Speaker : Arya S Pradeep
Conservation architect (formerly Project Associate, NIAS)
Chairperson : M B Rajani
Associate Professor, Heritage Science and Society, NIAS
Abstract: Between the 5th and 8th centuries CE, the ancient city of Valabhi occupied a very significant spot in the cultural geography of the Saurashtra region (the landmass between the Gulfs of Kutch and Khambat) of Gujarat, India. Vallabhipur, a city roughly 30km inland to the west of the Gulf of Khambat has been identified with ancient Valabhi, which was the administrative capital of the Maitraka dynasty during this time span. Apart from being the capital of Maitrakas, Valabhi was also a very important center for Buddhism and trade as has been attested through the existence of numerous monasteries that dotted this ancient capital and its environs according to the Copper Plate Grants issued by the Maitraka sovereigns, and also by 7th century CE records of Chinese visitors such as Xuanzang and Yijing.
By analysing historical literature, remote sensing data, and utilizing geospatial analytics, the study seeks to determine the presence of the fortification in the ancient capital and the locations of certain monastic establishments within the environs of the city of Vallabhipur. Additionally, it examines the geomorphological changes in the surrounding landscape, as the site is believed to have served as a port during the period from the 5th to 8th centuries CE. The talk will discuss the findings from a multidisciplinary research including historical literature review, Geospatial analyses and field visit for ground verification
About the speaker: Arya is an architect specialising in built heritage resources. At NIAS she was a Project Associate (Feb 2021 - Dec 2023) with Dr. M.B.Rajani in a project on Geo-archaeology funded by the Space Applications Centre of ISRO. Her current research focuses on Cultural Landscapes. This involves the paleo-topographic reconstruction of such landscapes using GIS and Remote Sensing. Her interests include Design theory and Criticism, Architectural History, Cultural Anthropology, Historiography, Coastal Geomorphology, Maritime trade and Buddhist associations. She loves satires and is an occasional cartoonist.