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The Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology at Banaras Hindu University has opened a week-long, hands-on workshop on Ancient Indian coins framed within Indian Knowledge Systems. Running through April 22, the event links practical training with new scientific methods and marks the centenary of noted historian and numismatist A. K. Narain.
Why this matters now
Coins are not just monetary instruments; they are compact records of trade, technology and cultural exchange. As researchers apply laboratory techniques and interdisciplinary frameworks to numismatic material, the field is revealing fresh lines of evidence about economic networks and statecraft in South Asia—making initiatives like this workshop timely for historians, conservators and museums.
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BHU numismatics workshop starts today: weeklong coin study and preservation training
Program and opening highlights
Faculty and visiting specialists set the tone on the first day, pairing scholarly overview with concrete demonstrations. Organizers stressed training that moves beyond classroom lectures to hands-on work with coins and documentation tools.
Prof. M. P. Ahirwar, head of the department, welcomed participants and framed the workshop as part of a series of events honoring Prof. A. K. Narain. Convener Prof. Meenakshi Singh outlined the programme’s aim to bridge practical skills and cross-disciplinary study.
Speakers and key contributions
Senior figures from academic, institutional and curatorial backgrounds sketched the evolving landscape of coin research. Several addresses underlined a shift toward scientific analysis and broader public engagement.
| Speaker | Affiliation | Focus of presentation |
|---|---|---|
| Amiteshwar Jha | Former Director, IIRNS, Nashik | Development of numismatic studies; integration of scientific and interdisciplinary methods |
| Manish Verma | Curator, Hinduja Foundation | Collection management and conservation (34,000+ coins); documentation and public access |
| P. N. Singh | Chairman, Numismatic Society of India | Role of learned societies in supporting research and institutional partnerships |
| Kamal Sheel | Former Rector, Banaras Hindu University | Strengthening practical methods in historical study |
The workshop is chaired by Prof. Sushma Ghildyal, dean of the Faculty of Arts, and has drawn participants from across India for a mix of lectures and supervised practice.
What attendees will gain
- Hands-on experience in coin handling, cataloguing and photographic documentation
- Exposure to laboratory techniques used in material analysis and minting technology
- Discussion of conservation methods and strategies for public engagement
- Networking with curators, academics and members of the Numismatic Society
Alongside seminars, the workshop features an exhibition organized with the Uttar Pradesh State Archaeology Department. The display includes photographic panels and selected material that contextualize coin finds within broader archaeological narratives.
Organizers say the combination of practical training, curatorial insight and scientific approaches aims to expand how numismatics contributes to reconstructing India’s past—not merely as notation of chronology but as evidence about technology, economy and cultural contact.
