LUCKNOW: His passion for archaeology is deeper than any excavation he has undertaken. So much so, that giving up regular school is something he does not regret. And why should he? At the age of 17, Arsh Ali is taking lectures in the field he loves, and people older than him are listening!Arsh has visited more than nine excavation and exploration sites with senior archaeologists of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).In his quest for knowledge, Arsh has quit regular schooling at City Montessori School after class X and enrolled in open school so that he can pursue his passion without any binding.Arsh’s knowledge of archaeology has been acknowledged by the vice-chancellor of Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune.Arsh is pursuing research under the guidance of the faculty and experts from various institutes.“I was fascinated by history and archaeology since childhood and use to read extensively. At the age of 13, during a visit to Imambara, I was telling my mother about the monument’s history which a tourist overheard. He asked my mother to meet officials at ASI office to guide me on how to make a career in the field,” says Arsh.“After talking to me, the ASI officials sent me to Delhi with a recommendation where I met senior officials. I was then given permission to accompany ASI archaeologists on their excavation trips,” he adds.Arsh has visited the excavation sites at Sinauli and Barnawa in Baghpat, Purana Qila in New Delhi, Buddhist sites Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, Satdhara in Himachal Pradesh, Sonari in Assam, Harappan site named 4MSR near Binjor village in Rajasthan, all under ASI, Rakhigarhi , the largest Harappan site in Haryana under Deccan College and Goalpara district under directorate of archaeology, Assam.National Museum, New Delhi recently organised a lecture by Arsh and will publish his research work in its journal ‘Puratattva’. He is working on experimental approach to ancient Egyptian cuisine , mummification, links between Egypt and India and evidence of Egyptian Buddhism.

Stay updated with all the Lucknow Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.