Karunasmriti Recent Researches in History, Culture and Archaeology of Odisha - A Commemoration Volume in Honour of Prof. K.S. Behera (Set of 2 Volumes)

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More than 60 articles dealing with recent archaeological discoveries, new data and interpretations are included in the volumes. The volumes contain research articles on prehistory, early history, archaeological discoveries, art, architecture, culture, epigraphy, numismatics, literature, regional history, aspects of freedom movement etc.

The volumes are dedicated to the sacred memory of Late Prof. K. S. Behera, a scholar of international repute in the history of Odisha.

These volumes are useful for research scholars, academicians, general readers interested in various facets of history, culture and archaeology of Odisha.

Prof. A.C. Sahoo teaches Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology at Visva Bharati University, Shantiniketan (WB). He is at present Professor and former Head of the Department.

The contribution of Prof. Behera in the field of Orissan art, architecture, religion and culture is well known in and outside India. When the idea of publishing a commemoration volume was finalized, it is a matter of great satisfaction that experienced as well as young scholars, students and admirers of Prof. Behera in large numbers contributed research papers in the sacred and affectionate memories of the great savant. We are extremely happy to publish these articles in two volumes, dealing with various facets of Odishan history, culture and archaeology. The articles presented provide an idea of historical and cultural continuity of Orissa from prehistoric period to that of the period of freedom movement.

Though the articles are not in uniform in their content, analysis, references or otherwise, it sheds welcome light on recent researches on various aspects of history, culture, art, architecture, epigraphy, numismatics, and archaeology of Orissa.

We are extremely thankful to all the contributors for contributing their research papers on time. The views and contents of the papers are scholar's own. As admirers of Prof. KS. Behera, we are honored to edit the volume. It is hoped that the volume would be helpful in understanding aspects of history and culture of Orissa and will be appreciated by the students and admirers of Prof. KS. Behera in particular and researchers working on history and culture of Odisha in general.

We are grateful to Dr. Radhey Shyam Shukla, the well known publisher of Pratibha Prakash and who readily agreed to' publish the volume and worked hard to bring out in such as excellent manner. Thanks to all the associated editors, who tried their best to see the volume in the present form?

The litchis findings are published in the "proceeding of Asiatic society of Bengal in the year 18761/ After the discovery of archaeological evidences in the north-Central Odisha, pacifically the revering system of the Brahmani, the Baitarani, the Burhabalanga and part of the Mahanadi, attention was drawn to such remains. However, the subsequent study undertaken by Acharya 2 (1923-24); Bose and Sen! were confined to Mayurbhanj district, Mohapatra" started systematic exploration of the river valleys in north- central Odisha in the river valley of Brahmani, Baitaram, Burhabalanga and Mahanadi confined to the districts of Dhenkanal, undargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj, Singh's" systematic survey carried out in Dhenkanal, Angul, Ta1cher, Kamaksyanagar and Pall ahara subdivisions resulted six Me Eolithic sites apart from other culture, Mohanty" has discovered microlithic assemblage in Keonjhar district, Behera's? research confined on high land of Sundergarh district and he reported workshop site of Neolithic complex. Other important work undertaken in this area includes those by, Basa et.al", Dehuri", Mishra'", Mohanta". Rectal. The researches of Archeological survey of India'Y'" from time to time have reported prehistoric cultural assemblages in the mid Brahmani valley. In recent years some discussion on the litchis assemblages of the region is mentioned with its potential.

In this present paper, emphasis has been given to study only the Mesolithic and Neolithic artifacts collected from the Kakharua basin through explorations. The present study is mainly based on extensive field work carried by the authors during the years 2006 to 2010 in and around the Kakharua valley. The eroded undulated rocky foot hill, river valley and foot hill- cum-river valley were selected for surface exploration.

Area under study and its Geomorphology

The Kakharua river is a tributary of Mankara river, which originates in Bansapal block of Keonjhar district and flows through the hilly terrain. It enters Angul district in Nagira and finally joins with Mankara river, at Bankadar of Pall ahara subdivision of Angul district. The area includes the hill ranges of Keonjhar and Angul district with erosion undulating jungle field measuring 75 sq. km area approximately (Fig. I. I ). Geologically the area comes under the .extension of the intermediate upland to central axial high land in which the hills are composed of very ancient metamorphic rocks of Khondalite, Quartzite, Charnokites, and Granites". The formations of the quaternary period include laterite formations and river valley alluvium. The natural vegetation of the area belongs to the tropical dry deciduous type.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages