Keeladi Controversy

Why in the News?

1. Keeladi has gained national attention as it is seen by many in Tamil Nadu as strong evidence of an advanced ancient Tamil civilisation.
2. In January 2023, archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna submitted a report on the Keeladi excavations, highlighting findings from the Sangam–era.
3. Recently, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) asked him to revise his report, questioning the dating and interpretation of some findings.
4. This move has sparked controversy, with political parties in Tamil Nadu accusing the Centre of trying to undermine Tamil heritage.

Key Highlights

1. About Keeladi Excavation
   1. Amarnath Ramakrishna, who was then the Superintending Archaeologist of the ASI, began excavations at the Pallichanthai Tidal site in Keeladi, which was originally a 100-acre coconut grove.
   2. He had shortlisted more than 100 sites along the Vaigai River for excavation, but Keeladi emerged as the most significant among them.
   3. Sophisticated urban society: In Keeladi, they found over 7,500 old objects like walls, drains, and wells, showing that an advanced city once existed there.
   4. Carbon dating showed that these findings are more than 2,160 years old, going back to the 2nd century BCE, the Sangam period in Tamil history.
2. Significant findings
   1. No religious symbols were found at the site, suggesting that the civilisation was secular.
   2. Tamil historians and enthusiasts viewed this as strong evidence of an advanced ancient Tamil civilisation.
3. Political Tensions
   1. The excavations were done in two phases between 2014 and 2016 by Mr. Ramakrishna.
   2. Just as the work was gaining momentum, he was transferred to Assam.
   3. Critics accused the central government of purposely slowing down the project.
   4. The Centre, which had promised funds and support, delayed both after the second phase.
   5. This led to political tension, with some claiming the Centre was trying to hide Tamil heritage.
   6. In 2017, the third phase began under archaeologist P.S. Sriraman.
   7. But after digging around 400 square meters, he reported that the earlier brick structures did not continue further.
4. Rising Tensions
   1. The Madras High Court got involved and even visited the excavation site.
   2. It ordered the ASI to continue the work and allowed the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology to join the project.
   3. In 2019, the department released a report saying Keeladi was an urban settlement from the Sangam era (6th century BCE to 1st century CE).
   4. Since then, the State Archaeology Department has led the excavations, but instead of settling things, the controversy has grown.
   5. In January 2023, Mr. Ramakrishna, who was transferred back to Tamil Nadu, submitted his report on the first two phases.
5. The controversy
   1. Mr. Ramakrishna’s report stayed with the ASI for about two and a half years.
   2. In June 2025, the ASI asked him to revise the report.
   3. The ASI raised doubts about the dating and depth of some findings, saying the early evidence needed more analysis.
   4. But Mr. Ramakrishna refused to change his report, saying his conclusions were based on proper scientific methods.
   5. He said the timeline in the report was backed by soil layers, cultural remains, and advanced dating techniques like Accelerator Mass Spectrometry.
   6. Political parties in Tamil Nadu strongly criticised the ASI’s move, calling it an attempt to hide Tamil heritage.
   7. They claimed that the Centre was ignoring Keeladi’s importance for political reasons, not scientific ones.
   8. In response, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the findings lacked strong technical support and needed more scientific study.
   1. He said one report alone isn’t enough to change the entire historical understanding and more data is required.
6. State Party’s views
   1. The AIADMK, which was in power when the Keeladi report came out, stayed quiet for a long time during the recent controversy.
   2. But in June 2025, senior leader R.B. Udhayakumar said the Centre only asked for more details to ensure “additional proof.”
   3. He also added that if the Keeladi report is rejected, the AIADMK would be the first to raise its voice in protest.

Challenges and Way Forward

Conclusion

This issue goes beyond a single report or excavation, it represents a broader conflict of perspectives. While the Centre emphasizes the need for scientific verification, Tamil Nadu sees it as a question of acknowledging its historical legacy. Despite the dispute, the State continues its excavations and has already opened a museum at Keeladi, attracting thousands of visitors.