First Horseback Riders of Vidarbha: an update on the ealy Megalith builders of Vidabha, Central India
'Megalithism' is a global phenomenon. The early megalith builders of South India and Vidarbha in India stand out for their unique practices. They constructed massive structures, known as 'megaliths,' as part of their death rituals. This monograph provides a comprehensive update on twenty-plus excavated protohistoric-early historic megalithic sites of Vidarbha and offers a fascinating glimpse into their world.
The monograph tackles a long-standing dilemma related to two types of sites in Vidarbha, one with megaliths and another distinct group with no graveyard, and presents groundbreaking findings. A thorough re-examination of extensive data, supported by theoretical premises and ethnographic parallels, revealed two contemporary cultural traditions during the early Iron Age of Vidarbha: the Megalithic and the Non-megalithic. This proposition is a significant breakthrough in the field, and the monograph incorporates the concepts and definitions of the term 'megalith,' its origin and meanings, and its various connotations over time.
A theme-oriented chapter of the monograph evaluates the data regarding the association of horses with the megalith builders of Vidarbha, which led to the inference that these megalith builders were the 'First Horseback Riders of Vidarbha,' if not of the Indian subcontinent. It then delves into various aspects of Vidarbha's megalith builders' personality. It concludes by outlining the future course of research on the 'megalith builders of Vidarbha' and posing some 'big questions' with the hope that they will contribute to a deeper understanding of their lifestyle. The monograph is also richly illustrated uniquely, enhancing the reader's experience.
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Bibliographic information
Kanchana Bhaisare-Sarjare