The Palas Of Bengal And Bihar Had Contributed Immensely For The Growth And Development Of The History And Culture Of Our Ancient Past. In More Sense Than One, It Is A Glorious Period Also In The Cultural History Of The Above Land. During This Period, An Efflorescence Of Lierature, Hinduism, Jainism And Buddhism, And Art And Architecture Enriched Our Cultural Heritage. Not A Single Monograph Has So Far Been Published On Their Numerous Epigraphs Which Has Attracted Our Attention More And More, And Finally We Are Able To Produce A Comprehensive Monograph On The Above Subject. The Subject Matter Includes Introduction, The Pala Insriptions In Outline, Political History Of The Pala Kings And Their Genealogy, Administration, Social And Economic Life, Religion And Iconography, Art And Architecture, The Learning And Education Of The Society And The Literary Value Of The Inscriptions And Bibliography. It Was Submitted As Thesis For The Ph.D. Degree In Jadavpur University In 1987. Three Of The Examiners Of India And Abroad Have Expressed Their High Opinions Regarding This Monumental Work.

The books title has an apparent misnomer—boots were not used in early armies, at least as apparent from temple sculptures which depict bare-bodied and barefooted soldiers. But is it likely to have been true? Or social reasons led to suppression of footgear on temple walls? The book explores these and myriad other questions on the military experience of South Asia, hoping to construct a picture of how men, animals, and equipment were used on South Asian battlefields from the end of the Paleolithic till the dawn of our era. Further, as all that happens on battlefields is no more than the tip of the proverbial iceberg whose submarine mass conceals many cause–effect relationships in a wide variety of fields, the author, adopting a wide fronted approach, examines the evidence of anthropology, literature, mythology, folklore, technology, archaeology, and architecture, to reconstructs the military atmosphere of South Asia beyond the battlefield, which is the aim of this book.

"The volume thoroughly examines the origins and principal types of Buddhist architecture in Asia primarily between the third century BCE-twelfth century CE with an emphasis on India. It aims to construct shared architectural traits and patterns alongwith the derivative relationships between Indian and Asian Buddhist monuments. It also discusses the historical antecedents in the Indus Civilization and the religious and philosophical foundations of the three schools of Buddhism and its founder, Buddha. Previously obscure topics such as Aniconic and Vajrayana (Tantric) architecture and the four holiest sites of Buddhism will also be covered in this comprehensive volume. The author further investigates the influences of Buddhist architecture upon Islamic, Christian, and Hindu architecture that have been overlooked by past scholars."

In the religious landscape of early medieval (c. AD 600-1200) Bihar and Bengal, poly-religiosity was generally the norm than an exception, which entailed the evolution of complex patterns of inter-religious equations. Buddhism, Brahmanism and Jainism not only coexisted but also competed for social patronage, forcing them to enter into complex interactions with social institutions and processes. Through an analysis of the published archaeological data, this work explores some aspects of the social history of Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jaina temples and shrines, and Buddhist stūpas and monasteries in early medieval Bihar and Bengal. This archaeological history of religions questions many ‘established’ textual reconstructions, and enriches our understanding of the complex issue of the decline of Buddhism in this area. Please note: Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Rational thinking is a process that involves using reason and logic to think with facts and data, and to draw sensible conclusions. It's a systematic and objective way of thinking that's based on evidence, rather than emotions or biases. The goal of rational thinking is to produce reasonable solutions or reasons. By analyzing archaeological remnants discovered in India (inscriptions, stone slabs, forts, holy sites, civilization-culture), social people from all states, and continual observation in my life, I gradually began to see a glimpse of reality. If you observe and examine the genuine truth of society in the proper way, you will undoubtedly come closer to the truth. After examining all of the data, I had the urge to write everything down, so I began putting everything into words one by one, and as a result, my above thoughts are now available to you in the shape of a book. Regardless, for the time being, I shall consider my efforts to be incomplete. In truth, my efforts will be judged effective only if each individual experiences all of these things firsthand.

Kalhar: Studies In Art, Iconography, Architecture And Archaeology Of India And Bangladesh Is A Collection Of Forty Research Papers In Honour Of Prof Enamul Haque, Founder And Formerly Director General Of The Bangladesh National Museum And Director Of The International Centre For Study Of Bengal Art At Dhaka, Bangladesh. These Papers Are Contributed By Eminent Scholars From India And Abroad Who Acknowledge Him As An International Scholar And Admire Him In The Scholarly World. These Articles, With Notes, References And Bibliography Are Well Illustrated And Are Grouped Into Five Sections, Viz Section-I Archaeology, Section-Ii: Art And Iconography, Section-Iii: Architecture, Sectin-Iv: Epigraphy And Numismatic And Section-V: Region And In Each Section Articles Have Been Arranged In Alphabetical Order Following Surname Of The Authors. Contents Section-I: Archaeology; Kunor: The Village Of Potters: An Archaeo-Ethnological Study By Mandira Bhattacharya, Subsistence Strategies Of The Chalcolithic People Of Bengal: A Case Study By Asok Datta, A Unique Burial System Of The Ahoms By S Jamal Hasan, History Of Cattagrama Port By Shahnaj Husne Jahan, Wari-Bateshwar And Archaeology Of Banglaedsh By Abu Imam, A Preliminary Study On Amulets And Pendants Found At Wari-Bateshwar, Bangladesh By Shan Sufi Mostafizur Rahman, Buddhist Relics And Relic-Caskets: An Archaeological Study By Mallar Mitra, Pre-Muslim Terracotta Ringwell: Excavated Remains From Mahasthangarh By Nasir Uddin Mobin; Section-Ii: Art And Iconography; Representation Of The Twenty-Eight Buddhas Of Former Aeons At Bagan By Eva Allinger, The Hidden God: Some Remarks On Yama And The Protectors Of The Sacred Space In Buddhist Art By Claudine Bautze-Picron, A Unique Jaina Ayagapatta From Lower Bengal By Sudipa Bandyopadhyay, Vasudeva-Vishu Images From Bengal: Development And Innovation: Is Lotus As Essential Attribute? By Gouriswar Bhattacharya, Mughal Paintings In The Freer Art Gallery, Washington By Ziyaud-Din A Desai, On The Semiotic Function Of Trees In Early Indian Art By Adalbert J Gail, Transmigration Of Legends Between India And The Hellenistic World: Two Cases By Suchandra Ghosh, Saree: Proud Heritage Of The Women Of South Asia By Zulekha Haque, Meru, Samavasarana And Simhasana: The Recurrence Of Three-Tiered Structures In Jaina Cosmology, Mythology And Ritual By Julia A B Hegewald, Representations Of Hariti In Bihar-Bengal By Isabell Johne, An Attempt At The Dating Of Sah-Ji-Ki-Dherl Casket By Sarita Khettry, Images Of Buddhist Goddesses Accompanied By Astral Deities By Gerd J R Mevissen, On The Importance Of The Dharmakosa-Samgraha: A Little Known Text On Buddhist Iconography By Shyam Chand Mukherji, Cultural Context In Indian Art: An Introspection By R C Sharma, Deccani Ceiling Panels Showing Astadikpalas And Natesa: An Analysis By Corinna Wessels-Mevissen, The Indo-Portuguese Quilt And Its Influence On The Nakshi Kantha By Niaz Zaman; Section-Iii: Architecture, Hammams Of The Mughal Period In Bangladesh By Nazimuddin Ahmed, Madrasah Architecture In Sultanate Bengal By Khoundkar Alamgir, Unpublished Views Of Dhaka (Dacca) By Sir Charles D Oyle, 7Th Baronet By Joachim K Bautze, The Shamashana Temples Of Joydevpur In The Ghazipur District By Nazly Chowdhury, Some Important Aspects Of Manarah By Muhammad Abdul Qadir; Section-Iv: Epigraphy & Numismatics; Two Undeciphered Inscriptions Of Varendra: An Appraisal By A K M Yaqub Ali, Re-Editing The Junwani Copper Plate Inscription Of Mahasivagupta Balarjuna Regnal Year 57 By Susmita Basu Majumdar, In Search Of Silver: Southeast Asian Sources For The Coinage Of Bengal By Pranab K Chattopadhyay, An Ornamented Brahmi Inscription By B N Mukherjee, Some Observations On The Ashrafpur Plates Of Devakhadga By Sayantani Pal, Silver Coins Of The Bengal Sultans: Designs And Artistic Motifs (13Th-16Th Century) By Sutapa Sinha, Nadiabhanga Copper Plate Charter Of The Time Of Prthivivigraha-Bhattaraka: Year 253 By Snigdha Tripathy; Section-V: Religion; A Note On The Term Smarta And The Smarta Tradition By Gudrun Buhhemann, Ganga-Kula-Tiiaka By R Nagaswamy.

The Bengali (Bangla) speaking people are located in the northeastern part of South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh and two states of India – West Bengal and Tripura. There are almost 246 million Bengalis at present, which makes them the fifth largest speech community in the world. Despite political and social divisions, they share a common literary and musical culture and several habits of daily existence which impart to them a distinct identity. The Bengalis are known for their political consciousness and cultural accomplishments The Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis provides an overview of the Bengalis across the world from the earliest Chalcolithic cultures to the present. This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 750 cross-referenced dictionary entries on politicians, educators and entrepreneurs, leaders of religious and secular institutions, writers, painters, actors and other cultural figures, and more generally, on the economy, education, political parties, religions, women and minorities, literature, art and architecture, music, cinema and other major sectors. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Bengalis.