This volume is a collection of essays by eminent scholars on the Indian seafaring and maritime activity. It covers a wide range of subjects exploring both the pan-Indian and the regional dimensions of the theme. The contributions of different regions of India are analysed in the general framework of Indian History.
The sea-trade and cultural links with the outside world, especially with Rome, Sri Lanka, and South-east Asia are discussed on the basis of textual sources and archaeological data. Some of the papers throw light on the indigenous boat types with reference to their technique of construction and navigation. The ordinary and reversed clinker-built boats, found in coastal Orissa, highlight the need for serious investigation into the changing tradition of boat building and navigation. The stimulating papers, based on previous and most recent research, collectively provide a clear and coherent picture of the great seafaring tradition of India from the ancient times to the 17th century. It is hoped that the volume will be useful to scholars, as well as anyone with interest in the seafaring.
The photographic documentation at the end is a marvellous tribute to the rich maritime history and heritage of India.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR K S Behera
Dr. Karuna Sagar Behera, born on 5th December, 1939 at Angul, was educated in Angul High School, Angul and Revenshaw College, Cuttack He earned M.A in History in 1960 from Utkal University with first position He obtained Post-Graduate Diploma in Archaeology from the School of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi He was awarded the Degree of Doctor of Literature by Utkal University for his study of Konarak. He joined Orssa Educational serviceman 1961 and in 1962, he was appointed as Lecturer in the Post-Graduate Department of History, Utkal University Subsequently he held the position of Reader in History and became a Professor in 1976 He has contributed to the academic life of the University as Professor and Head of the Post-Graduate Department of History, Chairman of the Post-Graduate Council, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Member of the Syndicate of the University for four years. He was the President of the on Sa History Congress, Member of the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology, Govt of India and Member of the Governing Body of the National Council of Science Museums His foreign visits include Germany, Finland, U K , Chinaand Indonesia. He has published several articles on Orson History, Culture, Art and Archaeology He is the author of Temples of Orssa, Konarak The Heritage of Mankind (2 vols.) and Sculptural Masterpieces from Orssa Style and Iconography (co-author) He has also contributed to Orssa Bibliography and Orssa Gazetteers. He is at present Professor of History, Utkal University and Director, Oscine Institute of Maritime and South-east Asian Studies in Bhubaneswar, Orissa He is currently conducting research into indigenous tradition of boat-building and navigation in the Indian Ocean.
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