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This paper examines the vexing problem of the beginnings of Hindu monastic system (maṭha) and traces its subsequent history during the early medieval period (9- 12th centuries CE). The origins of the system can be traced from a variety of significant traditions: asceticism, religious identity, and lineage that continued to play a predominant role in the transformation of the monastic orders. Asceticism inspired the pontiffs of the monastery to establish their own orders particularly in Central and South India and led to a proliferation of these unique institutions. Based on epigraphical, literary, and relevant historical sources, it is possible to contend that the foundations of the monastic system were laid between the fifth and ninth centuries CE, while their growth as multifaceted institutions occurred between the ninth and twelfth centuries CE. The Saiva monasteries, particularly the Saiva Siddhānta, Pasupata, and Kalamukha orders in Central India, Tamilnadu, and Karnataka flourished as semi-independent institutions. Maṭhas differed from formal educational institutions as well as āśramas in various ways. An inquiry into their organization and contemporary context during the decline of Buddhism and the rise of militant Saiva kings provides insight into their role during a crucial period of history of India.

​​​​​​​Key Words: Asceticism, Education, Hindu monastery, Saiva, South India.

Northeast of the Iranian plateau is one of the least known geographical areas in the field of Paleolithic studies, and despite numerous archaeological studies conducted in this part of the plateau, very little attention has been paid to studying the Pleistocene Age. The present research provides the results of an archaeological survey in the inter-mountain plain of Dargaz located in the northern slopes of the Kope Dagh mountain chains. Of the 35 registered sites, evidence of the Paleolithic period was identified in three points of the mentioned plain. Shamkhal collection in the westernmost point of Dargaz plain, the Artian site in the middle of the plain and the collection gathered from Zarrin Kouh, which is located near a canyon overlooking the vast plain of Atak and Lotfabad, are among the sites that can be attributed to the Pleistocene era. The presence of heavy-duty tools and scrapers, as well as thick flakes, along with a three-sided sample, reinforces the idea of attributing these collections to the Lower Paleolithic period. In the meantime, the study and investigation of these collections, which are mainly in form of open-air sites, have been accompanied by many complications and challenges, and the authors try to investigate and introduce these three collections in the first step, and then, if possible, provide solutions to identify and study such sites in northeast of the Iranian plateau, focusing specifically on Dargaz plain.

​​​​​​​Keywords: Dargaz Plain, Lower Paleolithic Period, Northeast of the Iranian Plateau, Open-Air Sites.

This study is based on the observation of the rock art paintings recovered from the recently investigated prehistoric rock art site at Panni waterfall in the Panna district of Madhya Pradesh. Panna area is well known for its cultural heritage, diamond mining, national tiger reserve, waterfalls, and beauty of natural resources. After extensive exploration, it is found that there are several natural waterfalls in the study area, which enhances its aesthetic appeal. It is also evident that the majority of rock art sites discovered in the Panna area are situated around waterfalls. Present rock shelters are also situated near a waterfall known as Panni waterfall. It is a well-known tourist site during the rainy season. During the exploration four rock shelters are identified around the waterfall and they are having artwork or paintings on the wall of rock. Thematically, these paintings featured human figurines and abstract patterns, and it is noticed that only two or three of the human figures are zoomorphic.

​​​​​​​Keywords: Analytical, Panni waterfall, Rock Shelter, Zoomorphic, Paintings

Narratives are important means of inculcating social, cultural and moral values. India, a country with a rich repository of intellect and cultures is not an exception. It has a long history of oral as well as written narratives. Indian Puranas are pieces of evidence of written narratives which deploy and communicate cognitive models of the environment in form of various educative tales. There are 18 major Puranas along with some minor ones which give information about contemporary social relations, cultural domains, floral and faunal diversity, animal behaviour, topography, the weather of the country etc. Plants are referred to in Indian Puranas for their various uses in human life such as medicine, food, cosmetics, town planning, garments, ornaments, religious rites etc. 170 plants are mentioned for their use in cosmetics, perfumes, ornamentation and various socio-cultural rituals in seven Puranas namely, Vamana Purana, Vayu Purana, Kurma Purana, Matsya Purana, Brahmavaivarta Purana, Agni Purana and Brahma Purana were compiled in this paper and scientific analysis revealed that majority of them belong to higher plant group, Angiosperms. It is interesting to note that many of these plant species are still prevalent for their specific uses as mentioned in Puranas. For example, the use of Arka (Calotropis gigantea), Palasa (Butea monosperma), Khadira (Acacia catechu), Shami (Prosopis cineraria), Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera) etc. in Havana for the achievement of wealth, peace and victory could be seen in the current era. Some of such socio-cultural aspects of Puranic plants relevant in the present context have been discussed in the paper.

​​​​​​​Keywords: Agni Purana, Cosmetics, Ornamentation, Perfume, Religious rites

The present paper briefly discusses the results ofrecent investigations carried out in the DebrigarhLohara massif located in the northern Bargarh uplands of Odisha, which brought to light three new rock art sites. The most significant characteristic features of these newly discovered rock art sites are, absence of petroglyphs, ceramics, and use of bi-chrome as well as polychrome techniques in the art representations, and presence of monochrome pictographs executed by purple red pigment and represented mostly by naturalistic wild animal and anthropomorphic forms, besides a few design patterns. The habitation floor of two rock art sites out of three yielded evidence for microliths including geometric forms, besides a few used red ochre pieces. On circumstantial grounds, taking into consideration microlithic assemblages from stratified and dated open-air sites located nearby the Debrigarh-Lohara massif, a Late Palaeolithic time bracket for the pictographs of the newly discovered rock art sites has been suggested.
​​​​​​​Keywords: Rock art,Pictographs, Anthropomorphic form, Naturalistic representation, Red ochre, Microliths.