Sculptures of Kashmir: 600-1200 A. D. (An old & Rare Book)

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About the Book Kashmir, having been a great centre of art and culture during ancient and medieval period, has attracted the attention of various writers and re searchers. They, in their own sincere efforts have written a lot about architectural set-ups of Kashmir. But very little has been discussed about its sculptures. There is hardly any book or article which deals in the sculptures of Kashmir made in stone, ivory etc. in a chronological sequence emphasizing the evolution, development and the rise and fall of the art of Kashmir. The present dissertation aims at studying comprehensively the medieval sculptures of Kashmir from 600-1200 A.D. In working out a detailed idea of this study, the author has thrown light on the historical perspective, growth of religious beliefs, centres of artistic activity, iconographic aspects and artistic evaluation of the sculptures of this valley and reverberations of Kashmiri Sculptures elsewhere. Enriched with some very fine illustrations this book will prove a treasure-house to the readers.

About the Author Dr. Bansi Lal Malla did his M.A. in History from the Kashmir University and in 1983, he took the degree of M. A. in Museology from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. A keen student of Indian Art, he carried out an intensive research on the sculptures of Kashmir (600-1200 A. D.) and was awarded Ph.D. Degree by Banaras Hindu University in 1987. He has to his credit some research papers published in journals. At present he is busy in doing the post-doctoral research.

It gives me great pleasure to write a foreword to B.L. Malla's book on the Sculptures of Kashmir (c00-1200 AD). The art and architecture of Kashmir have received the attention of scholars ever since the publication of Illustrations of Ancient Buildings in Kashmir by HH. Cole in 1869. However several works including Kalhana's Rajararangini, and interpretative surveys of the History and culture of Kashmir such as 4 History of Kashmir by PNK. Bamzai; An Early History and Culture of Kashmir by S.C. Ray and Cultural Heritage of Kashmir by S.C. Banerjee have provided a background to the rich artistic heritage of Kashmir. Though the art of Kashmir has not been specifically dealt with in the general accounts of history and culture, it has however been dealt with sporadically by interested scholars in relevant publications. Though somewhat detailed works have appeared in the form of Studies in the History and Art of Kashmir by 11. Goetz, Bronzes of Kashmir by P. Fal, Early Sculpture of Kashmir by P.G. Paul and a work on the Ivories of Kashmir by Motichandra, Malla had attempted a comprehensive work on the sculptures of Kashmir. Apart from the relevant introductory chapters, Malla has dealt with the subject in detail with the historical perspective, and the growth of religious beliefs as the background materials. In regard to the sculptural art of Kashmir he has dealt with hitherto unpublished materials, and treated the subject fully, covering all the important known Indian evidences besides some important evidences abroad The treatment takes note of the iconographic details and the artistic merits in a critical manner. Its principal merit lies in the periodization of the sculptures in chronological-cum stylistic sequence. It shows the gradual ascendancy of the sculptures in point of development as well as its stagnation and decline in keeping with the socio-politi cal changes and the iconographical texts. A reference to the different artistic styles beginning with the artistic style of Gandhara and covering those of the Gupta, Rashtrakuta, Chalukya, the post Gupta, Gurjara Pratihara, and, Pala and Sena, besides the lateral influences of the Scythians and Chinese. Such a treatment can be termed as ideal or near ideal.

**Contents and Sample Pages**