"MY PARTICIPATION AT THE 78TH SESSION OF INDIAN HISTORY CONGRESS, 28-30 DECEMBER, 2017; AT JADAVPUR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, KOLKATA": PRABUDDHA BISWAS

The 78th Session of the Indian History Congress was held successfully during 28-30 December, 2017 at Jadavpur University  Campus (Kolkata) with list of papers in various topics presented by delegates and participants and they include thee following: -

Section I: - Ancient India (106 papers)

Section II: - Medieval India (122 papers)

Section III: - Modern India (374 papers)

Section IV: - Countries Other than India (34 papers)

Section V: - Archaeology (41 papers)

Section VI: - Contemporary (103 papers)

Though more papers were submitted (after the stipulated date), whose names couldn't be published but those papers would find published in the final volume to be distributed in the 79th session, 2018.

I got the opportunity to present my paper, "THE HISTORICAL JOURNEY OF PATNA BARRACKS AND THE FINAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DINAPORE CANTONMENT," in the 'Modern India' Section on the inaugural day, i.e. on 28th December, 2017.

The inauguration of the Indian History Congress was initiated with the exchange of the chair by the outgoing General President Professor(Retd.) Shireen Moosvi and the present General President Professor (Retd.) Krishan M. Shrimali.

The inaugural speech by the General President, Professor Shrimali was 'Reason and Rationality: Some Leaves from India's Intellectual History'. The speech was exhaustive and exemplary.

The Sectional President on 'Modern India' Section, Professor (Retd.) Bhojnandan Prasad Singh gave the deliberation on the topic, "Ideological Foundations of the Gandhian Movement: Reflections on the Champaran Satyagraha."

[Sectional President, Modern India Section , Professor (Retd.) Bhojnandan Prasad Singh]

I was also present in the Gandhi Bhavan to hear the Professor S.C. Mishra Memorial Lecture given by Indu Banga, Emeritus Professor, Punjab University, Chandigarh was formerly Professor of History, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (1982-90).

[Gandhi Bhawan Auditorium]

PRESENTATION ON THE TOPIC "PATNA UNIVERSITY AND ITS HERITAGE BUILDINGS." THROUGH POSTER DISPLAY

Today I got an opportunity to present before revered alumni of Patna University;  a set of twelve pictures of ‘HERITAGE BUILDINGS and illustration of THE GANGA RIVER-FRONT CAMPUS OF PATNA UNIVERSITY’ through the kaleidoscope of time. It was presented at ‘Kahaanighar' on Monday (December 25, 2017).

Each poster was not only presenting the ‘visual of heritage buildings’ but also taking ‘One and All’, to A JOURNEY IN THE PAST because “The Historic Ganga River-Front Campus of Patna University” is part of the great ‘Magadhan Capital of Pataliputra - Patna – Azimabad’;  which includes Bankipur locality of the colonial period, Muradpur locality of the medieval, and Mahendru locality of the ancient periods respectively.  

[Prabuddha Biswas at Kahaanighar today presenting “Patna University and its Heritage Buildings”]

Indeed, it was the unique way of celebrating the on-going Centenary of their beloved Patna University as admitted by all who were present and they include Retd. Prof (Dr.) Mala Ghosh, Former Principal Magadh Mahila College; Retd. Prof. Shaileshwar Prasad Sati, Retd. Prof. Dr. N. K. Chaudhary, Former HOD, Economics (PU) and Principal, Patna College; Retd. Prof. (Dr.) Padmalata Thakur, Ex-HOD History (PU); Prof. (Dr.) B. K. Mishra, HOD, Geology (PU); Dr. Imtiyaz Ahmad, Former Director, Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library among others. 

The poster series include the heritage buildings with ‘history in motion’ of Patna University Administrative Building, Wheeler Senate House, Patna College, Magadh Mahila College, Bihar National College, Patna Medical College, Darbhanga House, Science College, Patna Women’s College, NIT (formerly Bihar College of Engineering) among others.

The unique depiction of the history of the Patna University, through posters was conceived jointly by Kahanighaar and Forgotten Past (A site dedicated to Heritage and Culture).

PARTICIPATION ON INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY DATED MAY 18, 2017 AT PATNA MUSEUM

My deliberation was on

 "THE STRATEGIC LOCATION OF TELHARA, CONNECTING UTTARAPATH WITH MAGADH HEARTLAND"

The International Museum Day was organised by the Department of Art, Culture & Youth at Patna Museum Campus with series of programme including workshop, painting competition of children and initiation of month-long exhibition of artefacts unearthed in TELHARA EXCAVATION.

Copyright of Prabuddha Biswas

Please visit my website: - www.forgottenpast.in

GEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF TUNNELS OF NORTH INDIA

MY lecture to PG Geology students of Patna University on March 21, 2017 on the topic: - GEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF TUNNELS OF NORTH INDIA on the occasion of World Water Day.

It was a great feeling to address students of PG Geology in the lecture theatre, where I used to attend classes as a student.

I am really obliged to my respected teachers, who were also present to hear my deliberation.

HERITAGE SITES OF PATNA UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS

It was a great privilege......... as I was given the opportunity  to speak before the august audience on the inaugural day of the Centenary Celebration  of the Patna University (i.e. April 20, 2017); held at Wheeler Senate House, about the history and heritage sites related with Patna University Campus.

[PRABUDDHA BISWAS SPEAKING AT WHEELER SENATE HOUSE]

[PU COLLEGES]

[PATNA UNIVERSITY]

RESPONSE IN THE PRESS

1. THE TIMES OF INDIA

http://m.timesofindia.com/city/patna/pu-academics-bemoan-poor-state-of-varsity/articleshow/58285762.cms

My deliberation was on the topic: - HERITAGE SITES OF PATNA UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS (through PPT).

[DECORATED WHEELER SENATE HOUSE, IN THE EVENING]

[ON THE DAIS]

[DANCE PERFORMANCE]

Visit my website: - www.forgottenpast.in

PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD HERITAGE DAY FUNCTION ON APRIL 18, 2017; AT KUMRAHAR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE AT PATNA

It was a great pleasure to attend the World Heritage Day function on April 18, 2017; with school kids at the Kumrahar Archaeological site organised by the Patna Circle of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

I delivered a lecture on the topic: GLIMPSE OF HERITAGE BUILDINGS AND SITES OF PATALIPUTRA - PATNA.

Dr. C. P. Sinha, former Director of Kashi Prasad Jayaswal Research Institute (KPJRI) was the Chief Guest in the function. 

Dr. Shankar Sharma from ASI; anchored the programme.

THE SUMMARY OF THE KPJRI LECTURE DATED MARCH 11, 2017: - "GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF BUDDHIST MONASTERIES IN MAGADH HEARTLAND" DELIVERED BY PRABUDDHA BISWAS

The ancient environment of the region, where later emerged the great City of Patliputra; was between two rivers; (i) River Ganges along the north and (ii) the River Sone flowed along the south. Now River Punpun flows through the southern edge of the ‘Old bed of the River Sone’. As a result, the area south of Patliputra had been termed as river terrain or marshy land or ‘Jalla’ during subsequent historical times, because the area remain water-logged during rainy season and slowly recedes through Punpun in the east.

The ‘Magadh Heartland’ is surrounded by (i) Mokama Tal (which has its extent from Fatuha to Lakhisarai region) in the ‘north and east’; (ii) Hilly and Jungle Terrain in the south; and (iii) River Sone in the west; which formed its outer security cover during ancient times. In the Magadh Heartland, twin centres; (i) Rajagriha (ancient Magadh Capital and abode of Sakya Muni) (ii) followed by Bodh Gaya (centre of Enlightment of Gautam Buddha) emerged as the nucleus and rallying point of the Buddhist World.

There were two entry-points of Magadh Heartland, and they include: -

(i)     Northern Entry Point: - In the ancient period, the road from Patliputra to ‘Gaya – Bodhgaya’ via Fatuha – Hilsa – ‘Telhara-Ekengarsarai’ - Islampur was the common and popular route for pilgrims and merchants.

(ii)   Eastern Entry Point: - From post Gupta period, Lakhisarai – Sheikhpura – Barbigha - Odantapuri (Biharsharif) – Gaya – Bodhgaya route became popular as Buddhist population were abound in the East.

After crossing Ganga near Pataligram , Buddha must have proceeded east upto Fatuha (after crossing River Punpun) and then took the southern route of the present day alignment of Fatuha – Daniawan – Hilsa – ‘Ekengarsarai – Telhara’ – Islampur and from there one can move in all directions: - i.e.

(i)  Eastward movement towards Rajgir,

(ii)  Southward movement towards Gaya, Bodh Gaya;

(iii) Westward movement towards Dharawat (Gunamati), Rock-cut cave shelters of Barabar and Nagarjuni Hills (Gorathgiri), Silabhadra Monastery (Kaua Dol).

This ‘North-South Corridor’ continued to be the most important communication route till Gupta period. Initially, major monasteries emerged out along this ‘North-South Corridor’ of ‘Patliputra – Bodh Gaya – Rajagriha’ alignment. These monasteries were located at Patliputra, Teladika (Telhara), Gunamati, Shilabhadra Monastery, Bodh Gaya, Jivakarama (Rajagriha) among others.

In the Gupta period, Nalanda Mahavihara started functioning and it emerged as an important junction point for visiting both Rajagriha and Bodhgaya.

After the slow demise of the city of Patliputra, 700 AD onwards; the eastern doorway of the Magadh heartland gradually opened up through Lakhisarai – Barbigha – Sheikhpura - Odantapuri corridor. Hence, Odantapuri (later Biharsharif) emerged as the important junction point in Magadh region as it was connected with Gaya-Bodhgaya & Rajgir valley region with three alternate routes. In this phase, monasteries of Nalanda and Odantapuri came into great prominence.

To shorten the entry-point to the Magadh Heartland; another route opened up further east; bypassing Odantapuri-Barbigha portion also and i.e. Lakhisarai – Sheikhpura – Warsaliganj – Giriyak – Rajgir – Bodhgaya route. In this route, newer monasteries came to origin and they included Pigeon Monastery (Daryapur Parvati). 

Among all monasteries; the Nalanda and Odantapuri Mahaviharas emerged as two of the  five great Universities in the world during 8-12 Century AD. Interestingly, all monasteries (universities) lay in the important highways of the time, so that aspiring students, from far-off places, could reach easily for higher studies.

Photographs, Courtesy - Heritage Society

(My website: - www.forgottenpast.in)