Aayu Publications

The Book The volume, ‘Asoksri: Recent Researches on Archaeology, Art, Culture and Epigraphy’ is a collection of fifty two research papers dedicated to felicitate Prof. Asok Nath Parida in recognition of his outstanding contributions to archaeology and ancient history. The papers included in this volume are the outcome of recent researches on archaeological excavation, exploration, prehistory, art, architecture, epigraphy, history and culture contributed by his colleagues, friends, students as well as admirers. The main characteristic feature of this volume is its research papers with first hand and basic informations yielded through systematic and scientific excavations, explorations and meticulous field study undertaken by the authors which may serve as primary source materials for reconstruction of Indian history and archaeology. This is a unique volume in view of the fact that, it contains research papers on recent large scale excavations conducted in different parts of the country like Harappan industrial settlement of 4 MSR (Binjor), District Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan; Neo-Chalcolithic site of Kurugodu, District Bellary, Karnataka; early historic site of Keeladi, District Sivaganga, Tamilnadu; Buddhist site of Moghalmari, District Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal; early historic site of Tarighat, District Durg, Chhattishgarh, etc. The crown of this volume is an illustrated report on world famous discoveries of burials with coffins, weapons, chariots and other grave goods of warrior communities unearthed from archaeological excavations at Sanauli, District Baghpat, UP. The volume with its rich collection of research papers supplemented by figures, plates, tables, notes and references would be a usuful source material for the students, researches and general public alike. The Editors Prof. Sanjay Acharya, born in 1962 at Cuttack was educated in Ravenshaw College and Utkal University. He is the author of several articles on art and architecture, history and culture. He has a few books to his credit on Odishan art and architecture and one of them is Ganesha in Odishan Art. More than twenty scholars have been awarded Ph.D. under his supervision. At present he is the Professor and Head, Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. Dr. Nanda Kishor Swain obtained his M.A. (2000 with University Gold Medal for securing First Position in First Class), M. Phil. (2001 with First Position) and Ph.D (2009) in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha and P. G. Diploma in Archaeology (2003) from Institute of Archaeology, ASI, New Delhi. He started his service career as an Assistant Archaeologist in Archaeological Survey of India in the year 2005 and subsequently directly selected by UPSC for the post of Deputy Superintending Archaeologist in the year 2015. Presently he is posted in the Monument Division of Archaeological Survey of India Head Quarters, New Delhi. His area of specilisation is Field Archaeology, Epigraphy, Art, Architecture and Antiquarian Law. He has associated with more than a dozen major archaeological excavations in the country like Harappan sites of Dholavira and Junikuran (both in District Kachchha, Gujarat), Megalithic site of Kodumanal (District Erode, Tamilnadu), early historic sites of Sravasti (District Sravasti, UP), Ahichchhatra (District Bareilly, UP), Sisupalgarh (District Khorda, Odisha), Hansi (District Hisar, Haryana), Keeladi (District Sivaganga, Tamilnadu), Gottiprolu (District Nellore, Andhra Pradesh), etc. He has undertaken problem oriented explorations in the Middle Brahmani valley and discovered more than 100 prehistoric sites. He has contributed a number of research papers in the field of art and archaeology. Dr. Atula Kumar Pradhan did his M.A. and Ph.D in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology from Utkal Univeristy, Bhubaneswar and PGDA from Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi. His Ph.D is on Maritime Traditions of Orissa: An Archaeological Study (From earliest times to 13th C.A.D).He has participated in the explorations at Brahmani Valley (Odisha), Chaturbhunathnala (Mandasur, M.P.), Malaprabha river (Karnataka), Haup, Jonkand Maniyari river valley (Chhattisgarh). He actively participated in the excavation works at Kayama, Deuli, Radhanagar (Odisha), Harappan site Bhirrana (Haryana), Pachrahi, Tarighat and Damru (Chhattisgarh). He published three books and more than fifty articles in various national and international journals. He edited various journals and proceedings. He attended various national and international seminars and workshops. He visited Sri Lanka, Tibet, and Nepal in course of his research work. He delivered lectures on archaeology in various universities and institutions. He is the life member of various historical and archaeological societies. Now he is working as Assistant Professor in History at Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur, Odisha.