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Latest Articles :- Vol: (3) (2) (2023)

Study of Vanished South Asian Board Game ‘Nyout’

BY:Akash Daulatrao Gedam and Mohini Pundlikrao Gajbhiye

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.173-177

Received:06 July 2023, Revised:17 August 2023, Accepted:25 August 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

In Chandrapur district, Maharashtra, India the site is located in the west of small village Erva-Jhari (N20’38’53, E79’35’23) at the foot hills of Waghai hills, where engraving (circle and cross) of Korean game ‘Nyout’ has be found. Some archaeologist gathered information about this rock petroglyph, but they all suggested that this may be the cup-marks or KALCHAKRA. While doing the study of “Mancala” game in Bhivkund caves at Kuhi-Taluka, Nagpur also looking at the rock painting at Waghai hill and Navtala village and found the secret over there. Erva-Jhari where the rock engravings, found circular arranged cup marks and in between is the plus (+) sign mark cupules. From these evidences assumed that this may be a game in ancient time for entertainment to pass time. And in further studies, found that this game is similar to the Korean game “Nyout”. That was probably already played 1000 BC. There are references to a game from the 3rd century AD and might be very popular in Korea. From all these evidences, came to a firm conclusion that this is an ancient game played in Korea. And still today it is used as then, for divinations on religious festivals. The present paper discusses about the evidences found related with this game in Erva-Jhari, South-Central India. This Korean race game is also found in the archaeology of the ancient Kyodo city in Japan and the ancient Mayans of Central America and Mexico.

Keywords: Board Game, Circle and Cross, Kyodo, Mancala, Mayan, Nyout.

Gedam, A.D., & Gajbhiye, M.P. 2023. Study of Vanished South Asian Board Game ‘Nyout’. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 173-177.

Early Historic Costumes of Bangladesh Depicted on the Stone Sculptures and Coins

BY:Ananna Zulfiqar Showly

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.179-196

Received:16 July 2023, Revised:19 August 2023, Accepted:29 August 2023, Publication:30 December 2024,

The styles and designs of early historic costumes being interesting and important topics for studying the history of that time, got little attention to the scholars. This work is an attempt to give a clear picture of the early historic costumes of Bangladesh depicted on the stone sculptures and coins of Bengal as well as to get some hints of the dress and how people wore them. Through a vast literature review and careful study of the sculpture and coins, it was found that Dhuti and Sari were the most used costumes for male and female of Early Historic Bangladesh. Upper garments were not that much popular for both male and female and not much variation was found in lower garments. We can see some similarities between the dressing pattern of Bengal and some other regions of India. Besides the depiction of Royal figures on coins, foreign influence can be noticed easily.

Keywords: Costume, Sculpture, Early History, Iconography, Terracotta Plaques.

Showly, A.Z. 2023. Early Historic Costumes of Bangladesh Depicted on the Stone Sculptures and Coins. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 179-196.

The Origin and Development of Buddhist Monasteries in India: A Historical Perspective

BY:Ankush Gupta

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.197-201

Received:02 August 2023, Revised:10 September 2023, Accepted:16 September 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

This research paper explores the origin and development of monasteries in India, shedding light on their historical significance. Monasteries have played a vital role in shaping the religious landscape of India, particularly in Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. By examining ancient texts, archaeological evidence, and religious traditions, this study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the origin of monasteries in India.

Keywords: Monastery, Vihara, Varsha-arama, Sangha-arama and Avasa

Gupta, A. 2023. The Origin and Development of Buddhist Monasteries in India: A Historical Perspective. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 197-201.

Locating the Hermitage of Medhas Ṛṣi in the Multi Religio-Cultural Backdrop of Early Bengal: Analyzing the Primary Sources Adopting a Geo-Historical Approach

BY:Gourav Debnath

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.203-211

Received:09 August 2023, Revised:20 September 2023, Accepted:24 September 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

Bengal was the home for many religions and cultural groups since the early centuries. From Niharranjan Ray and Suniti Kumar Chattopadhyay to Mamtajur Rahman Tarafdar, Richard Maxwell Eaton and Abdul Momin Chowdhury, all have agreed on the preponderance of multi-religious and multi-cultural legacy in Bengal. In the case of the Brahmanical deva-devīs, the different geo - political unis of Bengal yielded archaeological and textual evidences of diverse cult practices which include Vaiṣṇava, Śaiva, Saura, Śākta and other miscellaneous groups. The efflorescence of these ethos, the coexistence of such diversities, have found expression in this region’s art, language, culture, religious beliefs and daily practices. By explaining all these above factors, the paper will seek to historically locate the hermitage of Medhas Ṛṣimentioned in the Devī Māhātmyathrough a thorough analysis of primary sources with the aid of satellite imagery.

Keywords: Bardhaman, Devī Bhāgavata, ISRO, MārkaṇḍeyaPurāṇa, Medhas Ṛṣi, Surath Rājā, Vaiśya Samādhi,

Debnath, G. 2023. Locating the Hermitage of Medhas Rsi in the Multi Religio-Cultural Backdrop of Early Bengal: Analyzing the Primary Sources Adopting a Geo-Historical Appraoch. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 203-211.

Eco-friendly Concepts in Architectural Features of Cave Monasteries

BY:H. H. A. Karunarathna

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.213-223

Received:30 August 2023, Revised:06 October 2023, Accepted:15 October 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

Considering the internal geographical spread of the country, it is possible to confirm how the country's governance system functioned according to regional divisions in different periods. The aforementioned border determinants had an impact on the structural formation of this nation's social, cultural, political, economic, and religious cultures at the time that the primary divisions of Ruhunu, Maya, and Pihiti were in place. Along with the patterns of settlement expansion that occur in accordance with the allocation of control power's priorities, the structural arrangement of the aforementioned fundamental sectors may be recognised. Even in religious culture, it is evident that the social corporation of monks and forest inhabitants and the creation of the physical environment corresponding to it formed the basis for how the geographical environment has affected the variety of policy. From 3 BC until the Rajarata Kingdom moved to Polonnaruwa, the cave monasteries were constructed on remote mountain ruins far from the local settlement. According to the design technology of those cave monasteries, the eco-friendly usage of their architectural elements was investigated in this study. The research objective was to confirm the relation of the architectural features of the cave monasteries with the built environment, and the research problem was to determine the spatial evolution of the architectural features of the cave monasteries over time in the cultural landscape. The methodology used in establishing architectural features is as follows, observing the geophysical location and space of cave zones, recording cultural markers (inscriptions, Painting, other symbols) to construct the spatial evolution of each cave. Confirmation of architectural characteristics, their relationship to the built environment (such as slope direction and elevation), and their reporting through plans, documentation, and photographs. A conceptual approach had to be offered in order to represent the entire geographical region while presenting the concept of eco-friendly, even if the research location was the cave monastery complex from the Rohana sub-kingdom era.

Keywords: Monastic Complex, Eco-Friendly, Caves, Geography, Architecture

Karunarathna, H.H.A. 2023. Eco-friendly Concepts in Architectural Features of Cave Monasteries. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 213-223.

New Findings of Rock Art in the Northeast of the Iranian Plateau, Khoshab Plain: Preliminary Report

BY:Ali Sadraei, Mahmoud Toghraei, Mahya Azar and Hamzeh Ghobadizadeh

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.225-231

Received:11 September 2023, Revised:07 October 2023, Accepted:18 October 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

Studying and investigating rock art has always played an important role in our better understanding of prehistoric and historical societies. In the meantime, the importance of these studies in the Iranian plateau as one of the key regions of Southwest Asia has been neglected. The leading research has been conducted in Khoshab plain, one of the northeastern plains of the Iranian plateau. And in two places on the plain, it has led to the identification of a set of rock motifs containing animal, human, symbolic and geometric motifs.

Keywords: Rock Art, Khoshab Plain, Northeast of Iran, Motifs.

Sadraei, A., Toghraei, M., Azar, M., & Ghobadizadeh, H. 2023. New Findings of Rock Art in the Northeast of the Iranian Plateau, Khoshab Plain: Preliminary Report. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 225-231.

Animal Remains in Neolithic-Chalcolithic Period of Odisha: A Review

BY:Manas Ranjan Pattanayak and Ranjana Rani Singh

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.233-246

Received:05 October 2023, Revised:26 October 2023, Accepted:09 November 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

During the last three decades a number of excavations have been undertaken in Odisha highlighting the Neolithic–Chalcolithic phase. The present paper aims at compiling the animal remains of excavated sites. Needless to say, the hunting-gathering mode of subsistence gave way to settled agriculture and emergence of farming communities during Neolithic-Chalcolithic phase. This implies a changing man-animal relationship during this phase. In this paper an attempt has been made to establish interaction between the man and animal during the second millennium B.C. in Odisha, where an early farming culture flourished.

Keywords: Animal Remains, Chalcolithic, Excavation, Farming, Neolithic.

Pattanayak, M.R., & Singh, R.R. 2023. Animal Remains in neolithic-Chalcolithic Period of Odisha: A Review. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 233-246.

The Historical and Current Tradition of Ema Keithels of Meitei in Manipur India

BY:Oinam Teresa Khumancha and Jayashree Ambewadikar

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.247-254

Received:25 October 2023, Revised:19 November 2023, Accepted:26 November 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

This paper discusses the historical development of the women's market in Manipur (Ema Keithel), including its circumstances before, during, and after British rule. Only women are allowed to trade at Ema Keithei, which is also regarded as a communal center to encourage and empower women. This paper highlights Meitei women's ventures into the traditionally male-dominated world of public trade. Ema Keithel, the largest women's market in Asia, serves as proof of the Manipuri women's active participation in trading. At current in the markets, women from Manipur's; rural, urban, and hilly areas sell a range of goods, including fruits, vegetables, rice, flowers, garments, handicraft, handloom and other essentials for daily living and well-being. They thereby serve a unique role in the state's marketing industry. The study has used secondary sources of Ema keithel which is significant as women Market of Manipur, India. To analysis this paper theories like functionalist approach and conflict approach are considered.

Keywords: Women Market, British Rule, Meitei, Gender

Khumancha, O.T., & Ambewadikar, J. 2023. The Historical and Current Tradition of Ema Keithels of Meitei in Manipur India. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 247-254.

Significance of Fairs and Festivals in Telangana- A Study

BY:P. Naresh

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.255-263

Received:12 November 2023, Revised:30 November 2023, Accepted:02 December 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

The Telangana culture in India has a cultural history of about 5,000 years. The Telangana region is rich in natural resources. The Rivers Godavari and Krishna along with their tributaries made the land very fertile and highly productive. The Geographical aspects, Polity and Economy of the region determined the culture of Telangana. The hills and water resources have shaped the life and culture of the people in Telangana. The region emerged as the foremost centre of culture in Indian subcontinent. The ruler’s patronage and interest for culinary, arts and culture transformed Telangana into a multi-cultural region where two different cultures coexist together. The region’s major cultural events have been celebrated Fairs and Religious festivals. There are several fairs like Bonala Jathara, Peddamma Jathara, Sammakka Sarakka Jathara, Kondagattu Jathara, Kotthakonda Jathara, Komaravelli Jathara, Iloni Jathara, etc. Bonalu, Bathukamma, Dasara, Diwali, Ugadi, Sankranthi, Milad un Nabi and Ramzan these are religious festivals in Telangana. Keeping in view the various fairs and festivals being celebrated in Telangana state, this paper has been proposed to bring to light make a study on the various aspects of fairs and festivals, particularly the history and significance of the festivals and fairs.

Keywords: Natural Resources, Fairs, Religious Festivals, Multi-cultural region

Naresh, P. 2023. Significance of Fairs and Festivals in Telangana-A Study. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 255-263.

Elephants on Clothes: A Study in Tracing the Journey of Elephants through Textile Motifs

BY:Sonika Sandhu and Vijay Sathe

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.265-284

Received:17 November 2023, Revised:03 December 2023, Accepted:10 December 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

The elephant is a very important ecological and cultural entity in the Indian subcontinent. It is also an important part of our religion, belief system and folklore. It has certain characters and symbolism attached to it and is recreated in multiple ways in artworks. The Indian textile industry is as ancient as the first civilizations here and is a good marker to study customs and beliefs. Each state has its own distinct textile with its motifs and patterns. The animalistic motifs on these handicrafts can be used not only to document and geotag the textile but also to establish ancestry of its creators, to understand prevalence of certain animals in given areas. In this study a correlation is being made to link the use of elephant motif in areas where these animals were either present in the past, or are still present or their creators came from areas where they formed part of their conscious memory.

Keywords: Elephant, Population, Motifs, Textile.

Sandhu, S., & Sathe, V. 2023. Elephants on Clothes: A Study in Tracing the Journey of Elephants through Textile Motifs. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 265-284.

Keeladi Excavation: A Historical Study

BY:T. Jayanthi

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.285-288

Received:27 July 2023, Revised:23 August 2023, Accepted:10 September 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

The site Keeladi is an archaeological importance place in Tamil Nadu. It is located 12 kilometres south east of Madurai on the south bank of river Vaigai in Tamil Nadu near the town of Sivagangai District. In order to find the ancient artifacts and unearthed materials, several times the Archaeologists made an attempt. The first attempt was made the 1974. This excavation was first started in PallisanthaiThidal. It is one Kilometer east of the town of Keeladi. Various archaeological resides were found when blowing the land around the site. The area was excavated is spread over 80 acres with a 3.5 kilometre radius. The archaeologists discovered plenty of archaeological remains at Keeladi during their different phases of excavation. Many Games objects also recovered from Keeladi excavation. Most of the objects belonged to terracotta. The symbols and Graffiti are very significant of the symbolic and codified expressions and communication of the megalithic and Iron Age people. During the excavation a huge number of graffiti sherds discovered from Keeladi. There is no doubt the antiquity of Keeladi revealed the ancient society.

Keywords: Artifacts, Excavation, Ggraffiti, Iron age, Sangam age, TamilBrahmi Scripts

Jayanthi, T. 2023. Keeladi Excavation: A Historical study. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 285-288.

A Marvelous Buddha Sculpture in the Reserve Collection of Peshawar Museum (Pakistan)

BY:Tahir Saeed

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.289-295

Received:27 July 2023, Revised:23 August 2023, Accepted:10 September 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

This paper presents an investigation about a Buddha image in preaching posture which is preserved in the Peshawar Museum under the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums; Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan) and identifies as Collection of Sub-Regional Office, (S.R.O) Peshawar (former Federal Department of Archaeology & Museums). This Collection constitute more than one hundred individual Gandhara Buddha images from 1st century BCE to 4th-5th century CE representing as; Buddha heads, Buddha in different postures i.e. in Abhaya mudrā, dhyāna mudrā, and dharmacakra mudrā. The present research paper introduces the S.R.O Peshawar Collection and focuses on the iconographical study of remarkable preaching Buddha image in the same collection.

Keywords: Buddha image, Buddha image, Development of Buddha image, Gandhara, Mathura.

Saeed, T. 2023. A Marvelous Buddha Sculpture in the Reserve Collection of Peshawar Museum (Pakistan). South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 289-295.

Monks, Merchants and Maritime Travels: Revisiting Faxian’s Sea Voyage from India to China

BY:Vikas K. Verma

South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology,2023, Vol: (3), Issue: (2), PP.297-302

Received:14 August 2023, Revised:23 September 2023, Accepted:10 October 2023, Publication:30 December 2023,

Buddhism played a key role in building up the relationship between ancient India and China. The entry of the Faith in China in the first century BCE and its acceptance generated interest among the monks to visit the land of its origin. By the fourth century CE, the Buddhist travellers from China were ready to undertake the difficult journey to reach the sacred destinations associated with Buddhism in India and for collecting the copies of scriptures. Faxian was the earliest among them, who came through the overland route and returned to his homeland by following the sea route from the Bay of Bengal. The accounts of his sea voyage record the perils on the way and also the incidents relating his company with the merchants on board. The travel also highlights the popularity of Buddhism in China and the royal support extended by the then Chinese emperor. In the light of these facts, this paper attempts to observe the maritime travel by Faxian and understand the role of religion in facilitating trade activities on sea.

Keywords: Buddhism, China, India, Maritime, Merchants, Monks, Southeast Asia, Trade.

Verma, V. K. 2023. Monks, Merchants and Maritime Travels: Revisiting Faxian's Sea Voyage from India to China. South Asian History, Culture and Archaeology, 3: 2, pp. 297-302.