Publications

Sacred architecture across cultures has often been aligned with celestial events such as solstices, equinoxes, and significant stellar risings. This study reviews global traditions of astronomical alignment and the techniques ancient builders may have used to achieve such precision, alongside contemporary methods including satellite imagery, field surveys, and astronomical simulations. Focusing on temple architecture in South India, it employs geospatial tools and simulation software to analyze orientations in relation to solar, lunar, and stellar phenomena. While preliminary, the findings reveal emerging patterns of celestial alignment and underscore the value of digital geospatial technologies in investigating the astronomical dimensions of sacred landscapes.

Geospatial technologies have transformed cultural heritage research by enabling the analysis, visualization, and interpretation of historical landscapes. They support scholars in reconstructing past geographies, mapping site distributions, identifying hidden archaeological features, and informing heritage management strategies. Spatial Narratives of India’s Heritage: Geospatial Analysis in the Humanities showcases how GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analysis enrich multidisciplinary research on India’s past. This editorial chapter introduces the volume through examples such as Lothal, Mumbai’s changing landform, Valabhi, and Hyderabad, and presents Bodh Gaya as an integrated case study. It offers a structured overview of how geospatial perspectives are advancing heritage research and conservation in India.

Mysorean rockets were an important technological innovation in eighteenth-century warfare, developed under the leadership of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. They were among the earliest iron-cased rockets used in battle and had a significant impact on military tactics of the time. This study examines the role of Mysorean rockets in eighteenth-century warfare under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, with a focus on their tactical deployment and innovative use in battles. Through an analysis of two case studies from British sieges, it explores how the Mysoreans employed rockets to disrupt enemy formations and create psychological impact. The research integrates textual sources with geospatial methods, employing GIS tools, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), and viewshed analysis to map battlefield dynamics and evaluate strategic advantages and limitations. By integrating historical narratives with modern geospatial technologies, this study examines the adaptability and effectiveness of Mysorean rockets, illustrating their role in influencing the dynamics of warfare.

This chapter examines the structural remains of Srirangapatna Fort using geospatial technologies, comparing its condition from 1800 to 2021. By generating and georeferencing a high-resolution orthophoto derived from Major General Ross’s 1800 to-scale tabletop model, and integrating satellite imagery with field-based Ground Control Points, the study employs QGIS to identify, digitize, and map fort features. The analysis documents morphological changes resulting from historical events, particularly the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War and the 1799 siege. The study demonstrates the utility of GIS and remote sensing in archaeological research and contributes a valuable spatial dataset for heritage conservation and future excavation initiatives.

Kutch, in western India, is a unique region described by Burnes and Dossal as “a land Without a Counterpart on the Globe” and is referenced in ancient texts and cartographic records. Continuously inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, including a large number of Harappan civilisation settlements, it holds significant archaeological, historical, and maritime importance. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, along with the works of Ptolemy, Linschoten, and Rennell, collectively depict Kutch as a land of both peril and fascination, blending myth, observation, and experience to highlight its enduring allure and challenges. The present chapter focuses on the historical perceptions as well as the geographical setting of Kutch. This paper explores descriptions from four major historical sources: the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, accounts of Claudius Ptolemy, John Huyghen van Linschoten, and James Rennell. These accounts, along with associated maps or maps made later based on these descriptions, offer diverse perspectives on Kutch’s historical geography and landscape. The present research identifies Kutch’s portrayal in ancient records, including its maritime hazards as noted in the Periplus and its geographical description in Ptolemy’s Geographia. Linschoten and Rennell contribute to later interpretations, highlighting navigational marvels and terrestrial features. Analysis of seven historical maps provides insights into the evolving understanding of Kutch’s shape, location, morphological evolution, and environmental changes over time. Geospatial tools, including digital elevation models, were employed to reconstruct the terrain and analyse features described in historical sources. The study underscores the complexities in interpreting historical data and the interplay between myth and observation in shaping perceptions of Kutch's enigmatic landscape. This chapter contributes to a deeper understanding of the historical geography of Kutch, linking ancient narratives with modern spatial analysis techniques.

This volume offers fresh perspectives on the use of geospatial analysis in cultural heritage and the humanities. By integrating spatial data and analytical techniques, it demonstrates how digital tools can enrich historical inquiry, spatial storytelling, and interdisciplinary research. Featuring a unique collection of case studies from across India, the book highlights innovative applications of geospatial technology in understanding and preserving the country’s diverse heritage. Through real-world examples spanning regions and time periods, it showcases the transformative potential of geospatial methods in heritage research. An essential resource for scholars of Indian history, archaeology, and heritage studies, the volume also serves as an inspiration for future work in the digital humanities globally.