Chandigarh: Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sh Gian Chand Gupta and Urban Local Bodies Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta launched the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey at the Agroha archaeological site in Hisar on Monday.
A recent agreement was inked between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Haryana Archaeology and Museum Department to develop the Agroha archaeological site, initiating the survey work today.
Following the completion of the survey, further actions will be taken. The last excavation at the Agroha archaeological site took place between 1978 and 1981. Previous studies have uncovered evidence of ancient civilization beneath the mound at the Agroha archaeological site.
In his address, Speaker Sh Gian Chand Gupta emphasized the significance of the initiative towards transforming Agroha into a global city.
He expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal for conducting the survey in this regard. Several organizations representing the Agarwal community had advocated for the excavation of the Agroha mound due to its historical significance.
Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal enthusiastically endorsed the proposal and issued directives for further action.
He underscored Agroha's burgeoning status as a hub of culture and spirituality, drawing thousands of devotees from across India and abroad. The Speaker highlighted the government's ambitious plan to elevate Agroha into a world-class tourism destination.
In addition, he underscored the value of uncovering our illustrious history through the excavation of the Agroha mound.
In his address, Urban Local Bodies Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta said that a plan has been prepared to develop Agroha as a global city within a radius of 25 kilometers.
Agrasen Global City is very important in terms of connectivity, which will emerge as a hub of international-level religious tourism. Its profound archaeological and religious significance, intertwined with its roots in the Harappan culture, renders it a treasure trove of immense tourism potential.
He highlighted that in addition to renowned sites like Rakhigarhi, Banawali, Bhirdana, and Kunal, Hisar, and Agroha will collectively form one of the largest tourism circuits globally, alongside the Indus Saraswati sites. He said that according to historians' beliefs, approximately 5000 years ago, Agroha stood as the illustrious capital of the valiant and revered Maharaja Agrasen, recognized as the pioneer of socialism.
However, over time, natural forces transformed it into the mound it is today. Dr. Kamal Gupta emphasized that within the historical mound lie the enigmatic secrets of India's glorious past.
He recounted that excavation endeavors first commenced during the British era in 1888-89, followed by subsequent efforts in 1938 and again in 1978-79, which will continued for three years.
He said that Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a geophysical technique that discerns the composition of layers beneath the ground surface and identifies any underlying structures.
Dr. Kamal Gupta highlighted plans for the construction of a substantial museum following the excavation, emphasizing its significance as a pivotal historical site from a tourism perspective.
The upcoming phases of its development will include Tourist Welcome Centre, Site Lecture Center and Museum (Mahabharata Panorama), Planetarium – based on astrological time line, Light and Sound – based on Mahabharata and the great King Agrasen, Knowledge Park with meditation center etc. will be constructed.
He lauded the Chief Minister for bestowing a remarkable gift upon society by renaming the Hisar Airport after Maharaja Agrasen. Soon the statue of Maharaja Agrasen will be installed there.
It's worth noting that the state government has initiated the Agroha Development Project with the aim of fostering Agroha's transformation into a global city. Assembly Speaker Sh Gian Chand Gupta serves as the chairman of this project.
Haryana Heritage and Tourism Department Minister Kanwar Pal Gurjar, Urban Local Bodies Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta is the co-chairman of the project.
Principal Secretary of Heritage and Tourism Department MD Sinha, former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Deepak Singhal, National President of All India Agrawal Sammelan Gopal Sharan Garg, Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, Acharya Shri Balkananda and others were also present on this occasion.