Religious Process
The Purāṇas and the Making of a Regional Tradition
Price: 595.00 INR
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ISBN:
9780199482542
Publication date:
15/01/2018
Paperback
380 pages
Price: 595.00 INR
We sell our titles through other companies
Disclaimer :You will be redirected to a third party website.The sole responsibility of supplies, condition of the product, availability of stock, date of delivery, mode of payment will be as promised by the said third party only. Prices and specifications may vary from the OUP India site.
ISBN:
9780199482542
Publication date:
15/01/2018
Paperback
380 pages
Kunal Chakrabarti
This book traces the evolution of a process of interaction between brahmanism and the indigenous social groups of Bengal during the early medieval period. Addressing two significant methodological issues—the reading of didactic Sanskritic texts for the reconstruction of early Indian history, and the application of contemporary anthropological concepts to such texts to help elucidate cultural contestations—Chakrabarti examines a civilizational process fundamental to the unfolding of Indian history.
Rights: World Rights
Kunal Chakrabarti
Description
This book traces the evolution of a process of interaction between brahmanism and the indigenous social groups of Bengal during the early medieval period. Addressing two significant methodological issues—the reading of didactic Sanskritic texts for the reconstruction of early Indian history, and the application of contemporary anthropological concepts to such texts to help elucidate cultural contestations—Chakrabarti examines a civilizational process fundamental to the unfolding of Indian history.
The Bengal Purāṇas adopted the cult of the goddess as the medium of assimilation of local cultural forms, and it was on the shared understanding of this common cult that the earliest foundation of Bengal’s regional tradition was laid. The book argues that the Puranic synthesis in Bengal generated for the first time the necessary cultural resource that enabled the diverse communities to acquire a regional cultural identity.
About the Author
Kunal Chakrabartiis Professor of Ancient History at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
Kunal Chakrabarti
Table of contents
Acknowledgements vii
Abbreviations x
I. Introduction 1
II. Texts and traditions The Bengal Purāṇas 44
III. Cultural Interaction and Religious Process 81
IV. The Diffusion of Brahminism and the Transformation of Buddhism 109
V. Appropriation as a Historical Process: The Cult of the Goddess 165
VI. Vratas: The Transmission of Brahminical Culture 234
VII. The Making of the Regional Tradition of Bengal 288
Bibliography 338
Index 362
Kunal Chakrabarti
Kunal Chakrabarti
Review
‘The Bengali regional tradition is one of the richest, and Kunal Chakrabarti has given us a fascinating map … with which to begin to explore it.’
—David Shulman
‘[A]n outstanding interdisciplinary contribution to Bengal Studies…. [T]he value of the book lies also in illuminating the social processes that generally make the cultural history of India.’
—T. N. Madan
Description
This book traces the evolution of a process of interaction between brahmanism and the indigenous social groups of Bengal during the early medieval period. Addressing two significant methodological issues—the reading of didactic Sanskritic texts for the reconstruction of early Indian history, and the application of contemporary anthropological concepts to such texts to help elucidate cultural contestations—Chakrabarti examines a civilizational process fundamental to the unfolding of Indian history.
The Bengal Purāṇas adopted the cult of the goddess as the medium of assimilation of local cultural forms, and it was on the shared understanding of this common cult that the earliest foundation of Bengal’s regional tradition was laid. The book argues that the Puranic synthesis in Bengal generated for the first time the necessary cultural resource that enabled the diverse communities to acquire a regional cultural identity.
About the Author
Kunal Chakrabartiis Professor of Ancient History at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
Reviews
‘The Bengali regional tradition is one of the richest, and Kunal Chakrabarti has given us a fascinating map … with which to begin to explore it.’
—David Shulman
‘[A]n outstanding interdisciplinary contribution to Bengal Studies…. [T]he value of the book lies also in illuminating the social processes that generally make the cultural history of India.’
—T. N. Madan
Table of contents
Acknowledgements vii
Abbreviations x
I. Introduction 1
II. Texts and traditions The Bengal Purāṇas 44
III. Cultural Interaction and Religious Process 81
IV. The Diffusion of Brahminism and the Transformation of Buddhism 109
V. Appropriation as a Historical Process: The Cult of the Goddess 165
VI. Vratas: The Transmission of Brahminical Culture 234
VII. The Making of the Regional Tradition of Bengal 288
Bibliography 338
Index 362
