Orissan History, Culture and Archaeology: In Felicitation of Prof. P.K. Mishra

Lying on India’s eastern coast, Orissa is the legendary old-world Kalinga. Which, conquered by Ashoka, metamorphosed this ‘terrible’ triumphant emperor into a ‘compassionate’, remorse-stricken votary of the Buddhist faith. Today as ever before, Orissa not just has its share in India’s glorious cultural heritage, but epitomizes its architectural marvels and at once fascinating sculptures, including the erotic figurines frozen in stone. And these are best reflected in Orissa’s profusely sculptured temples, like the Sun-god’s at Konark, Lord Jagannath’s at Puri, and Lingaraja’s at Bhubaneshwar; besides the Jaina/Buddhist rock-cut caves of Khandagiri, Udayagiri and Dhauli. This felicitation volume, occasioned by Professor Mishra’s retirement, in 1997, from the University of Sambalpur, captures the changing contours of Orissa’s society, economy, religions, cultural life, and art expressions: from the earliest times to almost the present day. In 29 essays, each authored by an area specialist, the volume embraces diverse specificities from every epoch of Orissan history, focussing notably on its prehistoric painted rock shelters, archaeological remains, ancient maritime activities, major and minor religions, Vaisnavite sculptures, stellate temples, development of education and, besides these, its various tribal, revolutionary and socio-religious reform movements during the colonial rule. Professor P.K. Mishra, (born: 19 Jan. 1937), is a distinguished Orissan historiographer, extensively published author, and scholar with wide-ranging specialized interests. Recipient of two prestigious Senior National Fellowships (of ICHR and UGC), he has also surveyed and documented the monuments in Upper Mahanadi Valley — on a Ford Foundation Project.