The volume contains original interpretative articles on Indian and Central Asian art and culture offering fresh insight into the study of the Asian culture. Central Asia came to be regarded as a place of great interest since an early time. It was the meeting place of various races and nations and proved or served as a channel for the interchange of many civilizations like those of Hellenized Asia, Persia or Iran, Sogdiana, China, etc. India has played a most distinctive role in shaping the cultural history of Central Asia. The antiquities discovered from different parts of Xinjiang including Dunhuang are of great archaeological and artistic significance. Most of the artifacts are fragile and fragmentary which add difficulties in identifying them. Dr. P. Banerjee, well known exponent of Indian and Central Asian art had studied these objects over the decades very closely. Some of his observations are published in this volume. Dr. R. Banerjee Sarkar (co-author) helped him providing parallel examples in support of the research. The present volume also included Dr. P. Banerjee's path breaking articles on Indian art and inscription. This is the third volume in the series of Indian and Central Asian art. Dr. P. Banerjee had identified more than 100 objects from India and Central Asia and they have been published in the above mentioned volumes and leading journals of the world. The present book will contribute to the advancement of knowledge and understanding in the field of Indian and central Asian art and culture which are complex in nature. The book will certainly give an extra dimension to the understanding of the cultural closeness among ancient and Central Asia. |
