School of Historical Studies

This edited volume contains ten original research papers and essays on various aspects of South Asian art, culture, and archaeology. The authors address the broad issues of trans-disciplinarity and cultural complexity attested with the art and archaeological practices of South Asia. It opens with a serious discussion on fundamental issues of archaeology and suggests effective ways that would reframe the archaeological methods of the future. The focus shift from the monument-centric approach to a collaborative trans-disciplinary endeavour eventually reconceptualises archaeology as integrated into other disciplines. The voluminous rise in archaeological data generated through more sophisticated scientific equipment testifies the close collaboration of archaeology with science. The study of cultural sequence, urbanisation pattern, and contextual analysis of material objects with nearby sites emerging more as a recent trend projects a novel research trajectory of moving away from the conventional norms of disciplinary studies and thereby adopting inter-disciplinary perspective in art-cultural studies. This book includes some preliminary reports of recent explorations and excavations conducted in Vangchhia (Mizoram) and Ganaur (Haryana). The report highlights the huge distribution of menhirs, petroglyphs, potteries, burial sites, and sculptural fragments all around Mizoram, thereby outlying the distinguish presence of Vangchhia culture. The volume also builds new perspectives to study the stylistic patterns, artistic developments, architectural expansion, and cultural complexity through the site-specific study. These studies focus on site-specific empirical research and demonstrate trans-disciplinarity and inter-disciplinary orientation of research in ancient South Asian studies.

The fall of the Mughal Empire did not necessarily replace Persian with English as the new language of British colonial culture. Rather in places like Bengal, along with many areas of North India, Persian remained popular, and in practice. As a result, both Hindus and Muslims familiarized themselves with the language, which had, over centuries, become an inseparable part of Bengal’s intellectual culture. In the early colonial period Persian continued as the language of administration. Interestingly, its application was limited not to administration alone, but also to scholarly activities carried out by Muslims and Hindus alike. Tuḥfat ul-Muwaḥḥidīn (Gift to Monotheists) — the text under discussion — was written by Rammohun Roy, in Persian, as a tract on religious reform. In the current article an analysis of the Tuḥfat will help understand Rammohun’s belief in the unity of Godhead inspired by his conviction in the inherent fallibility of religions in general, and Hinduism in particular. The treatise brings to light a sharply critical attitude of Rammohun concerning the gradual degeneration that had affected Hinduism over time.

In the cultural space of the subcontinent Sufi rituals constitute an important area of research, stirring academic and non-academic inquisitiveness. And in this regard no aspect of Sufi ritualism has been more contentious than the practice of Sama (Sufi musical assemblies). Frowned upon by orders such as the Qadiris and Naqsh-bandis; regulated by the State in the name of Shariah (Islamic Law), Sama assemblies have been, for centuries, the defining spiritual exercise of many a leading Sufi silsila. But what constitutes the sama? How does the content(s) of such a ritual arouse spiritual sensibilities? Is there any definite structure for conducting such assemblies? These are some of the questions this paper will try to answer.