Research papers of Ashoka Fellows 2022-23

Research papers of Ashoka Fellows 2022-23

Delve into a curated collection of thought-provoking works penned by our distinguished Ashoka Fellows. The papers showcase the diversity of their expertise, focusing on two papers centered around the religious landscape of Kurukshetra since ancient times and two papers centred around ancient settlements in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kurukshetra: The Transformation of its Religious Landscape

Kurukshetra, known as the ‘land of great war of Mahābhārata’, is a popular pilgrimage centre for people in Northern India. This city holds significance among Hindus due to its association with the epic Mahābhārata’ and its protagonist Lord Kṛṣṇa. However, both literature and archaeological evidence suggest that this site held eminence among followers of Brâhmanic traditions much before the epic traditions termed it as a land of righteousness. This paper intends to examine the transformation of the religious landscape of Kurukshetra since ancient times on the basis of stone sculptures and other archaeological remains which have been recovered from there. Through such evidence, I will analyse the nature and spread of those religious cults which existed in the past before the Kṛṣṇa cult became popular.  It will further, examining the role of state and popular culture in defining and altering the sacred landscape. 

Read More

Sūrya Cult in Ancient Kurukshetra: An Archaeological Perspective

Sun-worship is one of the most ancient religious traditions which is still practiced by people across India. Ancient literature and archaeological evidence both indicate the strong influence of the Sūrya or sun god throughout Indian subcontinent. Kurukshetra, an ancient site in the state of Haryana, situated in northern part of India, is believed to be the place where great war of Mahābhārata was fought and where Śri Kṛṣṇa gave his sermon in form of Bhāgvadagītā. The site has revealed many archaeological objects in the forms of terracottas, stone sculptures and inscription which shed light on the existence of five cults of the Brahmanical faith i.e., Śaivism, Vaiṣṇavism, Śakta, Gaṇapatya and Saura besides Buddhism and Jainism as well. However, the nature of the site changed with the popularity of Kṛṣṇa cult which overshadowed the other religious traditions. The intention of writing this paper is to examine the existence and influence of cult of Sūrya in religious landscape of Kurukshetra from an archaeological perspective. It will largely be based on the anthropological study of tirthas or pilgrimage sites of Sun-God which have existed since ancient times and stone sculptures recovered from the district so far.

Read More

A preliminary report on the archaeological exploration of Pethpuran, a Neolithic settlement in Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir

Pethpuran is a Neolithic settlement located in the Drungteng area of the Ganderbal District in Jammu and Kashmir. It can be found at coordinates 34° 17′ 06.27” N and 074° 51′ 59.99” E, with an elevation of 1693 metres above sea level (Fig. 1 Map). Situated in the eastern part of the Kashmir Valley, Pethpuran is positioned on the lower reaches of the Sindh River. The site covers a spacious hilltop area that features terraced agriculture and horticulture trees. 

Read More

Unearthing the Mysteries: An Archaeological Survey of Ichnad Village in Aishmuqam, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir

This research paper discusses the preliminary results of an archaeological field survey carried at Ichnad, an ancient settlement located in the Aishmuqam area of Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir. The survey was conducted in two seasons. In season first, few pottery sherds, Kushana period bricks and one broken stone sculpture were documented, from the lower foothill of the village. Oral sources prompted us to revisit the settlement for the second time which led to the discovery of another settlement on the mountain peak towards the northern side of the village. Huge terracotta storage jars, few pottery sherds and one architectural member of a door was noticed in addition to ruins of a shelter and rubble masonry fortification of a watch station. The analysis of the data permitted us to date the lower terrace of the area to the Kushana period and upper area was probably used for security purposes where a watch station (drang) was discovered of the early medieval times.

Read More