In 2006 he was awarded India's third highest civilian award Padma Bhushan which ranked below Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan for his contribution in the field of Ancient India history
In 2006, he earned the third-highest civilian honor in India, Padma Bhushan, which was ranked below Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, for his expertise in Ancient Indian history.