Monuments and Remains an Archaeological Journey

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The Present Book "Monuments and Remains : An Archaeological Journey" is mainly based on the observation made during the tour visit while visiting the various monuments and sites under various Circles of ASI and different State Archaeological sites. In his archaeological journey I have tried to cover the limitless gamut of Indian art and architecture in small description. Some may unfortunately have dropped on the way while trying to recollect them. Thus, in this tour I have had a very clear idea regarding the various architectural styles including the rock-cut architecture and structural. In the evolution of rock cut architecture we had very well understanding of the step by step developments that had taken place in the plan and sculptural executions of the Chaitya, Viharas starting from a simply designed Barabar caves to the more complex and ornate caves of Ajanta. Similarly in the rock cut architecture of the Brahmanical and Jaina temples we had an understanding of the developments that took place. In case of structural temples we had seen the evolution of the various styles of temple architecture such as the Nagara, Dravida, Vesara and Kalinga styles. In the Nagara style we have noticed the development from the temple no. 17 at Sanchi of the Gupta period to the temples of Khajuraho of the Chandella period. In the Dravida style similarly noticed from the simple temples of the Pallava period in Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram and to the most evolved styles of the Vijayanagar period in Hampi through the intermediary stages of the temples of Cholas of Tanjavur. We had a very nice opportunity of seeing all the three styles viz. Nagara, Dravida and Vesara styles at Pattadakkal of the times of the Chalukyas of Badami. The evolution in the Kalinga style has been noticed in the various temples of Bhubaneswar in Orissa. In this book I also cover the brick temples of West Bengal.

Dilip Kumar, whose mother tongue is Gujarati, is a well-known short story writer in Tamil with several awards to his credit. He has published two collections of short stories (Moongil Kuruthu, Cre-A, Chennai, 1985, and Kaduvu, Cre-A, Chennai, 2000) and a critical work on Mauni—a pioneer of Tamil short stories (Mouniyudan Koncha Thooram, Vanadhi Pathipagam, Chennai, 1992). He lives in Chennai and runs a small literary Bookshop.

India is blessed with rich culture and heritage. Right from the ancient period there prevail diverse cultural diversities in form of art, architectures, languages, religion, philosophy, their customs, festivals, dance and music. It is also diversity in geographical and ecosystems of the diverse flora and fauna. Yet in terms of culture India stands as a unique example of having a unity in this diversity.

Every state of India has its own distinct art and architecture, has carved out its own, cultural niches. India is a country of rich archaeological wealth. Indeed the entire country in each and every nook and corner are filled with heritage either natural or cultural in diverse forms.

Thus, in this tour I have had a very clear idea regarding the various architectural styles including the rock-cut architecture and structural. In the evolution of rock cut architecture we had very well understanding of the step by step developments that had taken place in the plan and sculptural executions of the Chaitya, Viharas starting from a simply designed Barabar to the more complex and ornate caves of Ajanta. Similarly in the rock cut architecture of the Brahmanical and Jaina temples we had an understanding of the developments that took place.

In case of structural temples we had seen the evolution of the various styles of temple architecture such as the Nagara, Dravida, Vesara and Kalinga styles. In the Nagara style we have noticed the developments from the temple no.17 at Sanchi of the Gupta period to the temples of Khajuraho of the Chandella period. In the Dravida style similarly noticed from the simple temples of the Pallava period in Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram and to the most evolved styles of the Vijayanagara period in Hampi through the intermediary stages of the temples of Cholas of Tanjavur. We had a very nice opportunity of seeing all the three styles viz. Nagara, Dravida and Vesara styles at Pattadakkal of the times of the Chalukyas of Badami. The evolution in the Kalinga style has been noticed in the various temples of Bhubaneswar in Orissa.

The lectures given by the officials of A.S.I., in different monuments, museums and sites in the Deccan College, National Institute of Oceanography, different State Archaeology and Museums officials, have been very useful for us and enriched our knowledge. Apart from this we have also got the opportunity to see and feel the various cultures and most importantly food of different regions which is a very nice experience.

**Contents and Sample Pages**