Professor Kiran Kumar Thaplyal (b. 1936), after obtaining first class first Master?s degree in Ancient Indian History and Archaeology (1957, Lucknow University), served Archaeological Survey of India (1957-60), and later Lucknow University (1960-96) as Lecturer, Reader, Professor and Head of the Department of Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, Dean, Faculty of Arts, and Emeritus Professor. Epigraphy was one of the subjects he taught to the post-graduate students. He is recipient of several Scholarships, Fellowships, and gold medals including one for the best Ph.D. thesis. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Vikram University, Ujjain, and at Kurukshetra University, a Fellow of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, and a member of Central Advisory Board for Archaeology. He has been honoured with Brahmi award for his contributions to Indology. In 2007, Lucknow University felicitated him for his ?contribution to knowledge and development?. The Numismatic Society of India elected him its General President (2007), and awarded him Altekar Silver Medal (2010). In 2007, his friends and admirers brought out a Felicitation Volume in his honour. He has published more than 100 research papers, and edited Jaina Vidya and Select Battles in Indian History (2 vols.). The books authored by him include Studies in Ancient Indian Seals; Inscriptions of the Maukharis, Later Guptas, Pu?pabh?utis and Yasovarman of Kanauj; Sindhu Sabhyata; Jaina Paintings; Guilds in Ancient India; Coins of Ancient India (jointly); Village and Village Life in Ancient India.
