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Role of Remote Sensing in Archaeology
with Special Reference to Jainology Around the Gwalior Fort
Dr. P. K. Jain
29
Abstruct
Remote sensing is a wide variety of high-tech methods to get the information about the object under investigation without physical contact through the analysis of RSD which is acquired by a device. On other hand, archaeology is an art and science to study the story of man's past through his material remains and Jainology deals the history of Jainism with special architectural characteristics of sculptures. Remote sensing techniques are very useful to study the archaeological & Jainological sites in the recent world.
From the archaeological point of view, very important "Gwalior fort" lies between the Cartesian coordinates 26°12'35" to 26°14'06" N and 78°09'45" to 78°10'32" E. Several monuments are present around and top of the fort. Monuments namely Man Mandir Palace, Teli Ka Mandir, Sas Bahu ka Mandir etc. are present at the top of the fort besides Jain colossi are seen at Urwahi Gate and Gopachal (Ek Patther ki Bawri) around the Gwalior fort. Jain colossi are made within the fort hill of sandstone of Kaimur formation (Upper Vindhyan Group). The said archaeological monuments sites can be marked and study with the help of RSD (satellite Image IRS ID, L-3, MAP ID-54 J/4, Geocoded, scale - 1:50:000), SOI map of same ID & scale and by GPS. The detail study of Jainological sites can be done only through the availability of high resolution of data.
Introduction
Remote sensing means sensing of the earth surface from space by making use of the properties of electromagnetic wave emitted, reflected or diffracted by the sensed objects, for the purpose of improving natural resource management, land use and the protection of the environment" (Joseph, 2004).
Remote sensing is a technique or tool to locate and study the archaeological sites through the analysis of Remotely Sensed Data (RSD) without touching and going to site. RSD are acquired from the airborne and spaceborne platform by Aircraft and satellite, both are the
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