Stupas in Orissa (Study)

by Meenakshi Chauley | 2013 | 109,845 words

This study examines the Stupas and Votive Stupas in Odisha or Orissa (Eastern India).—In this thesis an attempt has been made to trace the historicity of Buddhism in Odisha on the basis of the architectural development of the Stupa architecture. Archaeological evidence obtained from excavated sites dates such structures as early as third-second cen...

Acknowledgements

First and foremost I thank my guide Prof. Ravi Mohanty, for accepting me as a research fellow under him. I am deeply indebted to him for he has been a source of inspiration, a father figure throughout the course of the research work. As he is from Orissa and has been an avid scholar of Art and Architecture, having a very sound knowledge on the Archaeology of Orissa; all this were at my advantage while discussing any site or any aspect in this thesis. Without his encouragement, perseverance, out of the way help at times and above all being sensitive towards my domestic limitations, this work would not have been completed.

It is difficult to name everyone individually and the worse would be if I forget to mention someone; so, I am thankful to Deccan College and its staff, who had been very cooperative and was like an extended family throughout my stay in the campus.

I would specially thank Ms. Noorjahan Pathan, Ms. Shahida Ansari, Mr. Alok Kanungo, Ms. Hole and Mr. Vamanrao Gavde of Deccan College for their cooperation.

I am totally beholden to Ms. Trupti, Ms. Pallavi, Ms. Bhagyashree and Mr. Survase, the staff of the Deccan College library, who without any discrimination help each and every individual, once in the library in any possible way, in their capacity.

I am thankful to the Archaeological Survey of India and their staff, for giving me permission to access its excavated materials at the site and in the store, allowing me to use some of their photographs, plans and use their infrastructure during the field work. In particular I would like to thank Dr. S.K. Mitra and Sri. A.K. Patel, Superintending Archaeologists (Bhubaneswar Circle) and Dr. P.K Trivedi, Superintending Archaeologist (Excavation Branch IV) during whose time the field works were carried out, Sri Ajay Sasmal (Excavation Branch IV) helped technically in the final stages of printing, Sri D.K.Singh (Assistant Superintending Archaeologist), Dr. Gopinath Jena (Assistant archaeologist) posted at Ratnagiri Museum; Sri. Rakesh Singh and Sri. B.B.Badamali

(Draughtsman) for helping me with plans and elevations of the structures; and last but not the least the Monument Attendants, Museum Attendants and other staff posted at the sites and museums. I am greatly indebted to my friends Shantanu Vaidya, Sikhashree Ray and Wannapat Ruangsup who in spite of their hectic schedule, sat with me till mid-night, helped me every now and then when I was on the verge of completion of my work. I am also thankful to Jyothsana Naveen, Tosabanta Padhan, C.V Sharada, Ditipriya Reddy, Nikhil Das and Aniruddha Deshpande from Deccan College for firstly, accepting me as a friend and making my stay in the College pleasant and memorable; and secondly, for their continuous encouragement, unselfish help, providing logistic support and above all sparing their valuable time in putting together, giving in inputs, editing and seeing my thesis through, which I believe would not have been possible without their help.

I am grateful to god for giving me such an understanding Husband and In-laws who not only encouraged me to go forward with my research work but also made it a point to see that I do not get distracted from my objective. Harosh (My Husband) and Medhansh (my infant Son) were the worse sufferers, for I could not give them all the attention they needed and above it they had to live by my dictions. In spite of this, they accompanied me on my field trips, helped, cooperated in all possible ways to see my research work completed.

I am also thankful to all the scholars, researchers, authors whose works/photographs have been quoted/ used in this research work.

I am indebted to my elder brother Milan Ku. Chauley, without his help and guidance I wouldn’t have been able to complete my. It is a boon for me that his vast knowledge on Buddhism helped me throughout my research work. There was a point when due to domestic obligations I thought of quitting my research work; it was Prof. Mohanty and him who encouraged me and helped me in compiling my work.

I am not getting right words to thank my loving mother Sandhya Chauley for her unconditional love, who in spite of her ailing condition and staying far off from me she always volunteered to take care of my naughty son whenever I had to travel regarding my research work.

I am thankful to my brother Siddharth Chauley for his blessings and helping me in whatever way it was possible and stood beside me like my father.

I am thankful to my sister-in-law and friend Sindhu M.J who being an Archaeologist helped me whenever I had any doubt and seeks her help.

I am thankful to my sister-in-laws Suchitra Rai, Honey and my brother-in law Prince for their good wishes and blessings.

Last but not the least by adorable, understanding father Late Dr. G.C. Chauley who encouraged and inspired me to take my research work, who always used to accompany me for my field work even though he was an heart patient. His priority was that I should complete my work successfully.

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