India, March 10 -- VARANASI The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi, has officially acknowledged that the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath was first brought to light in the late 18th century by Babu Jagat Singh, a descendant of the Banaras royal family. This landmark decision formally corrects colonial-era records that attributed the initial discovery to British archaeologists.

Following an extensive review of authentic documents and primary historical evidence, the ASI sanctioned the change. In accordance with this official recognition, a revised inscription plaque has been installed at the Sarnath site to reflect the updated historical narrative, said Pradeep Narayan Singh, sixth-generation descendant of Babu Jagat Singh an...