Studies in the Heritage, History and Archaeology of Orissa

Contents: Preface. 1. Archaeology and the maritime history of Ancient Orissa. 2. Trade routes and trade in Ancient Orissa. 3. The Temple City: in history and archaeology. 4. Dhauli: An early historic urban centre of Orissa. 5. Jaugada: an early historical fort town of Orissa. 6. Emperor Kharavela and his Capital City, Kalinganagari: An archaeological study. 7. New light on the identification of Che-li-ta-lo of Hiuen Tsang-An archaeological study. 8. Identification of Pu-Se-Po-K\'i-li of Hiuen Tsang: New lights on Archaeological perspective. 9. Early historic urban centres of Western Orissa: an archaeological study. 10. New light on the Barabati fort-a historical perspective. 11. Antiquity of the Holy City, Purushottama Puri. 12. Antiquity of Arkakshetra Konarak. 13. Urbanization and social mobility in Early India: a study of Orissa. 14. The Chilika Lake in the Maritime History of Orissa. 15. Marine Goddess and navigation: a case study of Orissa. 16. Navigational traditions in the fairs and festivals of Orissa: a socio-economic and religious study. 17. Devadasi system in Orissa: a case study of the Jagannath Temple of Puri. 18. Erotic sculptures: sidelights on the Orissan Temples. 19. Meriah Sacrifice: a socio-religious and economic festival of the Kondhs of South Orissa--a critical analysis.

"The present volume aims at surfacing some unexplored subject matters of Orissan history while equal emphasis has been given to deal with the already known aspects with changing approaches applying fresh insight. Attempt has been made to convey a meaningful account of the past in relation to the present and to trace and identify certain special features, which characterize some vital aspects of the history and culture of Orissa as a whole. It begins with the Pre-historic and proto-historic archaeology linked with maritime activities and ends with the suppression of an in human, barbarous practice, the Meriah Sacrifice. The main objective of this book, however, is to portray and preserve some of the lost and forgotten heritage and cultural aspects of Orissa to the posterity.

Each essay in the present volume is represented as a unit in itself. All of the essays together should serve to provide some significant features of the Orissan history. The title of the present work "Studies in the Heritage, History and Archaeology of Orissa" might imply treatment of every aspect of the Orissan history. But this not actually the case: it is not possible too. In the present work an endeavour has been made to deal with some pertinent aspects of Orissa as reflected in heritage, traditions, history and archaeology keeping in view their relevance and importance. Interpretations in most of the essays are explorative in nature and sharply focused the theme on archaeological perspective. The approach made is not exactly presenting history as a compilation of given facts but something much more than that.

The present work is a collection of articles most of which were written over a long span of time and published in scattered academic journals and proceedings and thus, are not exactly products of a systematically designed research project on a particular theme or confining to specific time frame. They represent author\'s explorations and ideas on some less known and unexplored aspects of Orissa history. The methodology applied in the texts is interdisciplinary approach using modern tools of research although scientific historical interpretation is the dominating feature. This book will provide new insight to the scholars and readers working on different aspects of the history, culture and archaeology of Orissa in particular and that of India in general." (jacket)