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Based on an international seminar on art and archaeology of Madhya Pradesh and adjoining regions, the volume presents papers submitted at an international seminar by scholars in diverse fields on the rich art and architectural wealth of the state of Madhya Pradesh.

The archaeological excavations carried out in Madhya Pradesh in particular have revealed its importance in understanding the development of culture and civilisation in the region. The papers presented here discuss the contributions of Madhya Pradesh archaeologically. They deal with various phases of the history and evolution of art and architecture, sculpture and iconography here: the Chalcolithic and Ahar cultural phases, Harappan and the Indo-Aryan presence of the Rigvedic period, the Magadha and Buddhist periods among others. It focuses on the excavation work carried out in different sites including Navda Toli, Maheshwar, Amonda, Dewas, Bhimbetka and Gwalior and takes up diverse themes to throw light on various aspects of the Chalcolithic phase in central India including the Chalcolithic blade industry, early religious art and its representation of women, the rock art and evolution of painting. With numerous illustrations, the volume examines subjects like epigraphical and pictorial evidences of performing rural magical rituals of ancient Magadha in the Vindhya region and the need of participation of the community in preservation and conservation of archaeological material.