Essay name: The Sculptures of Madan-Kamdev (Study)
Author:
Kamal Nayan Patowary
Affiliation: Gauhati University / Department of History
The essay critically studies the Sculptures of Madan-Kamdev: an archaeological site in Baihata Chariali, Kamrup, Assam (India) dating back to the 9th century A.D. The site features elegant sculptures in relief and round forms which are documented in Sanskrit texts like the Kalika Purana and Yogini Tantra.
Chapter 2 - Madan-Kamdev through the ages鈥擜 hypothetical analysis
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External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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distance of eight miles on the north-western direction of modern
north Guwahati. 28 This geographical location is very supportive
one to place Madan-Kamdeva at the close proximity of the Silsako
which normally highten the scope to consider Madan-Kamdeva as
a sheltering house for the huge Bakhtiyar army. However, when
we visited the very site of Silsako, no relics are there to survive for
us, but still, people's (of this locality) strong argument has left no
other alternative for us, but to accept the presumption made by
Tarini Kanta Sarmah and to wait for future archaeological
discoveries to have more light on the subject.
SECTION : 2.3
Madan-Kamdeva and Its Construction :
A)
At Royal Initiatives :
Referring to the problem of its date of construction,
the gurdian authority of this famous archaeological site, the
Directorate of Archaeology, Assam, has made it confirmed that
Madan-Kamdeva is a product of 11th/12th century A.D, when the
mightly Pala rulers had maintained their rule in Kamrupa (as the
sign board at the very entrance of the temple complex has referred
to us). Earlier, the same authority, however presumed it as being
a product of 10th/12th century A.D. 29 Dr. P. C. Sarma, on the other
hand, has put forwarded a view that stylistically, the time of
construction of this temple can be dated to the 12th century A.D..
Without entangling much into this controversy at this stage of our
study, here we would simply like to examine all those confirmation
28.
=
Barpujari, H.K.(ed.): Op-cit, 1990, p.170.
29. Kalita, K.K.(ed.) : Op-cit, 2003, p.14.
