Question : DISCOVERY OF TAMIL AND SANSKRIT INSCRIPTIONS

(a) whether the Government are aware that some landmark Tamil and Sanskrit inscriptions were discovered and copies in foreign countries by various scholars in the past;

(b) if so, the details thereof, country- wise and language-wise;

(c) the list of Epigraph scholars and expert linguists sent abroad by ASI to study these inscriptions and the expenditure incurred thereon;

(d) whether the government have any plan to send epigraph experts to these countries to decipher, check and publish the Tamil inscriptions found there; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRI ANANTH KUMAR)


(a) & (b) To date an extremely large number of Tamil and Sanskrit inscriptions have been discovered and deciphered abroad. It would not be possible to give details in this regard, in view of the volume of data involved and the number of scholars, both in Indian & foreign who have been involved in this field.

(c) No expert has been sent abroad by Archaeological Survey of India for this purpose so far.

(d) No, Sir.

(e) Does not arise.