ICHR to find if Ram Setu ‘man-made’

The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) will undertake a twomonth-long pilot project to archaeologically “ascertain” if the structures that make up the “Ram Setu” were “man-made” or naturally formed.

“One of the major projects that we are going to initiate is the Ram Setu pilot project which will seek to ascertain if these structures were results of natural phenomenon or man-made,” said ICHR chairperson Y. Sudershan Rao. The project period spans from October to November. The ICHR is a flagship research-based institution that functions under the HRD ministry. Mr Rao insisted that the project was “completely an ICHR initiative, but we may approach the Centre if needed”. Experts from the ASI, research scholars, university students, marine experts, and scientists will be part of the team.

“A nationwide selection process would pick up students and scholars from various universities to be part of the team .... We are going to hold a two-week workshop on history of oceanic archaeology by May or June. During that event, we will also identify scholars, students and trainers who could be part of this ambitious project,” he said.

Asked if the findings would be compared with writings in the Ramayana, the chairman said, “Our purpose only is to explore it from an archaeological standpoint.”

According to some, the Ram Setu was built by an army of monkeys for Lord Ram and his warriors to cross over to Lanka. These structures, between the coasts of Tamil Naidu and Sri Lanka have been at the centre of controversy especially since the Seethusamudram shipping canal project. “Our project could inspire others, even our government to further take up this project,” Mr Rao said.