Associate Professor (Archaeology) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, since September 2020.  He specializes in the Protohistoric Archaeology of India with a special focus on Harappan Culture, Field Archaeology, Heritage Management and the Application of Sciences in Archaeology.  He is the Archaeological Sciences Centre Coordinator at IIT Gandhinagar, fostering the application of sciences in archaeology.  Formerly, Director (of Exploration & Excavation and Institute of Archaeology) at the Archaeological Survey of India between August 2018 and September 2020.

Abstract of the lecture

Art and Architecture of West Indian Rock-Cut Caves: Case Studies from Ajanta and Ellora

The West Indian rock-cut caves, in particular from Maharashtra, are excellent sources for understanding the evolution of Buddhist art and architecture. The techniques of excavating live rocks into religious edifices started in the Magadhan region during the third century BCE. They slowly spread to the western part of India along with Buddhism. The coastal port towns in Maharashtra, like Surparaka (Sopara), Krishnagiri (Kanheri), Kalyana (Kalyan), and Puri (Elephanta), also facilitated this spread.  Among them, Kanheri is one of the largest Buddhist establishments, along with several early sites like Karle, Bhaja, Bedsa, Junnar, Nasik, and Kondane.  Apart from these, Ajanta and Ellora combined represent over one thousand years of development and spread of Buddhism.  This lecture will highlight the key concepts of Buddhist art and architecture and their evolution, coinciding with royal patronage.