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Vinay Kumar

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Faculty Member

Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak , India, Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Faculty Member

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Vinay Kumar (b. 1976), Ph. D. MA (Ancient Indian, History, Culture and Archaeology), MA (Archaeology and Heritage Management), Post-Graduate Diploma in Archaeology from Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India. Presently he is working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P. Prior to this he was working as Assistant Professor in the same department at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, M.P.
Dr. Kumar is the recipient of Gold Medal from former Hon’ble President of India for being University topper. Dr. Kumar has also received Junior and Senior Research Fellowship from University Grants Commission.
Earlier, he worked as Consultant and Assistant Archaeologist in Archaeological Survey of India. He has also worked as Research Scholar in Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts (IGNCA) and Indian Archaeological Society. He has participated and supervised many archaeological excavations namely- excavations at Lahuradeva, Bhirrana, Baror, Hansi etc.
He has undertaken many research projects and published many scholarly articles/papers in many renowned National and International journals, seminar proceedings etc.
He is a life member of many National and International committees/societies like Indian Archaeological Society, New Delhi, International Association for Asian Heritage (IAAH), Colombo, Society of South Asian Archaeology (SOSAA), Pune, Museums Association of India (MAI), Indian Art History Congress, Rock Art Society of India, Indian Society for Greek and Roman Studies (ISGARS) etc. He has worked as the executive member of MAI also. Dr. Kumar is well versed in Persian, German, Sanskrit, Oriya, Bangla and Maithili languages.

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Papers by Vinay Kumar

DocScanner Dec 11, 2021 07.

DocScanner Dec 11, 2021 07.

Archaeological Site Museums-An Appraisal

A museum is the device our culture has developed for the transmission of ideas to large number of... more A museum is the device our culture has developed for the transmission of ideas to large number of people through the exhibition of genuine objects. Based upon the nature of collection, museums have been classified as various types. Archaeological site museums are one among them with the aim to concentrate on the history of a particular site based upon the relics found at the site. The concept of site museums is well elucidated by Hargreaves, one of the former Director General of ASI. In his own words " it has been the policy of the Government of India to keep the small and movable antiquities, recovered from the ancient site, in close association with the remains to which they belong, so that they may be studied amid their natural surroundings and not lose focus by being transported " (Markham & Hargreaves, 1936:10). Archaeological Site museums are examined not only as a centre of art and heritage but have stimulated feelings of nationalism as remarked by Markham and Hargreeves. In the words of Sir Mortimer Wheeler " Site museums are an important addition to sites, which are themselves of instructional interest, such as Delhi fort, Sarnath, Nalanda, etc. But a Site museum difficult to access and situated half a mile from a site of which nothing can be seen above ground is almost valueless. The site in question is Kondapur in Andhra Pradesh, where a curator of the Survey has been at some pains to arrange a Site Museum, which few people are ever likely to visit. It is essential that a site be worthy of its site museum " (Banerjee, 1990:23). The site museums are entirely based on archaeological material, these museums are purposely created, so as to retain the archaeological interest that can best be studied in relation and in close proximity to the group, style and architecture of the building or site to which they belong. Thus the basic criterion for justifying a site museum comprises of numerous finds from the site or adjacent sites, excavations or loose architectural or sculptural members, impressive archaeological or structural remains at the adjacent sites, and accessibility of the site and museum to the visitors.

Zoomorphic Painted Motifs on the Chalcolithic Malwa Ware

Foreign Influence on the Terracotta Art of Mauryan Period.pdf

Lion Motif in Mauryan Art: Indigenous or Foreign

There are many art motifs in Mauryan art, which are either West Asiatic or Greek in origin, but t... more There are many art motifs in Mauryan art, which are either West Asiatic or Greek in origin, but they underwent the process of transformation according to Indian taste and ethos. This idea of transformation is best reflected in various lion motifs of Asokan pillars. In Mauryan India they crowned the pillars of piety, dharmastambhas and roared the triumph of Dhamma, i.e. they have become the Dhammaghosakas all over the Mauryan Empire. Undoubtedly it is West Asian in origin, as Coomaraswamy, Ray and Irwin have pointed out, but it underwent great formal changes on the soil of India from the very beginning, as if it was deliberate, pre‐planned and well thought of.

Greco-Roman Elements in the Representation of Jewellery in Gandhara Art

Greco-Roman influence on the narratives of Gandhara Art.pdf

Greco-Roman influence on the Narratives of Gandhara Art.pdf

West Asian and Hellenistic Elements in Indian Art

Rock Cut Cave at Village Khodari, Madhya Pradesh: An Ethno Archaeological Study

by Vinay Kumar and Vishi Upadhyay

The region of Madhya Pradesh is famous for its tribal culture. This is the only part of India hav... more The region of Madhya Pradesh is famous for its tribal culture. This is the only part of India having the consistently tradition of tribal domination from the ancient period to the modern era. Various rock ‐ cut caves are known from the different parts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In Madhya Pradesh the rock shelters in the Vidisha District are partially natural and partially manmade. In the Sarguja District of Chhattisgarh, there is rock ‐ cut cave, named as Sitabengara probably related to the Gupta period. Another cave in Jashpur District was made by Korava tribe of this region under the supervision of Gaharaguru and now being used by tribal community of this area. The present paper attempts to document on the basis of exploration by the first author the rock cut cave, locally called as Sitamarhi Cave at Khodari village in Madhya Pradesh. The architecture of the cave and other relevant findings in surrounding area have shown the relationship of this cave from medieval period to modern tribal culture. But mostly data are too susceptible and a deeper study is required for understanding the actual use and periodization of this cave.

Cover image: View of the domes of Jama Masjid, Lucknow (courtesy: Aprajita Sharma) Inner cover im... more Cover image: View of the domes of Jama Masjid, Lucknow (courtesy: Aprajita Sharma) Inner cover image (History and Archaeology): Jharna, Mehrauli, Delhi (source: RICAS) Inner cover image (Museums): British Museum, U.K. (courtesy: 52 coins of Prasannamātra of Śarabhpuriya and coins of Kalachuris. They upgrade the artistic value of coins of Dakśiṇa Kosala. The devices of these coins have shown a variety which gives an additional charm to numismatic history of this region and this fact is clear that coins devices, sealing and sculptures consist the parallel art, especially in Kalachuri period.

“Preservation of Tribal Culture and Tradition: An Appraisal

The Tribal Tribune (Vol-6 Issue-3)_Published.pdf

West Asian and Hellenistic Influence on Mauryan Pillars: Discussion

West Asian and Hellenistic Influence on Mauryan Pillars: Discussion

West Asian Influence on Lion Motifs in Mauryan Art

Cover image: Ram Avatar, Rani-Ki-Vav, Gujarat (courtesy: Rajalakshmi Karakulam Inner Cover image ... more Cover image: Ram Avatar, Rani-Ki-Vav, Gujarat (courtesy: Rajalakshmi Karakulam Inner Cover image (History and Archaeology): Excavation at Purana Qila, Delhi (courtesy: Aprajita Sharma) Inner Cover image (Conservation of Cultural Heritage): Central Pillar of Diwan-i-khas, Fatehpur Sikri (Courtesy: Gurpreet Singh) Inner Cover image (Heritage and Culture): Sculpture on Pillar, Sun Temple of Modhera, Gujarat (courtesy: Rajalakshmi Karakulam)

Megalithic Cultural tradition amongst the Khasi and Jaintia tribes of North- East India

Archaeological Site Museums-An Appraisal

Book Reviews by Vinay Kumar

Book Review0001.pdf

DocScanner Dec 11, 2021 07.

DocScanner Dec 11, 2021 07.

Archaeological Site Museums-An Appraisal

A museum is the device our culture has developed for the transmission of ideas to large number of... more A museum is the device our culture has developed for the transmission of ideas to large number of people through the exhibition of genuine objects. Based upon the nature of collection, museums have been classified as various types. Archaeological site museums are one among them with the aim to concentrate on the history of a particular site based upon the relics found at the site. The concept of site museums is well elucidated by Hargreaves, one of the former Director General of ASI. In his own words " it has been the policy of the Government of India to keep the small and movable antiquities, recovered from the ancient site, in close association with the remains to which they belong, so that they may be studied amid their natural surroundings and not lose focus by being transported " (Markham & Hargreaves, 1936:10). Archaeological Site museums are examined not only as a centre of art and heritage but have stimulated feelings of nationalism as remarked by Markham and Hargreeves. In the words of Sir Mortimer Wheeler " Site museums are an important addition to sites, which are themselves of instructional interest, such as Delhi fort, Sarnath, Nalanda, etc. But a Site museum difficult to access and situated half a mile from a site of which nothing can be seen above ground is almost valueless. The site in question is Kondapur in Andhra Pradesh, where a curator of the Survey has been at some pains to arrange a Site Museum, which few people are ever likely to visit. It is essential that a site be worthy of its site museum " (Banerjee, 1990:23). The site museums are entirely based on archaeological material, these museums are purposely created, so as to retain the archaeological interest that can best be studied in relation and in close proximity to the group, style and architecture of the building or site to which they belong. Thus the basic criterion for justifying a site museum comprises of numerous finds from the site or adjacent sites, excavations or loose architectural or sculptural members, impressive archaeological or structural remains at the adjacent sites, and accessibility of the site and museum to the visitors.

Zoomorphic Painted Motifs on the Chalcolithic Malwa Ware

Foreign Influence on the Terracotta Art of Mauryan Period.pdf

Lion Motif in Mauryan Art: Indigenous or Foreign

There are many art motifs in Mauryan art, which are either West Asiatic or Greek in origin, but t... more There are many art motifs in Mauryan art, which are either West Asiatic or Greek in origin, but they underwent the process of transformation according to Indian taste and ethos. This idea of transformation is best reflected in various lion motifs of Asokan pillars. In Mauryan India they crowned the pillars of piety, dharmastambhas and roared the triumph of Dhamma, i.e. they have become the Dhammaghosakas all over the Mauryan Empire. Undoubtedly it is West Asian in origin, as Coomaraswamy, Ray and Irwin have pointed out, but it underwent great formal changes on the soil of India from the very beginning, as if it was deliberate, pre‐planned and well thought of.

Greco-Roman Elements in the Representation of Jewellery in Gandhara Art

Greco-Roman influence on the narratives of Gandhara Art.pdf

Greco-Roman influence on the Narratives of Gandhara Art.pdf

West Asian and Hellenistic Elements in Indian Art

Rock Cut Cave at Village Khodari, Madhya Pradesh: An Ethno Archaeological Study

by Vinay Kumar and Vishi Upadhyay

The region of Madhya Pradesh is famous for its tribal culture. This is the only part of India hav... more The region of Madhya Pradesh is famous for its tribal culture. This is the only part of India having the consistently tradition of tribal domination from the ancient period to the modern era. Various rock ‐ cut caves are known from the different parts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. In Madhya Pradesh the rock shelters in the Vidisha District are partially natural and partially manmade. In the Sarguja District of Chhattisgarh, there is rock ‐ cut cave, named as Sitabengara probably related to the Gupta period. Another cave in Jashpur District was made by Korava tribe of this region under the supervision of Gaharaguru and now being used by tribal community of this area. The present paper attempts to document on the basis of exploration by the first author the rock cut cave, locally called as Sitamarhi Cave at Khodari village in Madhya Pradesh. The architecture of the cave and other relevant findings in surrounding area have shown the relationship of this cave from medieval period to modern tribal culture. But mostly data are too susceptible and a deeper study is required for understanding the actual use and periodization of this cave.

Cover image: View of the domes of Jama Masjid, Lucknow (courtesy: Aprajita Sharma) Inner cover im... more Cover image: View of the domes of Jama Masjid, Lucknow (courtesy: Aprajita Sharma) Inner cover image (History and Archaeology): Jharna, Mehrauli, Delhi (source: RICAS) Inner cover image (Museums): British Museum, U.K. (courtesy: 52 coins of Prasannamātra of Śarabhpuriya and coins of Kalachuris. They upgrade the artistic value of coins of Dakśiṇa Kosala. The devices of these coins have shown a variety which gives an additional charm to numismatic history of this region and this fact is clear that coins devices, sealing and sculptures consist the parallel art, especially in Kalachuri period.

“Preservation of Tribal Culture and Tradition: An Appraisal

The Tribal Tribune (Vol-6 Issue-3)_Published.pdf

West Asian and Hellenistic Influence on Mauryan Pillars: Discussion

West Asian and Hellenistic Influence on Mauryan Pillars: Discussion

West Asian Influence on Lion Motifs in Mauryan Art

Cover image: Ram Avatar, Rani-Ki-Vav, Gujarat (courtesy: Rajalakshmi Karakulam Inner Cover image ... more Cover image: Ram Avatar, Rani-Ki-Vav, Gujarat (courtesy: Rajalakshmi Karakulam Inner Cover image (History and Archaeology): Excavation at Purana Qila, Delhi (courtesy: Aprajita Sharma) Inner Cover image (Conservation of Cultural Heritage): Central Pillar of Diwan-i-khas, Fatehpur Sikri (Courtesy: Gurpreet Singh) Inner Cover image (Heritage and Culture): Sculpture on Pillar, Sun Temple of Modhera, Gujarat (courtesy: Rajalakshmi Karakulam)

Megalithic Cultural tradition amongst the Khasi and Jaintia tribes of North- East India

Archaeological Site Museums-An Appraisal

Book Review0001.pdf

West Asian and hellenistic Elements in Indian Art

Mani-Sushma.pdf

Early Harappan Culture of Kot Diji Sothi Complex

Indian Art Archaeology and Culture