Publications

This paper examines the impact of environmental change on traditional ironworking societies in the Chotanagpur Plateau, in Eastern India, particularly in Purulia (West Bengal) and Hazaribagh and Chatra (Jharkhand). Part of the Iron Belt due to the rich mineral resources,  traditionally these regions were home to communities of indigenous iron smelters and blacksmiths such as the Asur, Lohra, Karmakar, and Karmali. The paper explores the ecological sustainability of  traditional ironworking in the light of decline due to factors such as past forest laws, deforestation, industrial mining activities, changing climatic patterns, and technological change. 

This paper examines the impact of environmental change on traditional ironworking societies in the Chotanagpur Plateau, in Eastern India, particularly in Purulia (West Bengal) and Hazaribagh and Chatra (Jharkhand). Part of the Iron Belt due to the rich mineral resources,  traditionally these regions were home to communities of indigenous iron smelters and blacksmiths such as the Asur, Lohra, Karmakar, and Karmali. The paper explores the ecological sustainability of  traditional ironworking in the light of decline due to factors such as past forest laws, deforestation, industrial mining activities, changing climatic patterns, and technological change. 

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.