From The Hindu, January 24, 1975: All-India institute of epigraphy

Dharwar, Jan. 23: The need for the establishment of an all-India institute of epigraphy was stressed here yesterday by the Union Minister of State for Law and Company Affairs, Dr Sarojini Mahishi.

Inaugurating the first annual Congress of the Epigraphical Society of India the Minister said the establishment of a co-ordinating body to undertake a thorough survey of all inscriptions in the country before they are damaged or lost was necessary since the reconstruction of Indian history could not be made without a scientific study of all inscriptions by competent scholars. She also recalled the contribution made by the epigraphy branch of the Archaeological Survey of India and certain State departments and universities towards the advancement of epigraphical research.