First Seminar on Regional Heritage in Hadoti

Kota, J The Hadoti region is a testament to India's rich history, where integrating creators and creations can accelerate the understanding of historical narratives. Archaeology is no longer just a subject of history; it has now expanded into multiple disciplines. These views were expressed by Prof. Deviprasad Tiwari, Vice Chancellor of Jai Minesh University, Kota, during the first-ever seminar on Hadoti's regional heritage. The one-day seminar was jointly organized by Hind Ki Sanskritik Virasat Group and the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Baran, at Dharamada Dharamshala, Baran.

Prof. Tiwari highlighted the discovery of ostrich eggs near Chandresal in Hadoti, some bearing paintings that date back 30,000–40,000 years, suggesting ostriches once roamed this region. The area is rich in prehistoric shelters, ancient monasteries, temples, and sculptures. He emphasized the importance of scientific analysis, such as carbon dating, for determining the timeline of artifacts and advocated for more research on the communities behind the paintings found in rock shelters. Encouragingly, he noted the growing interest of the younger generation in history.

Plans for Atru and Shergarh

Presiding over the seminar, Technical Superintendent of the Archaeology and Museum Department in Jaipur, Dharamjeet Kaur, announced plans for special projects in Atru, Shergarh, and Dhumen in Baran district, alongside surveys in other areas. She praised the seminar's efforts to raise awareness about preserving heritage and lauded the public’s engagement.

Research Papers on Heritage

The seminar saw 18 scholars present detailed research papers via PPTs. Notable presentations included:

Dharmendra Kumar: Women’s contribution to stepwell construction

Hansraj Nagar: Rock art of Hadoti

Kuldeep Bhargava: Artistic grandeur of Krishna Vilas

Dr. Hemlata Vaishnav: Sculptural beauty of Bhanddevra Temple

Dr. Anupama Panwar: Navdurga Chamunda idol at Jhalawar Museum

Dr. Mukti Parashar: Shiva temple of Urna in Hadoti

Narendra Meena: Sculptural aesthetics of Shei idol in Baroli
The research papers covered various heritage aspects, including the preserved sculptures in Bundi Museum and temples in Malwa.

Concerns Over Neglect of Heritage

Renowned numismatist R.C. Thakur expressed concern over the neglect of local scholars despite India's vast heritage. His coin exhibition became a central attraction. Rakesh Sharma from Atru presented a pictorial display of Baran district's prehistoric, archaeological, and historical heritage through PowerPoint.

Call for Continued Seminars

Special guest Balwinder Singh Gill, MD of Kota Central Cooperative Bank, emphasized the need for regular heritage-focused seminars. Historian Lalit Sharma, who introduced the guests, noted that this was the first seminar of its kind in Hadoti and anticipated long-term positive outcomes, such as increased awareness and government focus on archaeological sites.

Honors and Highlights

Historian Gajendra Singh Yadav, known for his extensive writings on heritage, was felicitated. Guests were welcomed by Dr. Mukti Parashar, Hansraj Nagar, and Dr. Hemlata Vaishnav. The event was coordinated by Hansraj Nagar and Dr. Hemlata Vaishnav, with gratitude extended by Gayatri Sharma.

Esteemed attendees included Dr. Anjana Singh Gaur (Ujjain), Dr. Manju Yadav, Shweta Pathak, Dr. Rajesh Meena, and Dr. Ekta Vyas, among others. Scholars presented insights on archaeological treasures from various regions, drawing a large audience of historians and researchers.

Echoes Beyond Baran

Historian Lalit Sharma revealed that the seminar's success has reached Rajasthan History Congress, Jodhpur, and Rajasthan Epigraphy Congress, Bikaner. Additionally, discussions are underway about publishing the annual research journal Sanskriti Vaibhav.

Report by Dr. Prabhat Kumar Singhal
Author and Journalist, Kota