The History and Culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, Cir. 750 A.D.-cir. 1200 A.D.


Book Description

The Palas Of Bengal And Bihar Had Contributed Immensely For The Growth And Development Of The History And Culture Of Our Ancient Past. In More Sense Than One, It Is A Glorious Period Also In The Cultural History Of The Above Land. During This Period, An Efflorescence Of Lierature, Hinduism, Jainism And Buddhism, And Art And Architecture Enriched Our Cultural Heritage. Not A Single Monograph Has So Far Been Published On Their Numerous Epigraphs Which Has Attracted Our Attention More And More, And Finally We Are Able To Produce A Comprehensive Monograph On The Above Subject. The Subject Matter Includes Introduction, The Pala Insriptions In Outline, Political History Of The Pala Kings And Their Genealogy, Administration, Social And Economic Life, Religion And Iconography, Art And Architecture, The Learning And Education Of The Society And The Literary Value Of The Inscriptions And Bibliography. It Was Submitted As Thesis For The Ph.D. Degree In Jadavpur University In 1987. Three Of The Examiners Of India And Abroad Have Expressed Their High Opinions Regarding This Monumental Work.




Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis


Book Description

The Bengali (Bangla) speaking people are located in the northeastern part of South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh and two states of India – West Bengal and Tripura. There are almost 246 million Bengalis at present, which makes them the fifth largest speech community in the world. Despite political and social divisions, they share a common literary and musical culture and several habits of daily existence which impart to them a distinct identity. The Bengalis are known for their political consciousness and cultural accomplishments The Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis provides an overview of the Bengalis across the world from the earliest Chalcolithic cultures to the present. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 750 cross-referenced dictionary entries on politicians, educators and entrepreneurs, leaders of religious and secular institutions, writers, painters, actors and other cultural figures, and more generally, on the economy, education, political parties, religions, women and minorities, literature, art and architecture, music, cinema and other major sectors. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Bengalis.




World History Encyclopedia [21 volumes]


Book Description

An unprecedented undertaking by academics reflecting an extraordinary vision of world history, this landmark multivolume encyclopedia focuses on specific themes of human development across cultures era by era, providing the most in-depth, expansive presentation available of the development of humanity from a global perspective. Well-known and widely respected historians worked together to create and guide the project in order to offer the most up-to-date visions available. A monumental undertaking. A stunning academic achievement. ABC-CLIO's World History Encyclopedia is the first comprehensive work to take a large-scale thematic look at the human species worldwide. Comprised of 21 volumes covering 9 eras, an introductory volume, and an index, it charts the extraordinary journey of humankind, revealing crucial connections among civilizations in different regions through the ages. Within each era, the encyclopedia highlights pivotal interactions and exchanges among cultures within eight broad thematic categories: population and environment, society and culture, migration and travel, politics and statecraft, economics and trade, conflict and cooperation, thought and religion, science and technology. Aligned to national history standards and packed with images, primary resources, current citations, and extensive teaching and learning support, the World History Encyclopedia gives students, educators, researchers, and interested general readers a means of navigating the broad sweep of history unlike any ever published.




Indian Books in Print


Book Description




Buddhist Architecture


Book Description

"The volume thoroughly examines the origins and principal types of Buddhist architecture in Asia primarily between the third century BCE-twelfth century CE with an emphasis on India. It aims to construct shared architectural traits and patterns alongwith the derivative relationships between Indian and Asian Buddhist monuments. It also discusses the historical antecedents in the Indus Civilization and the religious and philosophical foundations of the three schools of Buddhism and its founder, Buddha. Previously obscure topics such as Aniconic and Vajrayana (Tantric) architecture and the four holiest sites of Buddhism will also be covered in this comprehensive volume. The author further investigates the influences of Buddhist architecture upon Islamic, Christian, and Hindu architecture that have been overlooked by past scholars."




Boot, Hooves and Wheels


Book Description

The books title has an apparent misnomer—boots were not used in early armies, at least as apparent from temple sculptures which depict bare-bodied and barefooted soldiers. But is it likely to have been true? Or social reasons led to suppression of footgear on temple walls? The book explores these and myriad other questions on the military experience of South Asia, hoping to construct a picture of how men, animals, and equipment were used on South Asian battlefields from the end of the Paleolithic till the dawn of our era. Further, as all that happens on battlefields is no more than the tip of the proverbial iceberg whose submarine mass conceals many cause–effect relationships in a wide variety of fields, the author, adopting a wide fronted approach, examines the evidence of anthropology, literature, mythology, folklore, technology, archaeology, and architecture, to reconstructs the military atmosphere of South Asia beyond the battlefield, which is the aim of this book.




The Rational View


Book Description

Rational thinking is a process that involves using reason and logic to think with facts and data, and to draw sensible conclusions. It's a systematic and objective way of thinking that's based on evidence, rather than emotions or biases. The goal of rational thinking is to produce reasonable solutions or reasons. By analyzing archaeological remnants discovered in India (inscriptions, stone slabs, forts, holy sites, civilization-culture), social people from all states, and continual observation in my life, I gradually began to see a glimpse of reality. If you observe and examine the genuine truth of society in the proper way, you will undoubtedly come closer to the truth. After examining all of the data, I had the urge to write everything down, so I began putting everything into words one by one, and as a result, my above thoughts are now available to you in the shape of a book. Regardless, for the time being, I shall consider my efforts to be incomplete. In truth, my efforts will be judged effective only if each individual experiences all of these things firsthand.




Archaeology of Religion in South Asia


Book Description

In the religious landscape of early medieval (c. AD 600-1200) Bihar and Bengal, poly-religiosity was generally the norm than an exception, which entailed the evolution of complex patterns of inter-religious equations. Buddhism, Brahmanism and Jainism not only coexisted but also competed for social patronage, forcing them to enter into complex interactions with social institutions and processes. Through an analysis of the published archaeological data, this work explores some aspects of the social history of Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jaina temples and shrines, and Buddhist stūpas and monasteries in early medieval Bihar and Bengal. This archaeological history of religions questions many ‘established’ textual reconstructions, and enriches our understanding of the complex issue of the decline of Buddhism in this area. Please note: Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.




Accessions List, South Asia


Book Description

Records publications acquired from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, by the U.S. Library of Congress Offices in New Delhi, India, and Karachi, Pakistan.