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The Development of Indian Temple Architecture and Sculpture A.D350-1350

The Development of Indian Temple Architecture and Sculpture A.D350-1350

-  Prof Naman P. Ahuja

This survey of the types and styles of sculpture, architecture and painting that survive from AD 350 - 1350 examines the morphological variations of temples and sculpture styles and sites from the earliest religious shrines in the immediately pre- Gupta period, through the regional schools and styles of the early medieval period. It looks at Jain, Buddhist and Hindu architectural contexts and explores the economic, social and religious functions of the art and buildings made in that period.

It will further explore the increasing complexity of Hindu iconography and the economic base and social motivations for patronage. Students will find it helpful if they start acquainting themselves with the mythology of the main gods before the term starts. They may use any publication (even comic-books) in any language they prefer. In addition, it will be useful to have an introduction to some political and cultural history for which the following books should be useful:

• Diana L. Eck, Darsan: Seeing the Divine Image in India, Anima Books Pennsylvania, 1981, Second edn. 1985 (and widely reprinted).

• Gavin Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism, Cambridge University Press (South Asian paperback edition by Foundation Books, New Delhi: 1998)

• George Michell, The Hindu temple: An Introduction to its Meanings and Forms (London 1977, reprinted Chicago 1988)

• Romila Thapar, The History of India, from the origins to AD 1300. (Penguin Books India, 2003)

• Heinrich Zimmer, Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization, (ed. Joseph Campbell), Princeton University Press, Bollingen Series VI, (first published in 1946, and widely reprinted since, including Indian editions)

A warm welcome to the modified and updated website of the Centre for East Asian Studies. The East Asian region has been at the forefront of several path-breaking changes since 1970s beginning with the redefining the development architecture with its State-led development model besides emerging as a major region in the global politics and a key hub of the sophisticated technologies. The Centre is one of the thirteen Centres of the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi that provides a holistic understanding of the region.

Initially, established as a Centre for Chinese and Japanese Studies, it subsequently grew to include Korean Studies as well. At present there are eight faculty members in the Centre. Several distinguished faculty who have now retired include the late Prof. Gargi Dutt, Prof. P.A.N. Murthy, Prof. G.P. Deshpande, Dr. Nranarayan Das, Prof. R.R. Krishnan and Prof. K.V. Kesavan. Besides, Dr. Madhu Bhalla served at the Centre in Chinese Studies Programme during 1994-2006. In addition, Ms. Kamlesh Jain and Dr. M. M. Kunju served the Centre as the Documentation Officers in Chinese and Japanese Studies respectively.

The academic curriculum covers both modern and contemporary facets of East Asia as each scholar specializes in an area of his/her interest in the region. The integrated course involves two semesters of classes at the M. Phil programme and a dissertation for the M. Phil and a thesis for Ph. D programme respectively. The central objective is to impart an interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of history, foreign policy, government and politics, society and culture and political economy of the respective areas. Students can explore new and emerging themes such as East Asian regionalism, the evolving East Asian Community, the rise of China, resurgence of Japan and the prospects for reunification of the Korean peninsula. Additionally, the Centre lays great emphasis on the building of language skills. The background of scholars includes mostly from the social science disciplines; History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, International Relations and language.

Several students of the centre have been recipients of prestigious research fellowships awarded by Japan Foundation, Mombusho (Ministry of Education, Government of Japan), Saburo Okita Memorial Fellowship, Nippon Foundation, Korea Foundation, Nehru Memorial Fellowship, and Fellowship from the Chinese and Taiwanese Governments. Besides, students from Japan receive fellowship from the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.