The All-India Oriental Conference (Third Session)
By Sushil Kumar De
Summary
The All-India Oriental Conference's Third Session in Madras addressed critical issues in oriental studies, particularly the undeciphered seals with unique characters resembling Babylonian and Cretan scripts. Dr. Ganganath Jha, presiding, emphasized the need for centralized oriental research, better funding, and public support, noting institutions like the Bhandarkar Research Institute and Varendra Research Society had made strides but faced limitations. He highlighted the urgent need to preserve manuscripts threatened by natural damage and lamented the lack of public interest. The conference also proposed a "Book-Bulletin" to track oriental publications and stressed the value of vernacular research, countering perceptions of its inferiority. The session marked the first without Sir Asutosh Mookerjee, whose absence and the lack of Calcutta University representatives were noted with regret. Discussions underscored challenges in manuscript acquisition, preservation, and the broader cultural significance of resolving India's ancient script mysteries.
Conclusion
The Third Session of the All-India Oriental Conference underscored the critical need for deciphering India's enigmatic seals, whose undeciphered scripts hold keys to unraveling ancient cultural and historical connections. The conference highlighted the urgency of scholarly collaboration, emphasizing the potential for breakthroughs akin to past linguistic milestones. It also addressed the broader challenges of organizing oriental research in India, advocating for institutional support and centralized initiatives to foster advanced studies. The absence of representatives from key institutions like the University of Calcutta cast a shadow, yet the event reaffirmed the enduring value of such gatherings in bridging scholarly gaps and inspiring future generations of researchers.