Barabati Fort - The Windsor Castle of Odisha

Journal of Bengal Art, The International Centre for the Study of Bengal Art, Dhaka. Vol 19: 2014 , 2014

The 'Bhairavi temple' at Bindol near Raigunj, the headquarters of the district of North Dinajpur in West Bengal, is architecturally unique. Though a few scholars have noted its importance, it is yet to be studied in detail. Similarly, the Hussain Shahi 'mosque' at Kulut in the Barddhaman district of West Bengal has also not been given the attention it deserves, so far. This article presents the findings of a few field trips to both these monuments which show their structural affinities and thus, question their long-established identities.

2011

Note - The present article was delivered as the main address in the 2nd Session of University Grants Commission sponsored National Level Seminar on Political and Cultural Aspects of Medieval India organized by the Department of History, Taxila Mahavidyalaya (under Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University), Amravati on 4th February, 2011. The topic that I had chosen for the address was my forays in archaeologically and historically rich region of Vasai (Taluka - Vasai, District - Thane, Maharashtra) and studies which I was trying to initiate in the domain of Archaeology of European Expansion/Colonial Archaeology in the respect of North Konkan. The paper was the result of my successive fieldworks in Vasai Fort and surrounding area and in the initial stages, I had outlined general features of the history, art and architecture of this robust fort. The Archaeology of European Expansion/Colonial Archaeology is a branch of archaeology devoted for scientific investigations of the period of European’s arrival (from 15th century onwards) and their subsequent spread in India. In Indian scenario, this fascinating branch is still in embryonic stage and by taking a case study of the Portuguese colonial settlement at Vasai Fort, Taluka - Vasai, District - Thane (Bacaim in Portuguese, Bassein in English); I had attempted at very modest level scientific investigations in this domain. Besides presenting factual data in the second part of the article, in very simple language, a brief conceptual discussion on the term, aims, goal and scopes of the Archaeology of European Expansion/Colonial Archaeology alongside its applicability in the Indian context was discussed in the first section of the article. It was stressed that the holistic synthesis of material records and texts is a pre-requisite to have a logical and realistic understanding of the Medieval and late Medieval India. The article is re-produced here as it was written by me in the year 2010 without doing any changes at the time of its uploading on Academia.edu; though at present much larger factual data is available with me for the same monument. Perhaps, the intrinsic belief to judge my own gradual development of understanding for the monument is driving me for doing it and which I think, I should honestly welcome. If anybody wants to refer this article then necessary citations may be given.

Adharam A Journal for Kerala Archaeology and History, 2006

There references, in the Madras copper plate of Pandya king Nedunjadaiyan and Tiruvalangad copper plates of Chola king Rajendra to a fort constructed by the Ay rulers at their capital city of Vizhinjam. The remains of this fort was uncovered in the explorations conducted at Vizhinjam. This article covers the history and the discovery of its remains at Vizhinjam

Journal of History and Archaeology, , 2017

Archaeological explorations and excavations carried out in recent years in Odisha have yielded significant information on the Early Historic sites and urbanization in Odisha. Cities and towns were emerged around 600 BCE in Odisha. There was, indeed , a network among the cities and towns those performed role in central administration and regional sub-centers under a political domain suggestively the Kalinga Janapada. The present paper offers a discussion on the Early Historic urbanisation in Odisha with reference to newly discovered site Lathi. Several scholars have carried out studies on the emergence of Early Historic urbanization in India studies were based on archaeological sources and mainly confined to North India and Northwest India. Growth of towns and cities was one of the major characters of the Early Historic urbanization. By the middle of 1st millennium BC towns and cities grew up due to multiple factors, and some of the factors are identified as results of previous settlement history/cultural background and of course the natural recourses. The Early Historic development in Odisha, unlike in the North and Northwestern India, is yet to be studied and surveyed in a holistic manner. However, in recent years several archaeological excavations and explorations were carried out in Odisha (IAR excavations have generated much significant data on the process of Early Historic urban development or in other words have, yielded significant archaeological information on the growth of Early Historic towns and cities in Odisha chronologically contemporary to the Gangetic Valley.

In excavations conducted at Kumbla fort by the author and his team a palace complex some interesting antiquities were uncovered and the finds are discussed in this paper. The antiquities and fort date to the period of Bednur Nayakas (17th century CE)

2024

This research paper gives a deep exploration of the late mediaeval forts in the Deccan region of India, focusing on the relationship of the forts with war, politics, and architectural innovation. The Deccan, is famous for its strategic significance, varied culture and diverse landscape, witnessed the construction of various forts during the period between 14 th to 17 th centuries. These forts serve as tangible testaments to the interplay between military extremity and political ambitions. These forts were the measure of a monarch's strength, they were alive and echoing to the sounds and signals of some of the great dynasties and ruthless succession battles. The study delves into the political dynamics of the Deccan Sultanates, exploring how these forts were instrumental in proclaiming sovereignty, negotiating power balance, and projecting political authority, The architecture of these forts reflects not only the military inventiveness of the time but also the cultural and artistic influences that shaped their design. Through a synthesis of historical accounts, architectural analysis and site specific case studies, selected fort Naldurga in Osmanabad district, Maharashtra. This paper demonstrates how the late medieval forts in the Deccan embody the complex nexus of war and politics, while contributing significantly to the architectural heritage of the region. Understanding this historical and architectural legacy provides valuable insights into the strategic thinking of rulers and the evolving socio-political landscape of medieval India. This research will contribute to a richer appreciation of the Deccans historical significance and the enduring impact of these forts on the political identity of the region.

The Muslim World Book Review, 2021

Walnut Publication, 2020

This edited book entitled "Recent Developments in Historical and Archaeological Researches in Odisha", incorporating seventeen essays on Odisha’s past from prehistory to the modern period. All the seventeen essays are original research papers based on primary and secondary data. These essays are arranged in chronological order and focused on different aspects of Odisha in time and space i.e. prehistoric, protohistoric and early historic archaeology of Odisha, Epigraphic studies, the political and economic history of the ancient and medieval period, temple architecture, modern and contemporary history, and tribal studies.