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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
ગ્રંથસમીક્ષા :
'Steps of Indology' By Dr. Ramjibhai Savalia, Publish, B.J. Institute of learning. & Research, H.K. College Campus, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad-9. First Edition 2009, Price: 200-00
It was K.M. Munshi, the founder of the world-renowned Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, who first used the word 'Asmita', that is, Gujarat's pride and identity. It is in keeping with this spirit of Munshi that Dr. Ramjibhai Savalia has recently come out with the publication "Steps of Indology" wherein he has glorified the history and culture of Gujarat. Gujarat's identity is manifested in a variety of ways-its business culture, phailianthropic activities, and Mahatma Gandhi's activities during the freedom struggle. Gujarat's identity is also expressed through its magnificent Art and Architecture, maritime activities and the spirit of co-operation and religious tolerance. The author has developed this theme which indicates both his intense involvement and professional skills as a cultural historian of Gujarat. Currently the acting Director of the famous B.J. Institute of learning and Reserch, he has studied the basic sources required for the study of different aspets of the Gujarat culture and civilization.
The book starts with the Art-Heritage of the ancient colonizers of Gujarat, followed by a chapter on the "Proto-historic Urban settlement of Kaccha-Dholavira." The starting point is the great Harappan culture which was expressed 5000 years ago through the maritime and other activities in the Lothal and Dholavira Culture. The author states that the ancient Gujaratis believed in the value associated with trade and commerce. They were not political but cultural colonizers.
To communicate with the readers Dr. Savalia has provided a useful map showing principal sites explored and excavated since independence. This map along with the discription of Art and Architecture of Dholavira and other sites of Gujarat becames very lively. The Harrapan civilization which developed in Gujarat was, thus, the product of a variety of factors-agricultural prosperity, wise rulers, artisans and artists, merchants and navigators. In those days Gujarat traded in the far off oversees regions including Mesopotamia and Babylonia which covers the present Iraq. The author concludes his first. chapter with the following words:
"Other than these, numerous archaeological remains showing the artistic attitude of the ancient colonizers have been found during the major and minor excavations made in Gujarat, which is studied profoundly. We get the glimpse of the artistic richness of our ancient people. The ancient colonizers of India and Gujarat could be seen as exhibiting their fondness for art through various mediums. Through the various shapes and types of the vessels, the paintings on them, various ornaments made from materials for decorating the body, the idols and sculptures, the figures of beasts and birds, one gets the glimpse of the heritage of the art of the ancient colonizers found during the major and minor excavations made in Gujarat."
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સામીપ્ય : પુ. ૨૫, અંક ૩-૪, ઓક્ટો. ૨૦૦૮ માર્ચ, ૨૦૦૯
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