The Return of the Buddha: Ancient Symbols for a New Nation,
by H. P.
Ray
Dear Colleagues:
I would like to announce the following publication that
has just been
released in New Delhi:
Himanshu Prabha Ray, The Return
of the Buddha: Ancient Symbols for a New
Nation, Routledge, New Delhi,
2014.
/The Return of the Buddha /traces the development of
Buddhist
archaeology in colonial India, examines its impact on the
reconstruction
of India’s Buddhist past, and the making of a public and
academic
discourse around these archaeological discoveries.
//
The
book//discusses the role of the state and modern Buddhist
institutions in the
reconstitution of national heritage through
promulgation of laws for the
protection of Buddhist monuments, acquiring
of land around the sites,
restoration of edifices, and organization of
the display and dissemination of
relics.It also highlights the
engagement of prominent Indian figures, such as
Nehru, Gandhi, Ambedkar,
and Tagore,with Buddhist themes in their
writings.
Stressing upon the lasting legacy of Buddhism in independent India,
the
author explores the use of Buddhist symbols and imagery
in
nation-building and the making of the constitution, as also the
recent
efforts to resurrect Buddhist centers of learning such as Nalanda.
With
rich archival sources, the book will immensely interest
scholars,
researchers and students of modern Indian history, culture,
archaeology,
Buddhist studies, and heritage management.
Himanshu
Prabha Ray|
Chairperson, National Monuments Authority
New Delhi
