Aryan Books

EXPLORING THE HIMALAYAS: History, Culture and Society

By :- R.S. Fonia

Price:

4500 $ 113

3600

Sale Price:

$ 90

QTY:

Available: In Stock

Type: English

Pages: xxii+232

Format: Hard Bound

ISBN-13: 978-81-7305-611-6

Place: New Delhi

Edition: 1st

Publisher: ARYAN BOOKS INTERNATIONAL

Size: 22cm x 28cm

Product Year: 2019

Add to Cart Buy Now

The Himalayas are not only a conglomeration of series of snow-laden mountain ranges, lush green valleys, beautiful lakes and rivers but also a sacred land of wisdom and learning of ancient Indian art, culture and philosophy. Since time immemorial, the Himalayas have been known as the ‘Abode of God’. The Vedas, the Epics, the Puranas and the Shastras not to mention the later literary works and inscriptions, not only speak about the glory of the Himalayan ranges but also mention the physical features of the region, the inhabitants and their age-old socio-economic and cultural traditions.
Although much work has been done on the geography, geology, tourism and pilgrimage of the Himalayas during the last four decades, very little is known about the archaeology, early history and cultural heritage of the region in the context of socio-economic background.
The main objective of the present work is to understand the socio-economic and cultural aspects of the Himalayas in a historical perspective. The work also aims to identify correctly the races and peoples with their age-old customs, languages and religious ceremonies and also to bring to light the historical records which have so far not been studied thoroughly and methodically. The objective is also to document and study the development of culture in the context of trade and commerce from earliest to recent times in so far as they are reflected in the archaeological monuments and archival material, as these are being gradually lost due to commercial pursuits, negative impact of tourism and human vandalism. An attempt is also being made here to present as thorough an account as possible of the traditional society of the western Himalayas, which has changed drastically in the recent times.
It is hoped that the present work will generate interest in the readers all over the world to conduct further studies on the Himalayas and also to create awareness about its cultural and ecological preservation.

Preface
Acknowledgement
Abbreviations
List of Illustrations
1. Introduction
2. Historical Background
3. Cultural Geography and Customs
4. Transhumant Subsistences, Strategies and Economies
5. Communication and Trade
6. System of Revenue and Taxation
7. Culture in the Context of Trade and Commerce
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix-A List of Villages Explored, Valley-Wise
Appendix-B Trade Routes Map No. 1
Appendix-C I. List of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sites
II. List of the Primitive Rock Engravings
III. List of Rock-cut Sculptures
IV. Cave Shelters and Shrines
V. List of Early Gonpa (11th-13 Century AD)
VI. List of Palaces
Appendix-D List of Archaeological Sites, Temples and Other Historical Buildings
Glossary
Plates
Bibliography
Index

Ramnath Singh Fonia, B.Sc., M.A., Ph.D., was born and brought up in the lap of Himalayas with moorings in the Garhwal. His natal brush with nature inspired him in the course of his academic journey to do his Doctorate in Socio-Economic and Cultural Studies of the Western Himalayas from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Dr. Fonia is a renowned archaeologist well known for his research work in the Himalayas. Through his extensive survey, excavation and field studies he has garnered evidence to reconstruct the various stages in the evolution and development of food producing, nomadic and semi-nomadic trading communities in the Himalayas on the basis of local environment. Being associated with Archaeological Survey of India for last three decades, he availed the opportunity to extensively explore the region.
He retired as Additional Director General in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi. Prior to this, he served ASI as Director of various sections including World Heritage, National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, Publication, Exploration & Excavation, Regional Director–North, Director-in-charge, Kedarnath Restoration Project and also as adviser to the authorised person for the excavations at Ayodhaya. Besides, he was also nominated as Member Secretary of Central Advisory Board of Archaeology, National Screening and Evaluation Committee and also of the Expert Committee on Amendment of Antiquity and Art Treasures Act.
Dr. Fonia has represented India at several international conferences including South Asian Archaeology Congress in Italy as also at Wisconsin, U.S.A. He also has the distinction of having led the joint collaboration between India and Afghanistan in the field of Archaeology, Archives and Museum.
Dr. Fonia's work on the subject is distinguished by its authenticity and the resonance of the Himalayas seen through the eyes of a scholar and a naturalist.

No review available. Add your review. You could be the first one. Please Login