architect at Aga Khan Trust for Culture moderated the session. “This book highlights the contribution of the longest serving director general of the ASI. It turns on its head on a lot of common perceptions believed to be knowledge about the ASI,” said Nanda, adding that Harappan and those sites are just a part of the puzzle.