The project aims to develop a world class museum and research centre based on the Indus Valley Civilisation in India that will for the first time capture the story of the largest first civilisation in human history. Visualised as a museum that will recreate life as it was 5,000 years ago in the Indus cities of Dholavira, Harappa and Mohenjo-daro and smaller towns of Lothal, Surkotada and Kalibangan, the idea for this came out of a general consensus at the First Indus Summit in New Delhi in January 2005.

The project, funded by GHF, was first given to Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU), Vadodara, in 2005 but it fell through last year. “The reason was land problem. A project of this magnitude requires huge space,” said Prof Kuldeep Bhan, head of the department of archeology and ancient history, MSU.

“We have been given to understand that they are keen on Deccan College for the project. We are keen too and talks are on but nothing is confirmed yet. However, a visit by the head of GHF to the campus is in the offing next month,” said Dr Vasant Shinde, joint director, Deccan College. He admitted though that as of now the Deccan College seemed to be the forerunner for the project. Shinde said unlike MSU, land will not be an issue here as there is ample space on college premises.