Heritage of Rajasthan : Monuments and Archaeological Sites

Heritage of Rajasthan : Monuments and Archaeological Sites : Rajasthan has a long and glorious past. Events of history are evidenced in the form of ancient monuments and archaeological sites spread through the length and breadth of the entire state.

The present volume – an outcome of field studies carried out for several years by the author and his team of expert associates-is a comprehensive and composite study of monuments and archaeological sites of Rajasthan. The information, not limited to any particular type or period, covers a variety of monuments including massive forts, temples, tombs, inscriptions, palaces, havelies, step-wells, pillars, mosques, caves, tanks, etc.

This book also contains fresh data on the archaeological sites dating back to the Bronze Age. Among these special mention may be made of Ojiyana, an Ahar culture site located in the Aravalli mountains. Results of the excavations carried out by the author has thrown fresh light on the protohistoric archaeology of Rajasthan.

The book contains two parts. Part I deals with centrally protected monuments and sites and Part II contains monuments protected by the State Government, monuments with erstwhile rulers, monuments under trusts and in private ownership. It is indeed an appreciable attempt to provide authentic information on such diverse monuments and sites of Rajasthan in a single volume.

Written lucidly, this strikingly illustrated volume is valuable for researchers, scholars, students, general interest readers and tourists alike.

B. R. Meena was born on 5th June 1949 at Udaipurwati, District Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan). He took his Master’s degree in History from University of Rajasthan, Jaipur in 1974. He was appointed lecturer of History in Maharani Sri Jaya College, Bharatpur and subsequently joined the Archaeological Survey of India in 1976.

Shri Meena has participated in archaeological excavations at Mathura; Sringaverpur and Bhardwaj-Ashram, District Allahabad (U.P.); Pariar, District Unnao; Hulas, District Saharanpur; Ayodhya, District Faizabad and Ramapuram, District Kurnool (A.P.). He has carried out conservation of ancient monuments of national importance in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Being son of the soil, he is greatly fascinated with the panoramic cultural assemblage of Rajasthan. He has conducted excavations at early historical site Lachhura and an Ahar culture site Ojiyana in district Bhilwara (Rajasthan). The excavation carried out by him at Ojiyana, during 2001-01, has unearthed outstanding findings/antiquities which has brought to light some of the unknown aspects of Indian history.

Shri Meena is an archaeologist, conservator and museologist of repute. He has served as Superintending Archaeologist in different Circle. Presently, he is working as Superintending Archaeologist, Building Survey Project at New Delhi.