Marvels of Indian Iron Through the Ages

Marvels of Indian Iron Through the Ages
Author: R. Balasubramaniam
Publisher:
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2008
Genre: Columns, Iron and steel
ISBN:

The book highlights the glorious tradition of iron making in India by describing the marvelous creations of Indian blacksmiths through the ages. The marvels provide concrete evidence of the exalted status of India s metallurgical knowledge in ancient and medieval times. Some basic ideas of ancient Indian iron metallurgy are presented in the first chapter. The book then deals with massive iron objects, with special reference to pillars and beams. The most famous example example is the Delhi Iron Pillar. The technology of forge welded cannons and a catalogue of some of the massive indigenous iron cannons of the subcontinent are presented. The famous wootz steel of the Indian subcontinent is described in the last section. Written simply and profusely illustrated with line drawings and photographs, the book embodies the latest researches on the subject. It will fascinate both serious scholars and lay readers, especially the young ones, and provide them rare glimpses into India s rich metallurgical heritage.

Approaches to History

Approaches to History
Author: Sabyasachi Bhattacharya
Publisher: Primus Books
Total Pages: 377
Release: 2011
Genre: History
ISBN: 9380607172

History as a social science is arguably more self-reflective than associated disciplines in that family. Other social scientists seem to see little reason to look beyond the paradigm they are developing in the present times. Historians on the other hand, tend to depend on the cumulative process of the development of their craft and the fund of accumulated knowledge. Yet, while this is acknowledged in the practice of research, Historiography in itself as a subject of study has rarely found its place in the syllabi of Indian universities. Knowledge of Historiography is taken for granted when a scholar plunges into research. In an attempt to address this lacuna, the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) has planned a series of volumes on Historiography comprising articles by subject specialists commissioned by the ICHR. The first volume in the series, Approaches to History: Essays in Indian Historiography brings to the readers the first fruits of that endeavour. While the essays encompass areas of research presently at the frontiers of new research, scholars will also find the bibliographies accompanying the essays of significant appeal.

Harappan Architecture and Civil Engineering

Harappan Architecture and Civil Engineering
Author: Jagat Pati Joshi
Publisher:
Total Pages: 218
Release: 2008
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 9788129111838

For the first time ever, this book gives a full view of Harappan architecture and engineering. It begins with the history of the discovery of the Indus Civilisation, from Alexander Cunninghan, through Marshall to Wheeler and recent excavators. It delineates the genesis and growth of urban architecture of the Harappans through the various discoveries from about twenty sites in the Indian subcontinent. It discusses the Harappan settlement pattern, its distribution in different ecological zones, and the regional variation in their architectural edifices. The architectural genius of the Harappans has been elucidated by a thorough treatment of the various aspects of town planning, fortification, gateways, streets, lanes, houses, drainage system, bathing floors, platforms for houses. The outstanding buildings such as the Great Bath, the granaries at Mohenjodaro and Harappa and the College Building at Mohenjodaro have been discussed in great detail.

Empires of Faith in Late Antiquity

Empires of Faith in Late Antiquity
Author: Jaś Elsner
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 533
Release: 2020-03-19
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1108473075

Explores the problems for studying art and religion in Eurasia arising from ancestral, colonial and post-colonial biases in historiography.

Iron in Ancient India

Iron in Ancient India
Author: Panchanan Neogi
Publisher:
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2007
Genre: India
ISBN: 9788177021455

The present volume gives a detail account of which were found in ancient Hindu states knowledge of metals of ancient Hindus particularly the knowledge of Iron. It has been now prove that the uses of iron were perfectly known to the Aryans. As regards Archaeological evidence one can see that ancient specimense of iron are so much abundant in India that an enumeration of that alone will convince any one to think seriously that India has always been a rich iron-producing country. The great iron pillors of Delhi are well known to the scholar of ancient history. Above these iron pillor was noticed the Dhara to known as a reference. Mount Abu Pillars are also known as historic evidence of which evidence of which is nearly double as the Delhi will as and other is mount Abu Pillar. The author has proved that the crucial process of making casted by means of cementation was really an Indian invention, and it was not till the 19th century that Mushet, rediscovered the process in Europe. In addition, the present book with rare photograph and two valuable appendices along with general index are of great importance.

History of Iron Technology in India

History of Iron Technology in India
Author: Vibha Tripathi
Publisher:
Total Pages: 284
Release: 2008
Genre: India
ISBN:

This book presents a comprehensive history of Iron Technology in India. It covers the long span of Indian history stretching over roughly three and a half millennia from the first half of the second millennium BCE to pre-modern times. One can trace the development of iron technology from the humble beginnings in a chalcolithic milieu followed by the technological evolution reaching the peaks of iron technology of the colossal structures of the Delhi Iron Pillar weighing several tons by early centuries of the Christian Era. The metallurgical expertise and the ingenuity of artisans find expression in the production of wootz steel swords with their intriguing rippling patterns. These swords and daggers were highly prized in the ancient world. They were marketed by the enterprising sailors of the Middle East at lucrative profits. The sword of Tipu Sultan is indeed a legend. The iron and steel industry in India was flourishing till the eighteenth-nineteenth century CE. The quality of the product was superior enough to be prized by the European world, viz. by the Dutch, the Spanish and the British up to pre-modern times. Iron produced at Tendukhera was imported by Britain to be used in bridges across Menai Strait and also in the London Bridge. However; one perceives a decline in traditional iron industry during the British period. Iron working could manage to survive till a few decades back among the ethnic societies who had been engaged in it for generations. The book incorporates results of a first-hand study of these traditional iron-workers, who may be termed as bearers of the legacy which had a glorious past but a very uncertain future.