Study of the Potters of Kuhibahal village, District – Subarnapur, Odisha – The Ethnic Survivors of Ancient Artisans Author: Bandita Biswal & Shisira BaniaAbstract: This article is by Bandita Biswal & Shisira Bania. Kuhibahal in Subarnapur district is the largest terracotta cluster village in entire western Odisha where both pottery and terracotta figures are produced. The potter communities of this village produce number terracotta items which they learn from their predecessor and meet the present day demands. Their unique products have demands not only in the local markets but also other parts of India. This ancient craft practice in Kuhibahal village is not only the source of livelihood for these craftsmen but also reveals the socio-cultural characteristics of this region with many changes and innovations. Summary: The article by Bandita Biswal and Shisira Bania highlights Kuhibahal village in Subarnapur district, the largest terracotta cluster in western Odisha. Known for its vibrant pottery and terracotta production, the village sustains an ancient craft tradition passed down through generations. The potter communities adapt their skills to meet contemporary market demands, with their products gaining popularity both locally and nationally. Beyond serving as a livelihood, the craft reflects the evolving socio-cultural fabric of the region, showcasing both continuity and innovation in traditional practices. Keywords:Kuhibahal, terracotta, Subarnapur, Odisha, pottery, craft tradition, socio-cultural heritage, artisan livelihood, traditional innovation, cluster village.

Management Perspective of Site Museums at World Heritage Sites in India Author: Kisha Shanker & Devendra Kumar GuptaAbstract: This article by Kisha Shanker & Devendra Kumar Gupta throws light on the management perspective of site museums in India which has more than thousand museums under various private, state and national agencies. It has around thirty two cultural sites which have been included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO. These sites are important landmarks for any country and thus their story needs to be told, the best possible way of informally educating masses about these are museums. In this regard, site museums become very important. The advantage of a site museum is that it tells the story of a single site through time and space. This work is based on on-the-ground research, interviews with museum workers, and a review of the literature. Essentially, it provides information on the current state of site museums in India that are part of World Heritage Sites, with a focus on management issues. The article finishes with a management model to give a long-term and effective plan for maximising the power of museums as cultural and social institutions Summary: The article by Kisha Shanker and Devendra Kumar Gupta examines the management of site museums in India, which hosts over a thousand museums across various administrative levels and includes 32 UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites. Emphasizing the role of museums in informal public education, the article highlights the unique value of site museums in narrating the history of a specific location through time and context. Based on field research, interviews with museum staff, and literature review, the study assesses the current conditions and challenges facing site museums, particularly those linked to heritage sites. It concludes by proposing a comprehensive management model aimed at enhancing the long-term effectiveness of museums as cultural and social institutions. Keywords:Site museums, India, World Heritage Sites, museum management, cultural education, UNESCO, heritage conservation, museum planning, public engagement.

The last Mughal Garden at Pinjore and its Water Works Author: Babli DeviAbstract: This article by Babli Devi gives the details of Mughal garden at Pinjore. The emergence of the tradition of Char-Bagh gardens based on the theme of ‘Paradise’ also arrived with the foundation of the Mughal Empire during the reign of Babur and developed fully up to the reign of Emperor Shahjahan. In Islamic traditions, gardens were constantly mentioned as a symbol of heaven. Whereas running water channels of these gardens were the symbol of bliss and four major rivers of heaven. Mughals were fond of gardens and most of their gardens were founded on the same theme. The tradition of laying gardens already existed in India, even before the establishment of Mughal rule but they lack the proper style and running water channels, which were the basic component of the Mughal gardens. Pinjore garden built during the late seventeenth century is another marvelous example ofgardens built under the Mughals. It was the last garden which was built in proper Mughal style. However, it is noteworthy that it was not built by Aurangzeb the last Mughal emperor but by his foster brother Fidai Khan. Summary: The article by Babli Devi explores the Mughal garden at Pinjore, highlighting it as a prominent example of the Char-Bagh garden tradition rooted in the Islamic concept of paradise. This tradition, introduced during Babur’s reign and reaching its zenith under Shahjahan, emphasized symmetry, running water channels, and symbolic representations of heavenly rivers. While garden-making existed in India prior to the Mughal period, it lacked the refined design and water infrastructure characteristic of Mughal gardens. Built in the late 17th century, the Pinjore garden represents the final significant Mughal-style garden, uniquely commissioned not by Emperor Aurangzeb, but by his foster brother, Fidai Khan. Keywords:Mughal gardens, Pinjore, Char-Bagh, paradise symbolism, running water channels, Fidai Khan, Aurangzeb, Islamic garden tradition, 17th century, Mughal architecture.

Development of Mosque Architecture in Medieval Gujarat Author: Asif Ali & Mohammad SaquibAbstract: This article by Asif Ali & Mohammad Saquib gives the information about the earliest mosques of Islam were simple and austere. As Islam reached from the Arab region to the rest part of the world, the ubiquitous need for a place of worship developed several styles of mosque architecture. The earliest examples of mosques style in the region where Islam reached were indigenous and traditional. With the passage of time, the mosque architecture developed with the amalgamation of immigrated techniques and the regional indigenous architecture. With the arrival of Muslims in India, several indigenous styles were adopted for the earliest mosques. In Gujarat, a trabeated system with corbelled domes and richly ornamented pillars and ceilings was dominated by medieval architecture. Hence a similar style was adopted for the early mosques of medieval Gujarat. Later the arcuated system was blended with the indigenous architecture and a new style evolved. The features like minarets, arches and domes were added as the style grew. This paper investigates the development of mosque architecture in medieval Gujarat through several case studies. Summary: The article by Asif Ali and Mohammad Saquib explores the evolution of mosque architecture in medieval Gujarat, tracing its transformation from the simple, austere structures of early Islam to more complex styles that emerged through cultural amalgamation. As Islam spread, mosque architecture began incorporating regional and indigenous design elements. In Gujarat, the early mosques adopted a trabeated system featuring corbelled domes, richly decorated pillars, and ceilings. Over time, this indigenous style merged with the arcuated architectural system, leading to the development of a unique regional mosque style characterized by features such as minarets, arches, and domes. The paper supports its analysis with detailed case studies. Keywords:Mosque architecture, medieval Gujarat, trabeated system, corbelled domes, arcuated style, Islamic architecture, indigenous design, cultural synthesis, minarets, arches.  

A Study of Thermal Comfort and Design Elements of the Buildings of Aligarh Muslim University Campus Author: Huma MatloobAbstract: This article by Huma Matloob gives the details of study the old buildings located within the campus of Aligarh Muslim University for their thermal comfort performance and energy efficiency achieved through the design elements. These buildings are found to be performing well in extreme weather conditions providing much-needed effort without much involvement of electrical andmechanical devices. The study aims to provide some insight into efficient building design for contemporary designers. Summary: The article by Huma Matloob examines the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of historical buildings within the Aligarh Muslim University campus. The study highlights how these structures, through their architectural design, perform effectively even under extreme weather conditions, often without relying on electrical or mechanical systems. The findings emphasize the value of traditional design elements in achieving sustainable and energy-efficient buildings, offering valuable insights for contemporary architects and designers. Keywords:Aligarh Muslim University, thermal comfort, energy efficiency, historical architecture, sustainable design, passive cooling, traditional building elements.

Seals & Sealings kept at Nalanda Archaeological Museum, District Nalanda Bihar Author: Vijay Kumar & Alok RanjanAbstract: This article by Vijay Kumar & Alok Ranjan gives the details of – seals & sealings found from Nalanda. These mainly consists of Buddhist formulas, some of them are monastic seals, a few belong to Buddhist preachers & scholars and very few belong to other religious sects. The statistical analysis of seals & sealings found during different period reveals that Nalanda became a prominent seat of knowledge between 7th & 12th century A.D. Similar analysis of the seals with Buddhist formula reveals that the use of these seals & sealings for consecrating votive stupas and larger stupas started from 7th century A.D. and ended around 12th century A.D. This is the period when the concept of Dharma kaya evolved and took deep roots. Summary: The article by Vijay Kumar and Alok Ranjan provides an in-depth analysis of seals and sealings discovered at Nalanda, primarily featuring Buddhist formulas. These include monastic seals, seals attributed to Buddhist scholars and preachers, and a few from other religious sects. Statistical evaluation of the finds suggests that Nalanda flourished as a major center of learning between the 7th and 12th centuries A.D. The study also shows that the use of these seals for consecrating votive and large stupas began in the 7th century and declined by the 12th century, a period that coincides with the evolution and entrenchment of the Dharmakāya concept in Mahayana Buddhism. Keywords:Nalanda, seals and sealings, Buddhist formulas, monastic seals, votive stupas, Dharmakāya, Buddhist scholarship, 7th–12th century A.D., religious iconography.

Ambiguity of the Gender of Avalokiteśvara —A Comparative Study on the Representations of Avalokiteśvara from India and China during Sui-Tang period Author: Huang LeleAbstract: This article by Huang Lele says that Buddhism was transmitted to China during the Han Dynasty (202 BCE-220 CE) and got integrated with existing Chinese cultures such as Confucianism and Taoism. It emerged gradually as a specific cultural phenomenon with Chinese qualities and traits. Within Buddhism itself, Avalokiteśvara, a Bodhisattva who is believed to have made a great vow to assist sentient beings in times of difficulty and to postpone his own Buddhahood until he has assisted every sentient being in achieving nirvana, experienced a long process of change. One of the striking changes in the image of Avalokiteśvara inChina is the shifting of the gender of Avalokiteśvara. The great Sui-Tang dynasties patronized Buddhism as a state cult during the greater portion of their reign. Many scholars like Wu Yan, Jiao Jie, Sun Xiushen, Cui Feng and etc. observed that Sui-Tang period was the turning point for the gender transformation of Kuan-yin (Cui Feng 2013, Sun Xiushen 1995, Wu Yan 2015). What are the reasons for transformations in the visual imagery of Avalokiteśvara? In this paper, I am going to do a comparative study on the representations of Avalokiteśvara from both India and China broadly from seventh to tenth centuries, in order to see how Kuan-yin transformed in China and whether there might be influences from India in the ways that Kuan-yin’s gender is constructed in the iconography. Summary: In this article, Huang Lele explores the transformation of Avalokiteśvara’s imagery in China, particularly the shift in gender representation, as Buddhism was integrated with Chinese cultural traditions like Confucianism and Taoism during and after its introduction in the Han Dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE). The paper focuses on the Sui-Tang period, identified by scholars as a pivotal era when Avalokiteśvara—known in China as Kuan-yin—underwent significant visual and symbolic gender transformation. By comparing representations from India and China between the 7th and 10th centuries, the study investigates the cultural and iconographic factors influencing this transformation, including potential Indian influences on the gendered iconography of Kuan-yin. Keywords:Buddhism in China, Avalokiteśvara, Kuan-yin, gender transformation, Sui-Tang dynasty, Chinese iconography, Confucianism, Taoism, Han Dynasty, comparative study.

Chronological Position of Dāmaghsada, the Son of Ghsāmotika: Testimony of Some Newly Reported Kārddamaka Coins Author: Prashant SrivastavaAbstract: This article by Prashant Srivastava discusses the chronology of Western Kshtrapa from Ghsamotika to Rudradaman. He tries to reconstruct the political events and the struggle for succession on the basis of numismatic evidence. He suggests that after Chastan nominated Jayadaman, his successor. Jayadaman died and the ruler ship was acquired by Dāmaghsada, who was finally replaced by Rudradaman. This event is alluded to in Junagadh inscription. Summary: The article by Prashant Srivastava examines the chronology and succession of the Western Kshatrapa rulers from Ghsamotika to Rudradaman, using numismatic evidence to reconstruct political developments and succession struggles. The study proposes that after Chastan nominated Jayadaman as his successor, Jayadaman died prematurely, leading to Dāmaghsada assuming power before being ultimately succeeded by Rudradaman. This transition is also referenced in the Junagadh inscription, which supports the proposed sequence of events. Keywords:Western Kshatrapas, Rudradaman, Jayadaman, Dāmaghsada, Chastan, succession, numismatics, Junagadh inscription, political chronology.