Category: Archaeology
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Downloads
Welcome to the Downloads section of Ajantapaedia. This area serves as a comprehensive resource hub for individuals and institutions interested in the extensive research and documentation efforts of Ajantapaedia and the broader initiative, BICEP (Buddhist Indian Cave Encyclopaedia Project). Here, you will find a selection of documents pivotal to understanding the scope, objectives, and foundational…
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Ajantapaedia Project Volunteer Logbook
1. Foundational Contributions (Started in June 2019) Volunteer Name Role/Position Contribution Details Duration Notable Achievements Dr. Rajesh Kumar Singh Principal Editor, Author, Curator Photographic collection of Ajanta Caves, permissions from Archaeological Survey of India. Ongoing Immersive visual experience creation Himanshu Desai Designer Designed the second iteration of the project’s prototype. June 2019 Prototype design for…
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The Ajantapaedia Project Milestones
Introduction Dear Ajanta enthusiasts and patrons, we’re excited to unveil the roadmap for our Ajantapaedia Project, dedicated to the Ajanta Caves. As we embark on this ambitious journey, our first and foremost task is to secure the necessary funding, sponsorship, and institutional support. This foundational step is crucial to realise our vision for an online…
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History
Prototype Development / Proof of Concept Development Iteration 1 (2014) The journey began in 2014, inspired by Prof. Debashish Nayak’s persistent encouragement to share my resources online for broader awareness and research. I devoted six months of my time, dedicating 8 hours each day, along with a significant amount of personal funds, to launch a…
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CNDA or Coded Nomenclature for Digital Assets: Streamlining India’s Buddhist Cave Temples Archaeology
1. Introduction Welcome to our digital journey through the ancient marvels of Ajanta. In this endeavour, we face the unique challenge of organizing and managing an extensive array of digital assets without a traditional Digital Asset Management (DAM) system. Each cave, with its plethora of photographs and artifacts, represents a distinct narrative thread in the…
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Building an Online Repository of Buddhist Rock-Cut Monuments
From its inception, this website has been predominantly a solo endeavor. In 2019, I briefly collaborated with academic peers and friends, but without sustainable funding, the collaboration lasted only two weeks. During that period, friends like Deven Oza, Himanshu Desai, and Sandeep Joshi lent their expertise. Deven, an animation artist with a studio in Baroda,…
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Buddhist Rock-Cut Architecture
Overview Rock-cut monuements were begun initially for the Ajivikas patronized first by Asoka, the Mauryan Emperor. Those caves are in the Barabar and Narjuni Hills in Bihar. Since then the Buddhists adopted the medium of rock-cut architecture and continued with the tradition for more than one millenia. Later on the Jains and Hindus also joined…
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Preface
With a blend of personal commitment and scholarly pursuit, I introduce Ajantapaedia, a digital encyclopaedia dedicated to the Ajanta Caves, beginning with the profound exploration of Cave 1. This initial endeavour is not just a solitary effort but a proof of concept, laying the foundation for a comprehensive project that aspires to encompass all 34…
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Acknowledgements
Ajantapaedia: An Academic Endeavour Ajantapaedia, the Online Encyclopaedia of the Ajanta Caves, represents an academic project akin to a multi-volume book, under the principal editorship, authorship, and curation of Dr. Rajesh Kumar Singh. This platform symbolizes the unity of collaborative efforts, generous support, and shared expertise from a myriad of individuals and organizations. Photographic Collection…
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Frontier Research at Ajantapaedia
Embracing the Multidisciplinary Approach In the realm of Ajantapaedia, we delve into a multidisciplinary approach that employs a diverse range of tools, investigations, and methodologies. Our commitment is to adhere to the highest scientific principles of ‘frontier’ research and documentation within the social sciences and humanities. This commitment positions our database not just as a…