Studies in Indian History

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

The present work throws light on some of the intriguing problems of the history and culture of India which have not received proper attention of Indologists so far. They deal with political and cultural life of the people belonging to different periods of our history.

Some of the chapters dealing with the origin and historicity of Bodhgaya, cultural contacts between Bengal and Mithila; the Ganga and Indian culture: the Ramayana of Valmiki and the Jaina Puranas; The panji-Prabandha and its impact on the socio-cultural life in North-eastern India; Religion and culture: a study in Hindu Ethics; Art of Bihar from the earliest times to the Mauryan age; Folk-dance: a study in rural art; Source of gold for the early gold coins of India etc. throws altogether a new light on the problems connected with these topics and clear off the confusion created by earlier writers.

A thoroughly original and documented work of inestimable interest both for the specialist and the common reader, this volume will prove of immense help to students of Indian history and culture.

About the Author

Dr. Upendra Thakur has been working as Professor and Head of the Department of Ancient Indian and Asian Studies since 1969 and as Head of the Department of Buddhist Studies since 1984 at the Magadh University, Bodhgaya and as Director, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda since November 1988.

A widely traveled scholar, Professor Thakur has so far visited the major countries of the world including Yugoslavia, West Germany, Italy, Austria, USSR, England and Egypt (1969); Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma (1972, 1977, 1979 & 1984); Australia (1979), Malaysia (1980) Japan and USA (1981), Sri Lanka (1982), Kathmandu (1981 & 1985), London and Hamburg (1981 & 1986), and other countries of the world in connection with lecture-tour, international conferences and seminars. He has also presided over many seminars and conferences in India and abroad.

He also worked as general Secretary of the Numismatic Society of India (NSI: 1977-82) and as Chief Editor of the JNSI (1983-1985). He is presently Vice-President of the Bihar Research Society, Patna and Chief Editor of its journal (JBRS); Chief Editor, Proc. IBBA, Tokyo-Bodhgaya; Member of the International Board of Consultative Editors', World of Buddhism, Sri Lanka; Member, the Research Board of Advisors, The American Biographical Institute, USA; Member of the internationally known Explores Club of New York, USA and also recipient of the Akbar Silver Medal of the NSI. He was again honoured by the NSI along with other eminent historians of India in its Platinum session at Patna (1987). He was also awarded the Bharatiya Sanskriti Puraskara, by the Government of Bihar for his work Sahitya aura Sanskrit; Kucha Cintana (in Hindi).

Professor Thakur has published several books and more than 150 research papers including History of Mithila, History of Suicide in India, Studies in Jainism and Buddhism in Mithila, The Hunas in India, Mints and Minting in India, Some Aspects of ancient Indian History and Culture, Corruption in Ancient India, Homicide in India, On Karttikeua, Madhubani Painting, Some Aspects of Asian History and Culture, Indian Missionaries in the Land of Gold, Socio-Economic Life in Early-medieval Mithila and many other books in joint editorship; Sahitya aura Sanskrit; Kucha Citana and Mughal Kalina Bharata and Mithila Ka Lihasa and Mithila Ka Lokakala O Silpakala.