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The Phantom

@PrasunNagar

12 Jan

Chapter 2: Direct Evidences from Indian Sculpture, Paintings and Coins

The chapter would detail on the evidences of ancient Indian shipping from monuments, paintings and coins.

द्विषो॑ नो विश्वतोमु॒खाति॑ ना॒वेव॑ पारय।
स न॒: सिन्धु॑मिव ना॒वयाति॑ पर्षा स्व॒स्तये॑ ||

"Do Thou Whose countenance is turned to all sides, send off our
adversaries, as if in a ship to the opposite shore ; & convey us in a ship across the sea for our welfare."

-- RV, I, 97,7,8

There are several representations of ships & boats in old Indian art.

The earliest of them are found at Sanchi.

One of the Eastern gateway of number 1 stupa at Sanchi represents a canoe made up of rough planks, rudely strewn together by hemp or string.

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The Phantom

@PrasunNagar

9 Jan

Chapter 1: Maritime Activity in Indian Literature

The ancient shipbuilders had a good knowledge of the material and the varities which went into the making of ships.

'Vriksha Ayurveda' or the science of plant life lists four different kinds of wood:

1) Brahmin class of wood, which is light & soft & can be easily joined to any other kind of wood;

2) Kshatriya class is light & hard, & can be joined to other classes of wood;

3) Vaisya kind is soft and heavy; and

4) Sudra class, which is hard and heavy

According to Bhojā - an earliest authority on shipbuilding, a ship built of Kshatriya class of wood brings wealth & happiness. It is these ships, that were used as means of voyage.

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The Phantom

@PrasunNagar

5 Jan

The first thread of the year will be on Ancient Indian Maritime trade.

The thread would be of several chapters and would detail ancient India's maritime trade and development from Indus valley till the 7th century AD.

Prologue

The features of India, indeed is full of contrasts in physical features and climates, but the features that divides and isolates the country are too clear to overlook.

Mountain-guarded in the North, sea in the south, deserts in the west, India looks as if she had been meant by nature to remain isolated from the rest of the world and to develop her culture in isolation.

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The Phantom

@PrasunNagar

30 Nov 21

The Legend of Prithvivallabh

'Prithvivallabh' is a Gujarati historical novel by K.M.Munshi, published in 1921.

The novel describes the rivalry between King Munja and Tailap & the love-affair between Munja and princess Mrinalvati.

Historically, the main character of the novel is King Munja ( 972-994 AD), who was the king of Paramara dynasty ruling parts of Central and Western India.

Munja was from a long line of kings, which was made famous by his illustrious nephew, King Bhoja ( 1010-1055 AD).

Munja, during his kingship made many wars and tried to conquer the Western Chalukyas ruled by Tailap-II (973-997 AD).

Image of a kannada inscription of Tailap

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The Phantom

@PrasunNagar

25 Nov 21

Indian Scholars to China

We have all heard about Fa-Hien and Xuanzang, who came to india and wrote memorable accounts of their expeditions.

However, very few people know that between 100 AD to 11th century AD, there was an influx of Indian scholars who visited China.

The names of these scholars are as under:

1st Century AD

1) Kāsyapa Mātanga & Dharmaratna

From 100 - 500 AD

1) Samghavarman;
2) Dharmakala;
3) Kālaruchi;
4) Dharmapala;
5) Vighna;
6) Mahābala;
7) Lokaraksha

Between 500-600 AD

1) Dharmavena;
2) Buddhasānta;
3) Gautama;
4) Upasūnya;
5) Vimokshena

From 600- 11th century AD

1) Prabhakarmitra: Went to China in 627 AD, translated some Buddhist works, died in 633 AD.

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The Phantom

@PrasunNagar

15 Nov 21

Indian Ascetics as observed by the Greeks in 4th century BCE

India, in the fourth century BC, and indeed , since the rise of Jainism and Buddhism in the fifth century BCE had been noted for the multiplicity of its schools and sects of ascetics.

Their forerunners were the wandering ascetics of the Vedic days , the ' Charakas', and, later, the 'Parivrajakas', followed by pre-Buddhistic sects like 'Ajvikās' ( who went about naked), the 'Nirgranthas' ( of scanty clothing) , the 'Jatilakas', and the like.

The Greeks who invaded India, under Alexander between 327-325 BCE, have left an account of their impressions on these ascetics.

The works of Arrian, Plutarch, et al provide an important information on the meetings between the Greeks and the Indian ascetics.

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