Category: Ajantapaedia

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Development plan

    Development plan

    The following is a tentative road-map to develop the database in the course of fifteen years. Some of the stages may develop simultaneously: 1. Commissioning of curators, and module curationsOrganising the photographic collection of R. K. SinghOptimising the photos for uploadingInsertion of metadata and keywordsProviding titles to the photosEmbedding of Google Street-viewsField tours 2. Re-organising…

  • The Rationale Page from the Proof of Concept, v. 1.2

    The Rationale Page from the Proof of Concept, v. 1.2

    Exploring India’s Rock-Cut Heritage: An Online Repository Overview This website is dedicated to being a comprehensive repository of information on the rock-cut monuments, art, and architecture of ancient India. Designed as a reference tool for researchers, scholars, students, and enthusiasts, our goal is to foster general awareness and stimulate in-depth studies, discussions, and scientific research…