1. FT-IR Spectroscopic Analysis of Neolithic Pottery from Kashmir Valley, India - A Study of Firing Process and Mineral Composition
Author: Dr. Abdul Adil Paray
This study is an archaeometric research on the Neolithic pottery in Kashmir Valley, India to determine the firing technology and mineral composition, which is influenced by firing temperature
and clayey sediment composition through FT-IR Spectroscopic Analysis. The pottery shreds were
subjected to analysis in the powdered form for estimation of firing temperature, at the time of
manufacturing of the pottery. The characterization studies reveal the skill and style of the artisans
who lived in the Neolithic period. In this study, the firing temperature of potsherds from the four
Neolithic sites of Gufkral and Hariparigam District Pulwama, Pethpuranteng in district Ganderbal
and Qasimbagh in Baramulla, Kashmir, India is predicted. FT-IR spectroscopic analysis of the
pottery was baked at an average temperature between a minimum of 400⁰-500⁰C and a maximum
of 800⁰-900⁰C at the above sites. The common mineral composition of the pottery includes Quartz
and Aluminosilicates (Kaolinite, Illite, or Feldspar) with the addition of carbonates as reproduced
from the FT-IR spectrum.
2. Reconnaissance Explorations in the Karmanasa Valley in Uttar Pradesh: A MAHSA Survey Report (2023-24)
Author: Vikas K. Singh, Brij Mohan, Abhay P. Singh , Kuili Suganaya, Ravindra N. Singh, Cameron A. Petrie, Manisha Singh, C. L. Pandey, S. Chakradhari, Sunil K. Singh, Urvashi Singh, Anisha Singh, & Satyam Kumar
This paper presents results from an extensive survey that took place in the region of Karmanasa and Chandraprabha on the Uttar Pradesh – Bihar border in 2023-24. This survey was conducted under the auspices of the MAHSA (Mapping Archaeological Heritage of South Asia) project conducted by the
Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi and University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. Upper Palaeolithic or Epi- Palaeolithic
cultures, Mesolithic culture, Chalcolithic culture, Megalithic culture/Chalcolithic cultures have been
identified before this survey. This survey has led to the exploration of 38 sites belonging to Early
Iron Age culture, NBP culture, Early Historic to 10th -12th century AD and Medieval Period. The
cultural assemblage comprised of Black and Red Ware, Black Slipped Ware, Red Ware, Grey Ware
and Medieval Potter.
3. Interrogating Confrontations and Accommodations for dominant space
Author: Dr. Haroon Rashid & Dr. Younis Rashid
As part of Indian sub-continent, Kashmir also had been the origin and meeting place of varied and
complex traditions- Nāga,Brahmanical, Buddhist, Tantric, Trika Śāsna (Kashmiri Śaivism) etc.
besides many sub-traditions- which interacted and influenced each other thereby setting in the
process of accommodation and marginalization. In its ancient past, Kashmir has been a vibrant
space of religious debates and discourses, as the region witnessed the presence of multiple religious
traditions/sects. Some of these traditions emerged within the geographical bunkers of the region
while as some had come to the land from different spaces in the different times. The Historicity of
these religious traditions reveals that there was a continuous competition among them for securing
a dominant space in the social-cultural landscape. The present paper will try to explore how far the
elements of the interacting traditions found accommodation within each other and what led to the
domination of a particular tradition over the other. It further endeavours to analyse the aspect of
confrontation and accommodation among the multiple religious traditions for occupying the
dominant space from 3rd century B.C. to 7th century A.D.
4. Moulds and Sealings of Sunet, Kept in Shahjad Rai Research Institute, Baraut, district Baghpat
Author: Vijay Kumar , Alok Ranjan & Amit Rai Jain
This article is the result of the study of 27 moulds & 18 sealings kept in, Shahjad Rai Research Institute, Baraut district Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. These antiquities were found from Sunet district
Ludhiana, Haryana. The oldest sealing is a Greek sealing with the bust of a Greek man. Another
interesting object in this collection are moulds used for making tablets to be worn in chains/rings.
One can follow the development of Indian thought from 3rd century. Some of the sealings belong to
Shaiva and Vaishnav traditions. Some sealings show syncretic traditions also. Some sealings bear
personal name which indicates that a priestly class was emerging in 3rd – 4th century and they wore
the title of sharma. This title is still used at present by brahmins and allied caste. Single sealing in
this collection bears the famous Buddhist formula called "Dependent Origination Verse”.
5. Hoard of Uninscribed Copper Coins from Kaushambi, presently kept in Shahjad Rai Research Institute
Author: Vijay Kumar & Amit Rai Jain
This hoard has 124 universal uninscribed cast copper coins (UCCC) coins, 66 among these are square shaped 58 round shaped. This hoard was recovered from the archaeological site of Kaushambi.
Kaushambi was the capital of Vatsa Mahajanpad. It is presently kept in Shahjad Rai Research Institute,
Baraut, district Baghpat. The obverse side of square coins has the images of elephant, triangular
standard, swastika and makar in various quadrants of the square coin. The reverse side has the images
of tree in a railing, hollow cross, makar and three arched hill with a crescent in various quadrants of
the square coin. The order and orientation of these objects change in various types. This hoard has
twelve varieties of square cast coins. The weights of square UCCC vary from 4.43g to 1.14g. The
round coins of this hoard have elephant/ elephant with a rider on the obverse side and hill with a
crescent on the reverse side. Sometimes the elephant is shown walking towards right and sometimes
the elephant is shown walking towards left. The roun shape cast coins of this hoard have four types.
The weights of round UCCC vary from 3.45g to 1.01g.
6. Coins of Panchal Kings Kept, Kept in Shahjad Rai Research Institute, Baraut, District – Baghpat
Author: Vijay Kumar & Amit Rai Jain
This article is the catalogue of Panchal coins is presently kept in Shahjad Rai Research Institute, Baraut, district Baghpat. These coins were individually found at different locations in Bareilly area.
This collection has 104 coins of different Panchal kings, among these 21 are of Agnimitra, 16 of
Bhanumitra, 7 are of Bhuimitras, 15 are of Dhruvmitra, 16 are of Indramitra, 6 are of Jayamitra, 1 is of
Prajapatimitra, 3 are of Phagunimitra, 17 coins are of Rudragupta, 1 is of suryamitra and 1 is of
varunamitra. Agnimitra coins are of 3 types. Bhanumitra coins are of 3 types. Bhuimitras coins are of
4 types. Dhruvmitra coin is of 1 types. Indramitra coins are of 4 types. Jayamitra coin is of 1 types.
Prajapatimitra coin is of 1 types. Phagunimitra coins are of 1 types. Rudragupta coins are of 5 types.
Suryamitra coin is of 1 types. varunamitra coin is of 1 types. The weight of the coins in this collection
varies from 17.39 grams to 1 gram.
7. Coins of Panchal King, Achyut Kept in Shahjad Rai Research Institute, Baraut, district – Baghpat
Author: Vijay Kumar & Amit Rai Jain
This article is the catalogue of 44 coins of Panchal King Achyut. There weighs from 2.61g to weighs 0.12g. Achyut ruled Uttar Panchal and Dakshin Panchal area in the last decades of 3rd century A.D.
and early 4th Century A.D. till he was defeated by Samudra Gupta. There are coins of Type A in this
collection. This type bears legend “Achyu” on the obverse side and eight spoked wheel on the
reverse side. Various authors have enumerated different types of his coins. KM Shrimali has
mentioned 4 types. Other authors have mentioned different verity which have been called Type E
and F.
8. Unveiling the Ancient Traditions of the Ollo People: Sacred Stone and Tattooing
Author: Jumgam Loyi & Dr. Sanjay Hiri
The Ollo community resides in the heart of Laju circle under the Tirap District of Arunachal
Pradesh, India. The Ollo Laju are sub-group of Naga tribes and Sub-tribes of the Nocte tribes. The Ollo community’s rich cultural heritage is woven from a vibrant tapestry of sacred stone and art of
tattooing. For generations, these ancient practices have been intricately interwined, forming the vary
fabric of Ollo identity. This research embarks on a journey to uncover the history, symbolism, and
significance of these customs, shedding light on the Ollo people’s profound connection to their
ancestral past. The sacred stones, revered for their spiritual potency, are examined in the context of
ancestral worship. This article delves into the sacred stone and tattooing traditions of the Ollo
people. Tattooing is an integral part of the Ollo identity. This study provides nuanced
understanding of the Ollo people’s sacred stone called Long and marking of tattoo called Vihap.
This research was conducted through extensive field interviews and observational studies in Ollo
villages, where I personally collected data and photographs. This study fills a significant research
gap by providing original, firsthand research on the Ollo community’s cultural preservation,
addressing the lack of existing literature on this previously understudies community.
