Authentic history crucial to counter modern narratives, authoritarianism, says Palanivel Thiaga Rajan

Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan emphasised that we were at a critical juncture where studying history was essential to prevent it from being obscured by fabricated narratives and personal versions of the truth. 

Speaking at a national conference on the ‘Culture and Traditions of The Pandya Country: Gleaned from Archaeological Implications’ at Fatima College here, he observed that we were living in a strange era where the foundational structures of republicanism and democratic political culture are deteriorating globally.  

He warned against disruptors who promised to revolutionise governance but ultimately proved to be poor administrators, leaving a trail of institutional destruction in their wake. 

The disruptions are often rooted in authoritarianism, which relies on two core strategies – suppressing independent thought and cultivating uninformed citizenry that is easily manipulated, he noted.  

In this climate, the Minister asserted that a multidimensional study of history is more vital than ever. He cautioned that if society remained unaware of its past and allowed itself to be misled by modern reinventions of truth designed to fit specific agendas, it would face a profound and lasting damage. 

He highlighted that the Tamil Nadu government’s significant funding over the past five years had yielded ground-breaking archaeological discoveries.  

These findings have shifted the historical narrative from legend to proven science like advanced urban planning, industrial and economic sophistication. 

“Excavations have unearthed evidence of sophisticated urban settlements dating back to the 6th century BCE. These sites reveal highly developed civic infrastructure, including shared resources such as advanced communal wells and water tanks, and structured systems for public resource management,” he said.

He detailed specific evidence from sites like Keeladi that proved the existence of an organised, industrious society 2,500 years ago where pottery shards featuring inscriptions dating back two and a half millennia were found.  

Also, evidence of ancient factories and workshops dedicated to specialised crafts such as dyeing, weaving, and bead-making, archaeobotanical remains that confirm a dual-economic system rooted in both advanced agriculture and pastoralism was found through the efforts, he pointed out.  

He noted that while the history of the Pandya dynasty was previously reconstructed solely through early Sangam literature, the recent excavations have transcended these texts.  

The physical evidence now reveals a Tamil history that is far more expansive, complex, and culturally rich than previously understood, presenting a scientifically backed heritage to the global stage. 

To ensure these archaeological findings reach a global audience, the government had invested heavily in establishing world-class museums in locations like Keeladi and Porunai, he said.  

He also noted that under his leadership at the IT department, the Tamil Virtual Academy has taken on a vital role in preserving Tamil heritage.  

While the academy previously focused primarily on digitising books, periodicals and poetry, it has recently expanded its archives to include maps, multimedia content, videos, and various digital artifacts. This broadening of scope has led to a dramatic increase in public engagement, with the platform’s usership growing from 1.5 crore to approximately 17.5 crore visits, he said.

Fatima College Principal M. Fatima Mary delivered the inaugural address and Head and Assistant Professor of History J. Saral Evangelin welcomed the gathering.