The book examines the beginnings and the current status of archaeology in Indian universities, throwing light on the types of students who were drawn to archaeology in the early phase. The author, Dilip K. Chakrabarti, bases the volume on his personal background and professional experience as an archaeologist-scholar and as a teacher in the universities where he served. The book offers a detailed review of the development of various ideas, research themes and field projects in Indian archaeology over the last five decades. The author throws fascinating light on a number of archaeological concerns, history of Indian archaeology and use of metals, trade routes of the historic periods, European expansion in India, and other themes. He focuses on the various regions of India and showcases important developments in Indian archaeology over the years.