Vernacularizing Knowledge in Pakistan Archaeological Literature in the Punjabi Language

Abstract

This article explores the vernacularization of archaeology through writings in local languages in Pakistan. Two books written by Dr. Saifur Rahman Dar, a veteran Pakistani archaeologist and historian, in Punjabi make the archaeology of Taxila and Harappa accessible to lay persons. The books have been placed in the framework of vernacularization of archaeology. Qualitative methods with context analysis have been used in the study. Brief summaries of the books have been given followed by an analysis which shows the accessibility of the works to lay person. The socio-cultural and political situations in which such kind of literature used to be produced during the late twentieth century Pakistan have also been pointed out.