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Buddhist
Art and Antiquities
of Himachal Pradesh
O.C.
Handa |
|
| ISBN |
: |
818518299X |
|
| Year
/ Edition |
: |
1994
/ First |
|
| Pages |
: |
230
+ 67 plates + illustrations |
|
| Size
/ Format |
: |
9.5"
X 7" / Hardcover |
|
| Price |
: |
Rs.
750 |
|
| Availability |
: |
Yes |
|
| Books
of Related Interest... |
The
Western Himalayan region between the Chenab (Chandrabhaga)
in the west and the Jamuna in the east has remained
an integrated socio-cultural entity since the very
early times. To present a comprehensive and integrated
socio-cultural history of this region on the basis
of critical reassessment of the existing accounts
and extensive and intensive research on the conventional
sources, it is necessary that the unconventinal source-materials
are also meticulously examined and test-checked.
The present study is devoted to explore and critically
examine the Art and Antiquities belonging to the period
from the rise of Buddhism to 8th century A.D. when
it was wiped out of this region and many Buddhist
traditions were either lost or assimilated. Nevertheless,
Buddhism is still a living force in Lahul & Spiti
and Kinnaur regions of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh
of Jammu & Kashmir under the Buddhist traditions
that proliferated in Tibet under the proselytizing
activities of Shantarakshita-Padmasambhava team in
8th century A.D.
In the present study, the prevalence of Buddhism in
Himachal Pradesh and adjoining areas has been evaluated
on the basis of different archaeological evidences
scattered widely in the form of ruined structures,
images, icons, inscriptions and coins belonging to
the ancient era. Most of the archaeological material
discussed in this work was discovered by the author
during his field-work and has come for the first time
on record. The already known achaeological evidences
have also been examined in the relevant context.
Various racio-cultural and sociological influences
that found way into this region since the remotest
period have been examined in the first chapter. This
is followed by the study of rise and development of
Buddhist culture in the sub-continent and its influence
in the north-western Himalayan region under different
imperial dynasties in the second chapter. The third
chapter deals with the evolution of native pantheology
and its interaction with the Buddhist and Brahminical
pantheistic systems. The fourth chapter is devoted
to the survey of various Buddhist archaeological sites
of this region and in the fifth chapter the Buddhist
antiquarian wealth, defined in various categories,
has been evaluated. The sixth chapter concludes with
a note a caution about the danger to the material
cultural heritage of this region and the need to explore,
conserve and study it to reveal the missing links
of the regional history.
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| Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
1.
Introduction: Geo-Physical Setting; Socio-Religious
Background
2.
Efflorescence of Buddhism: Proliferation of the Ideology;
Imperial Patronage; Religion of Faith
3.
Evolution of Pantheistic System: Native Pantheology;
Inroad of Buddhist Pantheon; Pantheistic Interfusion;
Popularisation of Shiva-Shakti Cults under Brahminic
Revivalism; Unification of Buddhist and Brahminic Deities
under Tantric Sway
4.
Buddhist Archaeological Sites: Problems and Prospects;
Chandrabhaga Valley; Beas Valley; Satluj Valley; Jamuna
Valley (including Shalvi, Pabbar and Tons valleys)
5.
Buddhist Relics: Architectural and Structural Evidences;
Numismatic Evidences; Epigraphical Evidences; Sculptural
and other Relics
6.
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Plates
>^
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Dr.
O.C. Handa is a well-known connoisseur of art and culture,
and an outstanding scholar in history and archaeology,
especially of the Himalayan region, having been in the
field for almost half a century. In his pursuits, he
has been undertaking several exploratory visits to the
farflung nooks and corners of the Western and Central
Himalayan regions. That would underscore his zeal to
explore the antique but extant material evidences of
history, art and culture of the Himalayan region, and
his commitment to acquire first-hand and authentic knowledge
of various interesting and important aspects of this
region. This quality is well reflected in his writings.
He did his post-graduation in History from University
of Mysore, Ph.D. from Meerut University and D.Lit. form
Agra Univ. Having come from civil engineering background,
he remained in-charge of the Department of Museum &
Archaeology, Himachal Pradesh for several years.
Dr. Handa has sixteen books on art, history, archaeology
and culture of the Himalayan region to his credit. Besides,
he has been writing articles and research papers for
various national and international research journals.
He has, thus, more than 500 papers and articles to his
credit. He has also been performing for the radio and
TV. He has participated and delivered lectures in several
regional, national and international seminars and workshops.
He remained a member of different expert committees
of Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi and the Ministry of
Tourism & Culture, Govt. of India. Dr. Handa remained
a fellow of Himachal Academy of Art, Language and Culture,
Shimla; Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi;
and Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla at different
periods. He was a Senior Fellow of the Indian Council
of Historical Research, New Delhi from 2001 to 2003.
>^
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