Aryan Books

VARANASI AND GANGA: Geomorphological and Archaeological Investigations at Ramnagar

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Type: English

Pages: xvi+370

ISBN-13: 978-81-7305-554-6

Place: New Delhi

Edition: 1st

Publisher: ARYAN BOOKS INTERNATIONAL

Size: 22cm x 28cm

Product Year: 2016

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The book embodies results of the first multi-disciplinary study carried out on the banks of the river Ganga. The scientific information collected by geological and archaeological investigations by experts brings to light many unknown facets of the centre of Indian culture ? Varanasi, and its lifeline ? the river Ganga. Needless to say that Ganga and Varanasi are inseparable physically as well as culturally. The results of this study at Ramnagar also make clear the ancient settlement patterns in Varanasi. The holy landscape which grew on the crescent-shaped northern bank of Ganga geologically forms part of the Himalayan formation, while its southern bank connects the region with Deccan plateau. Interestingly, both the banks are valued accordingly. Connected with the abode of gods like Shiva, the Himalayan side is the pious landscape where the city expanded. In contrast, the opposite side, i.e. Ramnagar bank, is not recommended for dwelling as per ancient traditional norms. This bank accordingly was, and still is, sparingly under occupation. Readers may come across many such geo-physical factors, which are deep rooted in the culture of Varanasi . Besides recording the findings of the geological and archaeological investigations, this book examines roots of certain prevalent mythological stories as well. Ganga, for instance, appears prominently in a number of mythological tales and folklore of Varanasi. In the narration of Ganga-avataran, this holy water channel is said to be diverted to Varanasi due to the penance performed by the sage king Bhagirathi. A pre-Ganga stage in Varanasi is obvious in this tale. Significantly, the pre-Ganga stage and the time from when this water channel started flowing in Varanasi, could be ascertained on account of the scientific analyses in this book.

Preface List of Illustrations Section-I INTRODUCTION 1. Geomorphology of Ganga Basin ? U.K. Shukla 2. Area of Archaeological Investigations ? Vidula Jayaswal Section-II GEOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF VARANASI 3. Geological Evolution of Varanasi ? U.K. Shukla Section-III ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS 4. Cuttings and Stratigraphy ? Vidula Jayaswal 5. Findings of Period I : The Later Vedic Age ? Vidula Jayaswal and Meera Sharma 6. Findings of Period II: The Janapada-Mahajanpada Age ? Vidula Jayaswal and Meera Sharma 7. Findings of Period III: The Maurya-Sunga Age ? Vidula Jayaswal and Meera Sharma 8. Findings of Period IV: The Kushan Age ? Vidula Jayaswal and Meera Sharma 9. Findings of Period V: The Post-Kushan Age ? Vidula Jayaswal and Meera Sharma Section-IV RECONSTRUCTION 10. Summary and Deductions ? Vidula Jayaswal and U.K. Shukla Appendix ? Antiquities From Surface: Ramnagar Collection in the Jnana-Pravaha Museum ? Meera Sharma and Neeraj Pandey Bibliography Index

Former Professor and Head of the Department of A.I.H.C. & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University, Dr. Vidula Jayaswal is at present Fellow, Dr. R.C. Sharma Chair, Jnana-Pravaha, Varanasi. An archaeologist of repute she has published more than 75 research papers in national and international journals. She also has around 20 books to her credit. Her passion for the history of Varanasi has resulted in the discovery of about a dozen sites and excavations of seven ancient settlements in and around the region. Her earlier significant contributions are in the palaeolithic archaeology, ethno-archaeology and ethno-art history, which are through field study based publications. An alumnus of the Lucknow University, from where he received his Masters and Doctoral degrees (1992), Dr. Uma Kant Shukla is Professor in the Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Institute of Sciences, Banaras Hindu University. Recipient of the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (Germany), Prof. Shukla specializes in Sedimentology, with focus on evolution of Mesozoic and Proterozoic sequences of Lesser Himalayas and Vindhyas. He is credited with generating facies models for various depositional domains in response to modern fluvial processes. He has published about 65 research papers in reputed journals. His work carried out in the Ganga Basin around Varanasi is highly acclaimed and cited. A Research Associate at Jnana-Pravaha, Varanasi, Dr. (Ms.) Meera Sharma received her Doctoral degree (1988) from the Banaras Hindu University. She specializes in the Buddhist art and iconography. She has participated in a number of excavations, viz. Aktha, Ramnagar, Shooltankeshwar and Rajghat, conducted by the Department of A.I.H.C. & Archaeology of the Banaras Hindu University and Jnana-Pravaha, Varanasi. Her studies on the sculpture centres ? Sarnath and Mathura, and interpretation of find-spot contexts of the icons from the religious settlements has added new direction to the study of ancient

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