Want a Million Dollars? Get Busy Deciphering This Ancient Script.
Briefly

For over a century, the ancient Indus Valley script has posed a significant challenge to scholars. Recently, a $1 million prize was announced by Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to encourage efforts to decipher this script, which is crucial for understanding the language, culture, and religion of the civilization that thrived 5,000 years ago in modern India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The endeavor highlights ongoing cultural tensions in India, particularly between Hindu nationalists who view the Aryans as the original inhabitants and those who argue for the indigenous Dravidian populations.
The ancient Indus Valley script remains undeciphered, and a $1 million prize has been announced to incentivize scholars to unlock its secrets.
The cultural implications of deciphering the Indus script are profound, as it plays a central role in India’s current ideological battles over historical narratives.
This initiative is not just about deciphering an ancient script but represents a clash over cultural identity, with Hindu nationalists and Dravidian supporters at odds.
Mr. Stalin's announcement is part of a broader effort to renew focus on India’s diverse historical roots, amidst ongoing debates over who represents the true Indian heritage.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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