Socio–Economic & Religious Life of Ancient Midnapur through the Lens of Terracotta Temple Art

Abstract

In the recent years, various issues related to the archaeological evidence inMidnapur district received special consideration/attention by the scholarly world. The archaeological and historical researches of this particular district may have provided sufficient information to reconstruct the socio-religious life as well as economic history of ancient Bengal as a whole. Archaeological researches mainly focus on the different cultural phases were witnessed here in this study area from the very beginning, whereas historians are keener to define the role of other aspects; like art & architecture, diversity of culture, political lineages and religious ideologies etc. in social changes. Moreover, the contribution of the rich cultural history of this district demarcating the historiography of ancient Bengal as whole is major discussed issue among the historians. The present paper is a preliminary attempt to reconstruct the socio-religious life along with to understand the day-to-day life of ancient Midnapur through economic perspective as well. The primary aim of this paper is to define the socio-economic and religious life of ancient Midnapur in terms of terracotta temple art, are available in this district and how this is important in its cultural development. The contribution of Midnapur district is so important in the history of Bengal and India as well in every aspect that in terms of culture, art & architecture or the socio-economic system. The present work explored such dimensions of historical phenomena.