The Proceedings of the 82nd session of Indian History Congress held at the Kakatiya University (2)

The Proceedings of the 82^nd session of Indian History Congress held at the Kakatiya University (2)

Academic proceedings: Mridula Mukherjee, former Professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, and former Director of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi, was the chief guest at the inaugural session held at KU auditorium on Thursday 28-12-2023. As usual groups of historians, academics, history enthusiasts and scholars among others including delegates from different parts of the country who attended the session, according to the organisers. From the inaugural day onwards, six separate sessions were planned to be organized on the following sessions:

Sl. no	Session	Prof/Dr	No. of papers presented
1	Ancient India	Shalini Shah
2	Medieval India	Najaf Haider
3	Modern India	Sajal Nag
4	Countries other than India	S. Srinath
5	Archaeology	Seema Bawa
6	Contemporary India	Kalpana Kannabiran
	Total		1067

The split-up figures were not available.  Generally, during the valedictory function, the sectional presidents used to brief about their experience with data.

Academic proceedings: A grand total of 1067 papers were set to be presented at the event, marking a robust discourse on various facets of Indian history. Recognizing scholarly achievements, the IHC would confer prestigious awards for outstanding historical publications[1]. Notable among these are the Barpujari Award, the Prof. Mohammad Habib Award for Medieval Indian History, and the newly introduced Prof. Annapurna Best Book Award for Ancient Indian History[2]. Additionally, the IHC boasts several awards for the best research papers across diverse historical domains, encouraging submissions from scholars under 45 years old. Noteworthy prizes include the Professor Vijay Kumar Thakur Memorial Prize for Ancient India, the Professor J.S. Grewal Prize for Medieval India, and others recognizing exceptional work in specific historical sections[3]. Noted historian Ramchandra Guha will be conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award, given every five years, by the IHC[4].

Awards for best paper[5]: There are nine prizes for the best papers submitted at the Indian History Congress session in a particular section or field by members who are not above the age of 45 years on the last date for the receipt of papers submitted for the prize (December 2023). Please note, however that there is no age-bar for Prize No.9 below.

1. Professor Vijay Kumar Thakur Memorial Prize of Rs. 10,000 for the best paper submitted for Section I (Ancient India)

2. Professor J.S. Grewal Prize of Rs. 10,000 for the best paper submitted for Section II (Medieval India)

3 & 4. Professor P.S. Gupta Memorial Prize of Rs. 10,000 and Professor J. C. Jha Memorial Prize of Rs. 10,000 for the best two papers submitted for Sections III (Modern India), IV (Countries other than India).

5. Professor Sudhir Ranjan Das Memorial Prize of Rs. 10,000 for the best paper submitted for Section V (Archaeology).

6. Professor Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize of Rs. 15,000 for the best paper submitted for Section VI (Contemporary India)

7. Professor B.B. Chaudhuri Prize of Rs. 10,000 for the best paper submitted on Economic and Social History of India (Ancient, Medieval and Modern).

8. Dr Nasreen Ahmad Memorial Prize of Rs. 7,500 for the best paper on Gender History.

9. Dr I.G. Khan Memorial Prize of Rs. 15,000 for the best paper submitted on History of Science and Technology (No age bar.)

10. Professor O.P. Jaiswal Prize of Rs. 7,500 for the best paper submitted on Indian National Movement.

11. Dr Gyaneshwari Jaiswal Memorial Prize of Rs. 7,500 for the best paper based on Archival/Epigraphic Data.

12. Professor M. Athar Ali Memorial Prize of Rs. 20,000 will be awarded for the best paper submitted at the 82nd session. There is no age-bar, and no application need be made.

The announcement of the paper selected for the prize will be made at the 84^th session. A member who wishes his paper to be considered for any of the prizes above is requested simply to indicate on it the award/(s) for which he wishes it to be considered and (in case of every prize except No. 9) attach a Xerox of some document bearing the date of birth (e.g. xerox of relevant page of passport, high school certificate, or letter of Principal of College or Chairman of Department).

The paper presentation session has been reduced to ritual, routine and mechanical: The young student delegates were evidently more interested in visiting places, taking selfies and posting them in the social media. They ever discussed about the academics, the paper presentation etc.

Go to the respective section

• Sit and wait for the turn
• Present paper within 5 to 10 minutes depending upon the president’s wish
• Face questions or no questions and discussion
• Get certificate
• Take photo and
• Go away
• Do not bother about the paper presentation of others
• Ask your friends to take photos or video to cover the above
• Post in the social media
• The attendance of IHC session is over and successful

Paper selection, editing and publication[6]: For the last 50 years experience, personally observing the paper reading sessions, nature of the papers and their themes, the way they were selected / rejected, and published had a pattern. They give more importance to the medieval session than other sessions. Next comes, the modern session dealing with the same or similar topics and issues again and again. Criticizing, condemning and attacking rightists, their ideology, Sangh Parivar – RSS, BJP, VHP, Bajran Dal etc., had been common and repeated. Opposed to such attitude-papers are rejected totally. In fact, during the course of years, many have understood and they do prepare such papers, instead, they go for dalits, women rights, children rights, minority rights, Christian missionaries’ contribution for education, socialism model, communalism, secularism, fascism, sectarianism, parochialism etc.,

• Earlier asking questions and discussion would be there perhaps for one hour also.
• Then, it was cut short.
• Summaries were published considering the academic importance.
• But, later, that also stopped, as they did not want to accommodate any view, interpretation or facts that could directly or indirectly affect their ideology.
• The following papers were also read / presented list was given
• Now, that was also stopped on the plea that every paper presenter is given a certificate for the paper presentation.
• Enjoy with the “List of papers received,” where your paper is listed, whether you go there, present it  or not!

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

31-12-2023

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[1] Telangana Today, Indian History Congress to be held at Kakatiya University after 30 years, PUBLISHED DATE – 05:47 PM, SAT – 23 DECEMBER 23

[2] https://telanganatoday.com/indian-history-congress-to-be-held-at-kakatiya-university-after-30-years

[3] Telangana Today, IHC Lifetime Achievement Award to be conferred on Ramchandra Guha, Published date – 03:48 PM, Tuseday- 26 December 23

[4] https://telanganatoday.com/hc-lifetime-achievement-award-to-be-conferred-on-ramchandra-guha

[5] Based on the “List of papers” issued by the IHC.

[6]  The previous proceeding volumes can be compared with the contents by dividing into several groups to understand the pattern e.g., before 1947 and after 1947; before 1992 and after 1992; before 2014 and after 2018 and so on.

Dholavira in Gujarat on UNESCO World Heritage list

Dholavira in Gujarat on UNESCO World Heritage list

Dholavaira, how excavated, reported and got recognition: India had submitted the nomination dossier for ‘Dholavira: A Harappan City to the World Heritage Centre’ in January, 2020[1]. The site was on the UNESCO’s tentative list since 2014[2]. It is one of the very few well-preserved urban settlements in south Asia dating from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE. Spread over 22 hectare, the Harappan-era metropolis is the fifth largest archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilisation, dating back to around 3000 BC and is believed to have been occupied till 1500 BC. It draws its name from present-day village Dholavira. Locally known as Kotda Timba, the expansive site was discovered in the 1960s by archaeologist Jagat Pati Joshi, who served as director general of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) between 1987 and 1990. The site was excavated under the supervision of ASI archaeologist Ravindra Singh Bisht in the 1990s. Talking to The Indian Express, Bisht: “This is recognition of my work. I am surely very happy. It is also a great thing as Dholavira is the first Harappan site from India to be inscribed on the world heritage sites list of UNESCO. I am doubly happy because I worked on Rani Ki Vav in Patan which has also been declared as world heritage site of UNESCO.” The 77-year-old retired as joint director general of ASI in 2004.

More details in the archaeological point of view, as given by ASI[3]: Dholavira in Gujarat, which got the tag of a UNESCO World Heritage Site today, is a Harappan-era city sprawled over 100 hectares on Khadir, one of the islands in the Rann of Kutch. One of the five largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation, Dholavira is located about 250 km from Bhuj. It has two seasonal streams, Mansar and Manhar, and journey to the site takes one through the wildlife-rich desert plains of Rann of Kutch. The property comprises two parts, a walled city and a cemetery to its west, a government release said, adding that Dholavira flourished for nearly 1,500 years. According to an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) note on Dholavira[4], excavations at the site have revealed seven cultural stages documenting the rise and fall of the Indus Civilisation. The city, it said, is also remarkable for its planning and architecture. Among the marvels in Dholavira are the remains of two open air stadiums and a water harvesting system. “The salient components of the full-grown cityscape consisted of a bipartite ‘citadel’, a ‘middle town’ and a ‘lower town’, two ‘stadia’, an ‘annexe’, a series of reservoirs all set within an enormous fortification running on all four sides,” said the ASI note. The ASI note says that initial stages of the civilisation show the inhabitants’ preference for colourful clay for plastering buildings, but this came to an “abrupt end…as if under a royal decree or by a resolute public consensus”.The excavations point to a general decline in the city’s maintenance before a temporary desertion. The ASI note says that when the city is populated again, ceramic traditions make an appearance and “classical planning was largely given a go-by”.”Bricks were no longer in use. While many of the pottery forms and decorative motifs were still in vogue, new ceramics in the form of white painted black-and-red and white painted grey wares along with a coarse ware bearing incised or appliqué or both kinds of designs and also some Bara related pottery made their appearance,” it said.

Dholavira in Gujarat on UNESCO World Heritage list:The Harappan city of Dholavira, in present-day Gujarat, was on 27-07-2021, Tuesday named the 40^th Indian site on UNESCO’s World Heritage list[5]. UNESCO’s announcement came just days after another site, Ramappa Temple in Telangana, was admitted to the list on 25-07-2021, Sunday. “The ancient city of Dholavira is one of the most remarkable and well-preserved urban settlements in South Asia dating from the 3^rd to mid-2^nd millennium BCE (Before Common Era). Discovered in 1968, the site is set apart by its unique characteristics, such as its water management system, multi-layered defensive mechanisms, extensive use of stone in construction and special burial structures,” UNESCO said[6].  A range of artefacts of copper, shell, stone, jewellery, terracotta and ivory had been found at the site. “The two newly inscribed World Heritage Sites offer great insight into the knowledge and ways of life of earlier societies, customs, and communities,” UNESCO said. Located in the Kutch district, Dholavira is the larger of the two most remarkable excavations of the Indus Valley Civilisation dating back to about 4,500 years ago. The site had been on UNESCO’s tentative list since 2014 and India had submitted its dossier in January 2020, a Culture Ministry statement said. A World Heritage Site is a location with an “outstanding universal value”, which signifies cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity[7]. Gujarat has a total of four World Heritage Sites now. The other three are Champaner near Pavagadh, Rani ki Vav in Patan and Ahmedabad[8].

Delighted, says PM[9]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a series of tweets that he was delighted by the development[10]. “Dholavira was an important urban centre and is one of our most important linkages with our past. It is a must visit, especially for those interested in history, culture and archaeology. I first visited Dholavira during my student days and was mesmerised by the place. As CM of Gujarat, I had the opportunity to work on aspects relating to heritage conservation and restoration in Dholavira. Our team also worked to create tourism-friendly infrastructure there,” Mr. Modi said.

India has 40 world heritage properties overall, which includes 32 cultural, seven natural and one mixed property: Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy said the inclusion of Dholavira was another feather in India’s cap, putting it in the league of countries with 40 or more World Heritage sites[11]. Ten of these sites had been added since 2014, when the Modi government first came to power, he said. “With this successful nomination, India has 40 world heritage properties overall, which includes 32 cultural, seven natural and one mixed property,” the Culture Ministry said. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said via a tweet[12]: “It is a matter of immense pride that the @UNESCO has conferred the World Heritage tag to Dholavira, a Harappan city in Kutch. This shows the firm commitment of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji towards promoting Indian culture and heritage.”

Here’s the list of 40 World Heritage Sites in India[13]: , India has 40 world heritage properties overall, which includes 32 cultural, seven natural and one mixed propertyand they are as follows[14]:

1. Dholavira, Gujarat 2. Ramappa Temple, Telangana 3. Taj Mahal, Agra 4. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh 5. Hampi, Karnataka 6. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra 7. Ellora Caves, Maharashtra 8. Bodh Gaya, Bihar 9. Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha 10. Red Fort Complex, Delhi 11. Buddhist monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh 12. Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu 13. Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam 14. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 15. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal 16. Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi 17. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 18. Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh 19. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka 20. Elephanta Caves, Maharashtra

21. Mountain Railways of India 22. Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University), Bihar 23. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), Maharashtra 24. Qutub Minar and its Monuments, New Delhi 25. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat 26. Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh 27. Hill Forts of Rajasthan 28. Churches and Convents of Goa 29. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh 30. Manas Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam 31. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh 32. Rani Ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat 33. Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan 34. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, Uttarakhand 35. Western Ghats 36. Kanchenjunga National Park, Sikkim 37. Capitol Complex, Chandigarh 38. The Historic City of Ahmedabad 39. The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai 40. The Pink City – Jaipur

Indians, as a whole, should know and feel about their antiquity and unity of the Indians living in this vas geographical area touching the boundaries of other ancient civilizations 5000 YBP. Some 3000-2000 years back most of those civilizations disappeared, but the Indian civilization has been living with all the inherent continued factors of culture, tradition, and heritage.

© K.V. Ramakrishna Rao

28-07-2021

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[1] Indian Express, Harappan city of Dholavira listed among UNESCO World Heritage sites, Express News Service | Ahmedabad, New Delhi |July 27, 2021 4:08:58 pm.

[2] https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/harappan-era-city-dholavira-inscribed-on-unesco-world-heritage-list-7424926/

[3] NDTV, Harappan City Dholavira Gets World Heritage Tag, What You Need To Know, Edited by Saikat Kumar BoseUpdated: July 27, 2021 10:39 pm IST.

[4] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/harappan-city-dholavira-gets-world-heritage-tag-what-you-need-to-know-2496379

[5] The Hindu, Dholavira in Gujarat on UNESCO World Heritage list, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTNEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD, JULY 27, 2021 16:34 IST; UPDATED: JULY 28, 2021 01:09 IST

[6] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/harappan-era-city-dholavira-inscribed-on-unesco-world-heritage-list/article35559688.ece

[7] India Today, Harappan-era city of Dholavira gets Unesco’s World Heritage Site tag,  India Today Web Desk , New Delhi, July 27, 2021; UPDATED: July 27, 2021 16:10 IST

[8] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/harrappan-dholavira-unesco-world-heritage-site-tag-1833254-2021-07-27

[9] Deccan Herald, Harappan-era Gujarat city Dholavira inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List, Satish Jha, DHNS, Ahmedabad,  JUL 27 2021, 17:44 IST; UPDATED: JUL 27 2021, 21:43 IST

[10] https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/harappan-era-gujarat-city-dholavira-inscribed-on-unesco-world-heritage-list-1013461.html

[11] Economic Times, Harappan-era city Dholavira inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List, PTI, Last Updated: Jul 27, 2021, 03:59 PM IST.

[12] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/harappan-era-city-dholavira-inscribed-on-unesco-world-heritage-list/articleshow/84789331.cms

[13] Hindustan times, Unesco World Heritage tag: Here’s list of all 40 Indian sites after Dholavira addition, By hindustantimes.com | Edited by Kunal Gaurav, Hindustan Times, New Delhi, UPDATED ON JUL 27, 2021 06:30 PM IST

[14] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/unesco-world-heritage-list-here-are-all-40-indian-sites-after-dholavira-addition-101627389792414.html

National Seminar on Water management in Andhrapradesh through Ages

National Seminar on Water management in Andhrapradesh through Ages

The theme of the seminar[1]: Since the beginning of the human history, water has one of the precious needs of mankind. Water is considered to be the liquid gold. Irrigation system began in South India during the megalithic times. During the Satavahana period, teo lakes namely the lake of Five Nymphs and Panasaras are associated with Madakarni or Satakarni. During the Ikshvaku period, Bhinav Vasudeva is said to have dug two tanks for irrigation. Durimg the Pallava ruler Danti Varman and Vijaya Danti Varman executed small scale irrigation projects. During the Chola period, Rajendra I constructed a lake at Mekhala Champalli, of Chitoor district. Rajendra II caused the excavation of two reservoirs, Narayana Putteri and Veera Narasinghadeva Putteri of Puttur of Chitoor District.

During the Medieval period, the Kalatiya rulers paid attention to the storage of water for agriculture. Before, Kakatiyas, the tanks were small and the irrigation facilities were inadequate and the area of cultivation was very limited. Prataparudra constructed a big tank at Patala. Kakatiya samantas also constructed different tanks, canals and small kuntas. The Vijayanagara rulers and their nobles constructed many tanks and the canals and created sluices. In many parts of South India, the irrigation works of the Kakatiya and Vijayanagara rulers are still surviving their purposes. The Qutbshahi rulers constructed Durh Tank, Hussain Dagar Tank and Maasaab Tank to meet the water needs of the people living in Golconda Fort. During the Nizam rule an irrigation department was established and the Water Management was entrusted to a Chief engineer.

Sub-themes of the seminar: The following sub-themes were suggested for paper presentation by the scholars:

1. Water management in Andhraparadesh during Ancient, Medieval and Modern periods.
2. Water resource management and sustainable development.
3. Water use – waste water irrigation.
4. Wild-lie and forest resources.
5. Future of water resources.
6. Neeradi system (teraditional water management) vis a vis Jalasanghas.
7. Role of state – water ownership and governance.

The History and Tourism Management Department of Kakatiya University is organising a two-day national seminar on ‘Water Management in A.P. through the Ages’ on February 25 and 26, 2013. Though the invitation mentioned that Former MP B. Vinod Kumar would inaugurate the seminar as chief guest on Monday in the Seminar Hall of Humanities Building[2], as could not make out, Prof. M. Panduranga Rao of INTACH was invited to inaugurate the seminar.

25-02-2013 (Monday) – the first day of seminar: Speakers at a seminar on water management favoured revival of the ancient tanks spread across the State[3]. Delivering keynote address at the inaugural of seminar organised by the Department of History, Kakatiya Univesrity, Prof. I. Lakshmi of Osmania University said that the ancient tanks built by the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara, Qutb Shahi and other kings were still operational. The Britishers contemplated to revive the same but could not do so. “If the ancient tanks are restored to their past glory, there will be enough water for irrigation and drinking needs,” she opined. She almost covered from the ancient period to modern period.

Prof. M. Panduranga Rao of INTACH said that they identified nearly 500 tanks which were like a chain built and developed by the Kakatiya rulers in Warangal district. They would, if revived, store water three times the capacity of the SRSP. “The State government should focus on reviving this chain of tanks to make Telangana a rice bowl. These small projects help irrigate large extent of land besides meeting drinking water requirements of the people,” he pointed out.

Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. K. Sitarama Rao said that over the decades the projects of Telangana region did not attract the attention of the rulers irrespective of political parties. The projects did not get enough funds and the irrigation did not witness the development that was expected. “Water is a basic need of the humanity and it should get a top priority irrespective of the region. But, Telangana is still being discriminated in this respect too,” he opined.

The Engineer Sri Shyam Prasad Reddy delved upon the technical aspects of construction of dams, tanks etc., and explained the significance odf reviving old tanks and lakes so that they could provide water for irrigation and as well as used as drinking water.

History department head Prof. T. Dayakar Rao and senior faculty members Md Ayub Ali, S. Srinath, A. Badru Naik and others were present. ‘Old tanks built by the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara, Qutb Shahi and other kings are still operational’.

 26-02-2013 (Tuesday) – the first day of seminar: The second day proceedings both morning and afternoon session was chaired by Dr A. R. R. Ramachandra Reddy with the 10 paper presentation. The session was active with the participants asking questions, getting clarifications and appreciating for new points brought out and interpretations made.

 

720- Inagural session – Dr Srinath introduces speakers

Dr Vijaya Babu, Chairman Board of Studies, KU

Prof. I. Lakshmi of Osmania University (partly hidden)

Prof. T. Dayakar Rao , Seminar Director, History department head

Prof. K. Sitarama Rao, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences

Er Shyam Prasad Reddy, Executive Engineer (Retd), Irrigation department, Govt. Of AP.

Prof. M. Panduranga Rao of INTACH

721 – same as above – another view

Prof. M. Panduranga Rao of INTACH

Er Shyam Prasad Reddy, Executive Engineer (Retd), Irrigation department, Govt. of AP.

Prof. T. Dayakar Rao , Seminar Director, History department head

Prof. K. Sitarama Rao, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences

Prof. I. Lakshmi of Osmania University (partly hidden)

Dr Vijaya Babu, Chairman Board of Studies, KU

722 – Audience view of participating researchers, scholars, professors and students (LHS).

723 – Audience view of participating researchers, scholars, professors and students (LHS).

Dr Ayub Ali etc.

724 – Dr Bhadru Naik heading the second technical session on 25-02-2012 (Monday)

726 – Dr A. R. R. Ramachandra Reddy heading first tecnical session on 26-02-2013 (Tuesday)

725 –

727 – Dr Bobbili commenting on a paper – Dr Srinath, Dr Dayakar Rao and others in the first row

728 – Audience view of participating researchers, scholars, professors and students (LHS).

729 – Dr A. R. R. Ramachandra Reddy heading second tecnical session on 26-02-2013 (Tuesday)

730 – Valedictory function – Vice Chancellor facilitated

731 – Valedictory function – Prod Y. Yadagiri Rao

Prof B. Venkata Rathnam, VC

Prof N. Ramaswamy

Dr T. Dayakar Rao

Dr Vijaya Babu

732 – Dr Dayakar Rao reporting about the proceedings of the two-day seminar.

Totally 30 papers, covering different aspects of water resources and management, were presented by the researchers, scholars and experts.

The following resolutions were passed:

1. The importance of “the history studies” was stressed and the AP government requested to consider it.
2. Request was made to fill up the vacant posts and create new posts for the different disciplines of historical studies like tourism and management etc.

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

27-02-2013

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[1] Based on Invitation and the seminar introduction given by the Seminar director, Dr T. Dayaka Rao.

[2] http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/seminar-on-water-management-in-ap/article4448703.ece

[3] http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/revive-ancient-tanks-to-meet-water-needs/article4453811.ece