Pragjyotisha Kamarupa: An Archaeological History

In the broader context of Indian history, Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa holds a significant position, marked by the rule of three major dynasties - the Varmana, the Salasthambha, and the Pala dynasties. The book explores the unique imprint each of these dynasties has left on the kingdom. The Brahmaputra River, flowing through the heart of Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa, emerges as a central player in shaping the destiny of the kingdom, influencing settlement patterns, economic activities, and cultural exchanges.

This book offers a comprehensive survey of the historical and archaeological panorama of the Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa. The articles span a diverse range of topics, from the ancient roots of Pragjyotisha- Kamarupa to meticulous examinations of archaeological remains in various areas of the valley, such as Guwahati, Mayong and Goalpara. Apart from these exploratory results, there are specific studies on the pottery and terracotta objects from explorations and excavations, iconographic studies of Surya sculptures and astrolatry in the Brahmaputra Valley.

Extending its reach to contemporary challenges, the book also includes studies on the prospection of natural- disaster-threatened archaeological sites in the lower Brahmaputra River Valley. Other topics include fauna in the sculptural art of early medieval Assam and the rock-cut sculptural tradition in the Brahmaputra Valley. The book encapsulates a vast temporal and thematic expanse of the region's archaeology and history.

Dr. Manjil Hazarika is Assistant Professor at the Department of Archaeology of Cotton University. He has completed an MA in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology from Deccan College PG and Research Institute in Pune with first class first position, an International Master in Quaternary and Prehistory from University of Rovira i Virgili, Spain under the Erasmus Mundus Master Program financed by the European Union and a PG Diploma in Heritage Management and Tourism from Tilak Maharashtra University, Pune.

In 2014, De. Hazarika completed PhD from the Bern University in Switzerland and was awarded the highest accolade of Summa cum laude (with highest honour). He is the recipient of Prof. H.D. Sankalia Memorial Gold Medal Award. Prof. SN. Rajaguru Geoarchaeology Cash Prize Award, Late Shri K Subbaiah Prize Award and Pandit Hemchandra Goswami Memorial Award. His published book Prehistory and Archaeology of Northeast India: Multidisciplinary Investigation in an Archaeological Terra Incognita (2017, Oxford University Press) and papers published in various journals and books have dealt with the prehistoric cultures and historical archaeology in the north-eastern part of the country. He is also associated with journals like Ancient Asia: South East Asian Review, Abhidha-Journal of Art, Archaeology and Cultural Heritage and Moolam: Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences as members of the editorial board.

Previously he has served at the Indian Archaeological Society, New Delhi as a Research Associate and at the Department of Heritage Conservation, Mekelle University in Ethiopia as Assistant Professor. Hazarika was also a member of the Indo-French research team which discovered anthropic activities at Siwaliks of Northwest India dating back to 2.6 Ma, which is the earliest evidence of presence of man in South Asia.

Currently, he is member of the Executive Committees of Indian Society for Prehistoric and Quaternary Studies (ISPQS), Society of South Asia Archaeology (SOSAA) and Indian Archaeological Society (IAS). Besides, he is also acting as Convener of Kamrup Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and engaged in various activities for promotion and preservation of cultural heritage in Assam.

Sanathana Y.S. is pursuing a Ph.D. in Archaeology at Cotton University in Guwahati, where he delves into the ancient history of Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa. His academic journey also includes a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Ancient History and Archaeology from the University of Mysore (2010-12) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology from the Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi (2012-14). Sanathana has gained practical experience in archaeology through various archaeological exploration and excavation projects of the Archaeological Survey of India, University of Mysore, and Cotton University. He is currently working as a Research Associate at Pleach India Foundation in Hyderabad.

His previous academic positions include Senior Training Associate at the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training in New Delhi, Research Assistant at INTACH's Assam State Chapter, and Guest Faculty at the Department of Archaeology at Cotton University.

He has received prestigious academic awards such as the Professor A.V. Narasimha Murthy Gold Medal and the Professor K.A. Neelakanta Sastry Endowment Cash Prize for his outstanding performance during his M.A. studies. Moreover, Sanathana is the recipient of a research grant from the Nehru Trust for the Indian Collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum to document the Rock-cut Sculptural Art of Ancient Kamarupa. He has authored more than 15 research articles published in both national and international journals.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the insightful and I comprehensive work, "Pragjyotisha Kamarupa: An Archaeological History." Within the expansive canvas of India's historical narrative, the kingdom of Pragjyotisha-Kamarupa emerges as a captivating thread, weaving through the rich tapestry of the north-eastern region until the 13th century CE. This book meticulously brought out by Dr. Manjil Hazarika and Shri Sanathana, Y.S., unravels the layers of time to illuminate the significance of this ancient kingdom, providing a key to understanding the archaeological heritage that it has bequeathed to posterity.

The Kalika Purana depicts the ancient city of Pragjyotishpura as the very place where Brahma himself resided, breathing life into the stars. Furthermore, the Purana draws a parallel between Pragjyotishpura and the celestial city of Indra, highlighting the grandeur and significance of this historical city. The region of Pragjyotisha is fascinating due to its presence in both mythological and historical accounts, creating a complex narrative.