Religion in Early Assam: An Archaeological History
This volume offers a fresh approach to the existing literature on religion in Early Assam, bringing together perspectives from the fields of archaeology, religion, history and heritage. For decades, the Naraka legend has been incorporated into history without due critical attention and analysis of the historical context, while archaeological studies in religion have been largely descriptive. The sacred landscape of the erstwhile Prāgjyotiṣa and Kāmarūpa kingdoms had linkages with the history of other parts of India, and beyond. This book offers a comprehensive reconstruction of religion in Early Assam based on an exhaustive use of archaeological sources. It opens with a useful overview of the conceptual and methodological foundations of religion, archaeology and history. Heritage conservation of sacred sites such as Kāmākhyā which face the impact of rapid urbanization illustrates implications for Assam’s history and identity.
Dr Rena Laisram teaches at the Department of History of Gauhati University, India. After completion of a Master of Arts degree at Delhi University, she began formal research at the Centre for Historical Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. She is the author of Early Meitei History: Religion, Society and the Manipur Puyas (2009) and The Growth and Development of Meitei Nationality: A Historical Approach (1998). Her research paper “Empowerment of Women through Education: The Role of Open and Distance Learning in Northeast India” was a UNESCO Commissioned Paper. She has published widely on religion, culture and identity in Northeast India, with particular reference to Assam and Manipur. She is a member of the Indian Art History Congress, the Indian Association for Women’s Studies, the North East India History Association, the Oral History Association of India and the Assam Research Society. A recipient of fellowships from the Indian Council for Historical Research, the Indian Council for Social Science Research and the University Grants Commission, she is currently engaged in research on oral history in Northeast India. She was elected Secretary of the Oral History Association of India (2016-17), and is currently Associate Editor of the Journal of History and Culture.
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