Memorial Pillar in Brahmanical Context: An Analytical Study

Puravritta

Journal of the Department of Archaeology, Archaive and Museum, Bhopal, 2012

History and Sociology of South Asia, 2023

This study seeks to look at the origin and evolution of the practice of erecting memorial stones in the region of Rajasthan, India, during the early medieval period (600–1300 CE). It is observed that the idea of erecting such memorials, which is associated with the Rajputs particularly, became a widely accepted social practice among other sections of the society. This study attempts to analyse the content and subject matter of these stones and investigates why they were erected, for whom they were erected, who commissioned them, and how the family of the deceased viewed such memorials erected primarily to commemorate the dead. In fact, their erection was no less a grand affair; the people who commissioned the building of memorials paid homage and reverence to their dead ancestors and worshipped them according to their own socio-religious practices.

In a course of my Explorations and Monument specific Field Visits in the Konkan, especially in the North Konkan over the years, I had chances to visit, revisit and also to report relatively forgotten Sites and Monuments of the Early and Late Medieval period. Few of them have already achieved the status of Regional and National attention and importance (ex. Memorial Stones at Eksar and Shiv Temple at Ambarnath) while the rest exist in a state of constant danger of extinction. After your first visit, there is no any assurance of finding them safe and intact in the next visit. It is this level of painful uncertainty of their secured existence which prompted me to write this Article, which contains the up-to-date Documentation as well as the modest analysis with all my shortcomings in reading them. In this two-part Article, I have tried to discuss all those Artifacts, Sites and Monuments of the Shilahara and Yadava period which unfortunately could not come up satisfactorily on the Protectionist Framework of our Society and also on the present unfair criteria of Selective Protectionism. The first part of Article deals with the Memorial Stones of former undivided Thane District and the second part will deal with the remains of Temple and minor Artifacts. I do not claim any exclusive expertise in the domain of Memorial Stones and Temple Architecture Studies of the Early and Late Medieval period but it is through my Field Observations and the very general study of the period in question that I have attempted to present my reading of them. During my tenure in Archaeological Survey of India, Mumbai Circle, I was able to see and study the beautiful group of Memorial Stones at Velapur and Mahalung in the present Solapur District and was awestruck by them. When for the first time I visited the Memorial Stones at Eksar, I was disheartened after seeing the extensive damage suffered by the Site over the years after Independence and our general negligence to assure the modest safe atmosphere to such precious Monument of our Cultured existence and History. The feeling of dispirit on visiting many such Unprotected Sites and Monuments in the North Konkan was really harrowing but, at least, this situation of incertitude had pushed me to take extensive Field Work in the Region to document them in the first level and to explore all possible Protectionist measures in the second level. Though I am unable to get the desired level of success for the second aspect, I am partly and leastwise happy to cover the satisfactory portion of the first aspect-the Documentation which came in my Individual capacity and reach. But this part of joy would never be completed unless we can ensure the protection of these priceless objects of our History, Culture and Civilization. While discussing about the probable chronology of Memorial Stones in the Region, I have completely focused on the category of Memorial Stones only even though there was an option to use the available remains of large Stone Grants, commonly called now days as the Ass-Curse Stones for the comparative analysis. My Friends, who accompanied me in the long and arduous Field Works in the North Konkan, especially to document the Memorial Stones-Sagar, Govind, Rupesh, Manoj and many others-I express my sincere thanks to them. Dr. Rupali Mokashi was kind enough to send me the links of her Online Articles and her learned opinion during our brief talks but I think the extensive discussions would have helped better. Thanks are due to the British Library, London for hosting the precious painting of Hero Stones at Eksar. I am thankful to the Authorities and Staff in Archaeological Survey of India and Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra for their time to time assistance and cooperation. I hope for the same from everyone with a keen interest in the Archaeological and Historical Studies of North Konkan and wish that may this exchange of opinions and thoughts continue to prepare and build up a coherent understanding of Historical Development and Social Process in the Region. I again state that responsibility of any inadvertent errors noticed in the Article solely lies with me and if anyone wishes to refer this Article and Photographs then necessary citations may please be given.

INAC, 2022

The Pillars and Mandapa of the Hindu Mandir BOOK

Journal of the Centre for Heritage Studies

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Facts and opinions published herein are solely personal statements made by the respective authors. Authors are responsible for the contents of their research papers including the accuracy of facts and statements and citations of resources. Centre for Heritage Studies, University of Kelaniya and its editorial committee disclaim any liability for violations of other parties' rights, or any damages incurred as a consequence of the research published herein.

History of Religions, 2019

Routledge Handbook of Hindu Temples

This handbook is a comprehensive study of the archaeology, social history and the cultural landscape of the Hindu temple. Perhaps the most recognizable of the material forms of Hinduism, temples are lived, dynamic spaces. They are significant sites for the creation of cultural heritage, both in the past and in the present. Drawing on historiographical surveys and in-depth case studies, the volume centres the material form of the Hindu temple as an entry point to study its many adaptations and transformations from the early centuries ce to the 20th century. It highlights the vibrancy and dynamism of the shrine in different locales and studies the active participation of the community for its establishment, maintenance and survival. The illustrated handbook takes a unique approach by focusing on the social base of the temple rather than its aesthetics or chronological linear development. It fills a significant gap in the study of Hinduism and will be an indispensable resource for scholars of archaeology, Hinduism, Indian history, religious studies, museum studies, South Asian history and Southeast Asian history.

INAC, 2022

Pillars of Hindu temples- Complete Compendium...A to Z

International Review of Social Research, 2019

The advent of Buddhism in India is usually dated back to 6th century BCE. Siddhartha Goutama, a Sakya Prince left for quest of truth and reality of life. He was showered with the divine light of enlightenment, then, instead of keeping it to himself, Gautama preferred to enlighten others. The teachings preached and propounded by Gautama Buddha were warmly accepted by a large number of people and emerged as a new school of thought i.e. Buddhism which later turned into a major religion of the world and the Buddhist remains discovered through archaeological investigations help us to reconstruct our past. (Chakrabarti, 2006: 315) It is a well known fact that various the kings of different kingdoms like Magadha, Vaisali, the Sakayas, the Bullis, the Koliyas, the Mallas, the Moriyas and Kalinga (Ancient Odisha) sought for the relics of the Buddha after the parinirvana. (Kern, 1989: 46) The emperors, kings, traders and commoners extended patronage and built monuments, kept relics, offered gifts to pay ovation to the Master Teacher. This historical phenomenon is known from various forms of Buddhist monuments built across India. Odisha, a geographical orbit of South Eastern India, is fortunate to have received a good deal of Buddhist monuments and relics. This paper is intended to present an account of different forms of Buddhist monuments that have been discovered so far, such as Stupas, Chaitys, Monasteries under the possible patronage of Buddhism in this part of India from third century BCE to sixth-seventh century CE.