Digitisation of inscriptions to begin soon

Tiruchirapalli, Jan 4 (UNI) The Directorate of Epigraphy of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will soon begin digitisation of inscriptions and estampages, ASI Director (in-charge), Epigraphy, S V Venkateshaiah said.

Talking to newspersons here yesterday, he said ''we have a rich representative collection of estampages of the inscriptions found across the country. With advances in technology, it is important that we use it for preserving our records and the matter has been taken up at the highest level.'' Steps were being taken to clear the backlog of publications recording the recent finds, he added.

Mr Venkateshaiah pointed out that the epigraphy branch of the ASI had more than a lakh estampages of inscriptions. Still, many more were to be copied.

Regretting that the interest in epigraphy was declining, he said photo exhibitions organised by the ASI were meant to re-kindle interest among the youth in epigraphy and sensitise them to its importance as primary sources in the study of history.

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