Contents: Introduction. 1. Neolithic and post-Neolithic cultures of Orissa: an overview/K.K. Basa. 2. Chalcolithic culture of Orissa/S. Pradhan. 3. Painted rock-shelters of Orissa/S. Pradhan. 4. Orissa during the Gupta age/G.S. Patel. 5. Archaeological investigations in the coast of Cilika lake/P.K. Mohanty. 6. Maritime activities of the Kalingas, new light thrown by the excavations at Khalkatapatna/B.K. Sinha. 7. Archaeological remains of South Orissa: a note on the Jain Temple of Subei/S.K. Panda. 8. Society in medieval Orissa, (AD 600-950)/Satyabati Pradhan. 9. The Bhanjas of Khinjali Mandala/J. Mahapatra. 10. Major religions of Orissa: a review/K.C. Mishra. 11. Minor religious sects of Orissa/B. Pradhan. 12. Visnu-worship in Orissa/S.K. Patel. 13. Sun-worship in Orissa/S. Bedbak. 14. The reclining images of Visnu: a study/P.K. Nayak. 15. Chaurasi plate of Sivakaradeva: a new look/S.K. Acharya. 16. Stellate temples of Orissa/J.K. Pattnaik. 17. Radha and her contour in Orissan culture/Baba Mishra. 18. Decline of the North Orissan ports/H.C. Panda. 19. Orissan culture in transit: Indo-Thai relations/P.P. Mishra. 20. British ring-fence policy towards the state of Mayurbhanj/D.B. Kabi. 21. British impact on Orissa in the nineteenth century/A. Swain. 22. Tribal movements in Orissa during the British rule/A. Das. 23. Socio-religious reform Movements in Orissa in the nineteenth century/Mamata Bisoi. 24. Collegiate education in Orissa during the nineteenth century/A.K. Patel. 25. Language crisis in Sambalpur, 1895-1903/A.K. Mishra. 26. The Indian revolutionary movement in the twenties and its perception of violence/A.K. Pattanaik. 27. Some aspects of socio-economic history of Orissa, 1912-47/A.K. Kar. 28. Contributions of Paralakhemundi Zamindari to the literary activities of Orissa/R.C. Misro and S.K. Dash. 29. Development of education in the post-independence Orissa/J.K. Samal. Index.
"Lying on India's Eastern Coast, Orissa is the legendary old-world Kalinga, which, conquered by Asoka, metamorphosed this 'terrible' triumphant emperor into a 'compassionate', remorse-stricken votary of the Buddhist faith. Today as ever before, Orissa not just has its share in India's glorious cultural heritage, but epitomizes its architectural marvels and at once fascinating sculptures, including the erotic figurines frozen in stone. And these are best reflected in Orissa's profusely sculptured temples, like the Sun-God's at Konarka, Lord Jagannath's at Puri, and Lingaraja's at Bhubaneswar; besides the Jaina/Buddhist rock-cut caves of Khandagiri, Udayagiri and Dhauli.
This felicitation volume, occasioned by Professor Mishra's retirement, in 1997, from the University of Sambalpur, captures the changing contours of Orissa's society, economy, religions, cultural life, and art expressions--from the earliest times to almost the present day. In 29 essays, each authored by an area specialist, the volume embraces diverse specificities from every epoch of Orissan history, focusing notably on its prehistoric painted rock shelters, archaeological remains, ancient maritime activities, major and minor religions, Vaisnavite sculptures, stellate temples, development of education and besides these, its various tribal, revolutionary and socio-religious reform movements during the colonial rule." (jacket)
