Archaeology & Medieval Identity in Jammu and Kashmir

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About the Book Jammu and Kashmir has already revealed its cultural potential in the form of numerous archaeological sites stretching from Paleolithic period to the modern through the Dogra rule and up to the making of a union territory. The importance of archaeology in history deals not so much with invention but discovering historical evidences in different forms (artifacts, even quantitative data) so as to provide the background for making conjectures and their refutation. This book studies from the archaeological and literary tradition during medieval period of Jammu and Kashmir. This work also highlighted the rich medieval culture and literature of this region. The present work makes an attempt to find out information from the archaeological, historical, literary and the oral tradition. The scope of the present work is an attempt for the understanding and re-writing of history, literature and culture of this area during medieval period. The present publication encompasses a remarkable research study on Jammu and Kashmir. The authors draw their casing up mainly from the five years of research work carried out. This book can be useful for research scholars and academicians having interest on history, culture, literature and archaeology of this region during medieval period.

About the Authors Dr. Tirtharaj Bhoi, took his Post- Graduation, M. Phil and Doctoral Degree from Central University of Hyderabad. Presently, he is working as Senior Assistant Professor in Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Jammu. His interest areas include Indian History, Ethno-archaeology and Religious study. His publications include 04 books and more than 40 research papers. The books are Religion in Western Orissa: from B.C 200 to 600 A.D.(2011), Ethnography of Megalithic Culture in Chhattisgarh(2018), Archaeology, History and Culture of Jammu and Kashmir (2019), Archeology, History, Culture and Literature of Jammu and Kashmir (2021). Now he is engaged in an ICSSR Project on "Abrogation of Article 370" in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.

Dr. Anu Bala, took his Post- Graduation, M. Phil and Doctoral Degree from University of Jammu, Jammu. Presently, she is working in Education Department, Government of JKUT. Her research interest is Regional History and Medieval Archaeology.

Preface Jammu and Kashmir has revealed its Cultural potential in the form of numerous archaeological sites stretching from ancient period to medieval period. The region is rich with potential archaeological sites. The region is inhabitant of the different identities such as Gujjar identity, Pahari identity, Mughal identity. Sultanate identity and Dogra identity. The region which was also inhabitant of the aboriginal tribe such as Gujjar, Gaddi, Chibhalis, Khokhars, Dards, Khasas and Ghakkars. The region was habitual place of the different identities from medieval period to till date. During medieval period the Jammu region was known as the term Durgara. The purpose of the study is to examine the construction of identities during medieval period in Jammu and Kashmir through Culture- Historical approach. These different identities brought a revolution in the field of art and architecture. The sources including inscription, coins, monuments and other antiquities are of immense value in the reconstruction of identities on the basis of archaeological records during medieval period. The prime objective was to understand how these identities have survived through all historical cultural sequences. It is an attempt to better understand the construction of identities through literary and archaeological evidences.

Introduction Nowadays, Archaeologist studies the great cultural diversity of humanity in every corner of the world. By nature, human beings have an innate tendency of remaining curious about the past and it was the fascination for antiquities which gave birth to the study of the archaeology. Archaeology has long been accepted as a scientific discipline providing tangible evidences for building the superstructure of history. The importance of the archaeological evidences which consists of coins, stone tools, artifacts and inscriptions etc., being contemporary record of reliable character, have help us most. They have furnished us with the name of kings, sometimes together with their dates, and other necessary particulars and recorded many important events of history.

**Contents and Sample Pages**