The study is about the Grant of Agrahara Villages to Brahmanas in Medieval Andhradesa. A few agrahārās trace their origin to epic times and ancient kings to indicate their antiquity. On the other hand, there are enough of evidences to show that many agrahārās were founded by kings, generals, ministers and pious persons and those they were granted to Brāhmiṇs for their sustenance. Many villages were granted as an agraharas to the Brāhmaṇās by the kings, generals, ministers and pious persons for their sustenance and sometimes use as educational institutions (Mathas). In Medieval Andhradesa, the kingdoms established several agrahāras to Brāhmiṇs. Initiated a great project for writing the bhashyas (commentaries) on the four Vedas, and invited eminent scholars in the Vedas and sastras from all over the country by offering them agrahāras or villages as grants.

Keywords: Agrahara Villages, Medieval Andhradesa, Vedas and sastras, Brahmanas.

Religion plays an important role in shaping a person identity, beliefs, values and sense of belonging. Tribal Communities in India have distinct beliefs that are rooted in their traditional origins and stories. The Riang tribe, predominantly inhabitants of Tripura, with small populations found in the States of Mizoram and Assam. They belonged to the mongoloid group and speaks language ‘Kau Bru’, which is part of the the tibeto-burman language family. The Riangs are semi-nomadic tribe and traditionally practice shifting cultivation also known as jhum (slash and burn). Animism is a primary traditional belief of the Riang Community. This paper attempts to study the traditional beliefs of Riang community that have changed with the adoption of Christianity and Hinduism. Furthermore, this paper explores more how they have managed to blend their old practices with new religious influence.

Keywords: Riang, Religion, Priest (Aukchai), Physician (Boido), Ritual, Conversion.

The cultural evolution of the mid-Ganga plain reflects a remarkable continuity that bridges prehistory with early history. This paper explores the unbroken cultural sequence extending from the Mesolithic through the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, which subsequently persisted into the historical era, culminating in the time of the Buddha and continuing into the early medieval period. Archaeological findings, material culture, settlement patterns, and subsistence strategies illustrate the gradual yet consistent transformation of societies in this region. The evidence highlights the resilience of cultural practices, the adaptation to changing environmental and socio-political contexts, and the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation. By examining this continuum, the study demonstrates how the mid-Ganga plain served as a cradle of long-standing cultural development and historical identity, thereby offering significant insights into the processes of cultural persistence and transformation in ancient India.

Keywords: Cultural continuity, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Mid-Ganga plain, Buddha, Early medieval India, Settlement patterns, Material culture, Cultural transformation.

From 1722 until 1858, thirteen (13) Nawabs ruled over Awadh and Lucknow, leading opulent lives akin to those of the English rulers. England at that time was full of the World-class artists and it was an artistic era. These well-known artist-painters were either appointed by the Nawabs of Awadh (Lucknow) or travelled to India on their own to make money. The article provides a detailed account of the artists who travelled to Awadh (Lucknow) or other Indian states to collaborate. It includes a detailed account of the Nawabs, who ruled in Awadh (Lucknow), as well as the artists who travelled to India and the Nawabs’ courts. The artists in this were Johann Zoffany (1783 to 1789), Duncan Beechey (1828 to 1852), Robert Home (1791-1828), Tilly Kettle (1722 to 1739 and again in 1769 and 1776), and Tilly Kettle, who frequently visited from England. They contributed to the creation of the Nawabs’ pictures, which prominently featured the jewellery and clothing they wore. British people brought most of these paintings to England, where they were either displayed in the Lucknow Art Gallery or preserved in museums in London. Many of them were lost in transit to England or destroyed during the time of the revolt.

Keywords: Asaf-Ud-Daula, Beechey, Ghazi-ud-din Haydar Khan, Johann Zoffany, Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah, Shuja-ud-Daula, Tilly Kettle.

Timeless tales, traditional knowledge and cultural values have been passed down from generation to generation through oral narratives. The words of verbal expressions played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting the heritage and wisdom of the past. Culture can be understood as the collective practices, values, and beliefs of a community that shares a common ideology. The material culture carries profound and deep symbolic meaning which reflects the character and traits of the people. These objects, used for various purposes, have become integral to their customs and are the cultural identity of the community in absent of written document. The ideas and purposes behind these artefacts are embedded in material culture which include both tangible and intangible knowledge, turning them into powerful cultural symbols and cognizance. This paper explores the role of women in the creation, preservation, and transmission of traditional knowledge and culture. Women, both directly and indirectly, have contributed significantly to the production, dissemination, and continuity of cultural values, ideas, and identity. Through various spheres of life, women have quietly fostered social cohesion and upheld cultural practices alongside men.

Keywords: Angami, Culture, Indigenous, Knowledge, Tradition, Transmit, Values, Women.

The Asiatic cheetah to which group the Indian cheetah belongs, once had a wide distribution and was present in the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Currently, mainly due to unrestrained hunting, conversion of grasslands for agriculture and human-wildlife conflict, merely a few of them survive that too only in the central plateau of Iran. The Indian cheetah has a long and interesting history passing through the Mughal and British period before itbecome extinct in I952. Efforts are being made by Government of India to reintroduce the southern African cheetahs into India to create a stable population of them.

Keywords: Genetic homogeneity, Endangered species, Coursing, King Akbar, Trophy hunting.

The land comprising on present areas of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan possesses the earliest archaeological and historical background that extends to the Paleolithic period (Old Stone Age) which has been calculated around two million years old from present. The sites of that specific period have been discovered by archaeologists in the Potohar (or Potohar) Plateau; presently comprising on districts of Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, and Rawalpindi in the province of Punjab. This region was the human species’ most ape-like habitat. Since remote antiquity, this area has actively contributed to the development of human history. In other words, from the prehistoric period up to the Muslim eras (19th century C.E), a variety of cultures, ancient civilizations, religious art, and architectural with vibrant styles as well as trends emerged in this part of the world (Allchin 1989: 148). Based on concrete evidences, it can be considered very correctly that Pakistan has been a homeland of an extraordinarily rich, dynamic, and diversified cultural heritage. The religious and secular buildings such as; archaeological sites, monuments, royal palaces, caravan serais (Inn), baolis (step well), forts, historic mounds, graveyards, gardens, and sacred ponds are a few of such examples which are scattered in the different areas of Pakistan (Dani 1967:25). However, due to ravages of time, human neglect, natural disasters and climatic catastrophes, the present state of preservation of the sites of both secular and religious historical monuments / sites is not entirely pleasing. In the first part of this paper conservation techniques and problems faced by the sites and historical monuments is discussed, while in the second part present practices and approaches have been described apart from the concept of Anastylosis whereas in the third part a brief discussion has been provided on the mitigated measures intended in the light of national and international laws, regulations and guidelines to improve the present state of preservation of old age legacy of mankind for posterity.

Keywords: Cultural Heritage, Legislation, Conservation Problems, Process of Anastylosis, Intended Mitigated Measures.

This paper presents findings from our recent archaeological investigation in the upper Baitarani River Valley, particularly in Mukuna village, at the confluence of the Khairi Bandhan and Baitarani rivers, within the Raruan block of Mayurbhanj district in Odisha. Notable findings include a ruined temple complex characterised by architectural fragments; miniature votive Rekha temple shrines depicting Linga Puja and Chamunda images; bricks, brick bats, and hero stones; and two votive stupas. Additionally, a Chamunda image has been identified and is currently enshrined in a modern temple at the confluence of the two rivers near the Domuhani bridge. This bridge serves as a vital link between the Champua block in Keonjhar district and the Mayurbhanj district. The Baitarani River Valley, like other river valleys in Odisha, has been a focal point for architectural and sculptural endeavours in Eastern India. Renowned for its remarkable antiquities and religious sanctuaries in northern Odisha, the valley has garnered significant scholarly attention for the abundance of art and architectural remains from various sects scattered across its expanse. These preserved architectural and sculptural remains, all attributed to the artisans of the Kalingan School in Eastern India, offer insight into the art and architecture of classical Odishan art of the early medieval period.

Keywords: Early Medieval, Chamunda, Linga Puja, Miniature, Votive, Shrine, Brahmanical, Khijjinga maṇḍala and Images etc.