Reimagining Asoka Memory and History

Erscheinungsjahr 2012
ISBN: 978-0-19-807800-5
Verlag: Hurst & Co.

Buch, Englisch, 512 Seiten, Format (B × H): 144 mm x 218 mm, Gewicht: 699 g

This volume explores on the material, social, and ideological aspects of Asoka's reign in light of advances made in archaeology, epigraphy, and numismatics. Thematically divided into three parts, the first to pillars and rocks, which bear his inscriptions. The second part examines the interconnectedness of the edicts, their monumentality, and the different concept of kingship they conveyed. The third part analyses the making of the cultural memory of Asoka and raises pertinent questions crucial
for understanding the relationship between the past and the present. The essays outline the importance of Asoka not only for the Indian nation-state but also for the entire Buddhist world of South and South-east Asia. Moving away from conventional periodization of Indian history, it raises important
questions on the beginning of history and archaeology in the modern period. The book examines the extent to which nineteenth century initiatives have affected the study of Asoka and his reign.

This book will be important for scholars and students of ancient Indian history, particularly those concerned with Asoka and the Mauryas. It will also interest archaeologists and scholars of Buddhist studies.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Olivelle, Patrick

Leoshko, Janice

Ray, Himanshu Prabha

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Buddhismus Buddhismus: Leben & Praxis, Soziale Aspekte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Geschichte einzelner Länder Asiatische Geschichte

Über Autor(innen)

Patrick Olivelle is Professor, Department of Asian Studies, University of Texas, Austin. Previously, he was Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Janice Leoshko is Associate Professor, Department of Art and Art History and Associate Director of the Centre for Asian Studies, University of Texas, Austin.

Himanshu Prabha Ray is Professor, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.