Nagas: The Tribe and The Cult

Nagas, the snake-worshipping communities of Ancient India occupy an important place in Indian history. To a student of Indian history and the common man a like, it appears as if there lay a complete veneer of brief in the divinity of the Nagas and the Naga racial blood over the length and breadth of India. From Kashmir, Tibet, or Nepal to the Malabar coast in the South; From Gujarat to Bengal and Assam; from Sri Lanka to Java, Sumatra and Cambodia, there are very few places indeed where we do not meet frequently with individual or local names of which the word 'Naga' forms a part, or where the ruling dynasty is not believed sometimes to have been associated with Naga clan. The subject is interesting, for, on deeper investigation, it is found that intricacies associated with Naga problem in Indian History, particularly as a tribe and as a cult, are too many. It is precisely for this reason that several distinguished scholars have approached the problem differently. A critical history of the Nagas based on reliable evidences and presented in chronological order is the need of the hour and the present book is an attempt to fulfill this need.

The history of the Nagas bristles with controversial problems, particularly relating to its origin, different ruling dynasties, their mutual relationship and relation with contemporary powers. Based on evidences supplied by archaeological and literary sources and accounts of the foreign travelers and writers, discussions on all problems have been attempt. All efforts have been made to draw attention on each controversial issue with a view to enable the reader to form his own opinion. The work is limited within the time frame of the earliest times to c. 15th century AD.

About the Author:

Dr. R.K. Sharma (b. 1932), Professor and Head of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archeology and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Jabalpur, retired in 1992. His contributions to the cause of Indian Archeology in general and Archeology Madhya Pradesh in particular are widely acclaimed.

His prestigious publications include: Madhya Pradesh Ke Puratattva Ka Sandarbha Granth (Bhopal, 1974); The Temple of Chaunsatha Yogini at Bheraghat (Delhi, 1978); Art of Paramaras of Malwa (Ed.) (Delhi, 1979); The Kalachuris and their Times (Delhi, 1980); Archaeology of Bhopal Region (Delhi, 1980); Indian Archaeology - New Perspectives (Ed.) (Delhi, 1982); Rock-Art of India (Ed.) (Delhi, 1983); Vajapeya-Essays on Evolution of Indian Art and Culture (Prof. K.D. Bajpai Fel. Vol.) (Ed.) (Delhi, 1987); Studies in Shell Script (Ed.) (Delhi, 1990); Art of Kalachuris (Ed.) (Bhopal, 1991); Excavations at Kakrehta (Delhi, 1992); Krsna Smriti (Prof. K.D. Bajapai Comm. Vol.) (Ed.) (Delhi, 1995); Prehistoric Art in India (Dr. S.K Pandey Fel. Vol.) (Ed.) (Delhi, 1996); Kalachuri: rajvansh Aur Unka Yug, 2 vols. (Ed.) (Delhi, 1998); Encyclopaedia of Art, Archaeology and Literature in Central India, 2 vols. (Delhi, 1998); Jaina Philosophy, Art & Science in Indian Culture(Delhi, 2002); Tribal History of Central India, 3 vols. (Delhi, 2002); Agnihotra: Studies in Indic Traditions (Delhi, 2003); Archaeological Excavations in Central India, (Delhi, 2003) and Revealing India's Past (Prof. A.M. Shastri Commemoration Volume) (Ed.) (Delhi, 2005). A series of other publications are in process.