International Journal of History and Archaeology Research Studies (IJHARS)
Welcome to the International Journal of History and Archaeology Research Studies (IJHARS), a platform dedicated to the exploration and preservation of our valuable historical heritage. The journal serves as a valuable resource for scholars, professionals, and enthusiasts by providing knowledge and inspiration. It offers a space for cutting-edge research, captivating narratives, and thought-provoking insights into the fascinating worlds of history and archaeology. IJHARS strictly adheres to the policies and ethical standards prescribed by the UGC-CARE, ensuring the highest level of academic integrity and scholarly excellence. Our goal is to foster a community of people who have a strong enthusiasm for delving into the marvels of history. Collaboratively, our aim is to uncover the mysteries of ancient civilizations, decipher the complexities of historical events, and explore the diverse range of human experiences throughout history. Our publication is dedicated to providing in-depth research and expert analysis, offering a diverse collection of historical and archaeological studies. We aim to shed light on the diverse history we all share and how it continues to shape our society, fostering a sense of inspiration for what lies ahead. Join us on an extraordinary journey, delving into the enigmas of the past, discovering concealed wisdom, and untangling the complex web of human history. Uncover the intricate history, illuminate the current state of affairs, and forge a path toward a future brimming with wisdom and insight. Welcome to the Journal of History and Archaeology, where we invite you to embark on an enlightening journey. Welcome aboard, fellow adventurers in the pursuit of knowledge - let the journey begin. Title International Journal of History and Archaeology Research Studies (IJHARS) Frequency Quarterly ISSN 3049-1622(ONLINE) ISSN 3139-4531(print) Publisher Eduschool Academic Research and Publishers Chief Editor Dr. Vinodkumar Kalloickal Copyright Eduschool Academic Research and Publishers Starting Year 2024 Subject History Language English Publication Format Online Phone No 0484-2929383 Email Id ijhars@eduresearchpublication.com,info@eduresearchpublication.com Website www.eduresearchpublication.com Address Eduschool Academic Research and Publishers Airport Road, Nayathode Kavala, Angamaly 683572, Kerala.
Eduschool Academic Research and Publishers
Maritime Power, Commerce, and Temple Networks in the Chola Naval Expansion, 900-1200 CE
This article examines the relationship between naval power, long-distance commerce, and temple institutional networks in the overseas expansion of the imperial Chola dynasty between the reign of Rajaraja I (r. 985-1014) and the decline of Chola maritime dominance in the late twelfth century. Drawing on Tamil copper-plate inscriptions, the Tanjore temple records, Chinese Song dynasty annals, and the archaeological evidence from port sites across the Bay of Bengal littoral, as well as the analytical frameworks developed by K. A. Nilakanta Sastri, Kenneth Hall, and Hermann Kulke, the study argues that Chola naval expansion was not a form of territorial imperialism oriented toward conquest and administrative incorporation but a commercially motivated projection of political authority designed to secure, regulate, and tax the maritime trade circuits of the Bay of Bengal and the Straits of Malacca. The article traces three interlocking dimensions of this expansion: the organization of the Chola naval apparatus and its relationship to the merchant guild networks of the Tamil coast, the political economy of the 1025 CE raid on Srivijaya and its consequences for the restructuring of Bay of Bengal commerce, and the role of South Indian temple institutions as nodes of commercial credit, cultural diplomacy, and diaspora community organization across the Southeast Asian trading world. The Chola case demonstrates that pre-modern Indian Ocean imperialism operated through mechanisms of commercial dominance and ritual prestige rather than through territorial occupation, and that the temple institution functioned as the principal organizational vehicle through which Tamil commercial and cultural influence was projected and sustained across maritime Southeast Asia. The gradual contraction of Chola maritime power after 1150, driven by the rise of competing commercial polities in Southeast Asia and the internal agrarian pressures generated by the costs of continuous military campaigning, serves as the article's terminus and provides a framework for understanding the structural limits of commercially motivated maritime imperialism in the pre-modern Indian Ocean world.
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Sufi-Hindu Convergence in the Medieval Deccan, 1300-1600 CE
This article examines the encounter between Sufi hospices (khanqahs) and Hindu devotional traditions in the Deccan sultanates between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. Drawing on hagiographical literature (tazkiras), Persian chronicles, and the ethnographic observations of scholars including Simon Digby, Richard Eaton, and Muzaffar Alam, the study traces how the Chishti and Qadiri Sufi orders established zones of religious interaction with Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Nath traditions across Bidar, Bijapur, and Golconda. The article argues that the resulting syncretic formations were not accidental byproducts of coexistence but deliberate strategies shaped by three principal forces: the patronage economies of the Bahmanid and successor sultanates, the shared sonic and ecstatic idioms of Sufi sama and bhakti kirtan, and the political utility of interreligious legitimacy for both Muslim rulers and Hindu subordinate elites. The case of the Gulbarga dargah of Banda Nawaz Gesudaraz (d. 1422) demonstrates that Sufi-Hindu convergence operated through active doctrinal translation rather than superficial borrowing, as Chishti masters incorporated Sanskrit cosmological vocabulary into Persian devotional discourse. The Deccan case also reveals the limits of convergence: in moments of dynastic competition, Sufi establishments aligned with orthodox Sunni positions, temporarily suspending the syncretic accommodations that characterized periods of political stability. The period ends with the Mughal annexation of Berar in 1596, which reoriented the religious economy of the region toward the more formalized syncretism of the imperial court, dissolving many of the locally generated hybrid formations that the sultanate period had sustained.
Chauth, Sardeshmukhi, and the Fiscal Architecture of the Maratha Empire, 1674-1761 CE
This article examines the fiscal architecture of the Maratha Empire between the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1674 and the defeat at Panipat in 1761, with particular attention to the twin revenue instruments of chauth and sardeshmukhi through which the Maratha confederacy extracted surplus from territories outside its direct administrative control. Drawing on the administrative correspondence preserved in the Peshwa Daftar, the revenue records of the Deccan districts, and the analytical frameworks developed by V. S. Bendrey, Stewart Gordon, and Sumit Guha, the study argues that the Maratha fiscal system was neither the predatory tribute extraction that British colonial historiography described nor the proto-national revenue administration that nationalist scholarship claimed, but a sophisticated and internally differentiated set of fiscal arrangements calibrated to the political and ecological diversity of the subcontinent. The article traces three phases of Maratha fiscal development: the Shivaji period characterized by direct agrarian administration through the ryotwari assessments of his revenue minister Annaji Datto, the early Peshwa period under Balaji Vishwanath and Baji Rao I in which chauth collection was systematized into a quasi-diplomatic instrument of subcontinental power projection, and the mature confederacy period under Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao in which fiscal fragmentation among the confederate chiefs produced structural instabilities that contributed to the Panipat catastrophe. The article concludes that the Maratha fiscal system represented a distinctive response to the challenge of governing an expanding territorial domain without the administrative infrastructure of a centralized bureaucratic state, and that its institutional legacy shaped the fiscal geography of peninsular India well into the colonial period.
The forthcoming issue of the International Journal of History and Archaeological Research Studies (IJHARS) brings together a diverse set of scholarly contributions that collectively illuminate the complexity of human societies across time and space. The articles featured in this issue demonstrate the strength of interdisciplinary historical and archaeological inquiry, drawing upon archaeological evidence, environmental data, bioarchaeology, and historical analysis to reassess long-standing interpretations of the past.
Skeletal Pathology and Labor Regimes Among Pyramid Builders at Giza
This article examines the bioarchaeological evidence from the workers' cemetery at Giza to reassess the labor system that built the Fourth Dynasty pyramids (c. 2613–2494 BCE). Analysis of skeletal remains reveals pervasive occupational pathology lumbar compression fractures, degenerative joint disease, and osteoarthritis consistent with the extreme physical demands of monumental stone construction. However, the prevalence of healed fractures, evidence of surgical amputation with post-operative survival, and formal burial with funerary provisions demonstrates that injured workers received competent medical treatment and were not discarded after injury. Faunal evidence from Mark Lehner's settlement excavations confirms a protein-rich diet provisioned from estates across Egypt, while the recently published Wadi al-Jarf papyri (the Merer logbook) document the logistical apparatus of a state-organized corvée system operating through named, rotational work gangs. Taken together, the skeletal pathology, dietary evidence, medical intervention, and administrative records converge to support a corvée labor model in which workers were conscripted seasonally, subjected to dangerous but provisioned labor, and honored in death with burial adjacent to the royal monuments. The findings decisively refute the slave-gang model popularized by classical and cinematic tradition, demonstrating instead that the Giza pyramids were products of the most sophisticated administrative mobilization of the ancient world one that regarded its labor force as a resource worth maintaining rather than an expendable commodity.
Maritime Silk Road Ceramics And Indian Ocean Networks, 200-1400 CE
This article reconstructs the maritime trade networks of the Indian Ocean between 200 BCE and 1400 CE through the ceramic evidence recovered from Southeast Asian port cities, shipwrecks, and burial sites. Drawing on archaeological assemblages spanning Indian Rouletted Ware, Tang-dynasty Changsha bowls from the Belitung shipwreck (c. 826 CE), Song-Yuan celadons and blue-and-white porcelains, and locally produced Thai and Vietnamese trade wares, the study traces the evolving structure of maritime exchange shaped by the monsoon wind system. The analysis challenges the conventional model of a unidirectional flow from advanced Chinese and Indian producers to passive Southeast Asian consumers. Instead, the ceramic record reveals that Southeast Asian entrepôts—Srivijayan ports, Philippine chieftaincies, and Javanese coastal polities—functioned as active agents in shaping demand, mediating redistribution, and assigning new cultural and political meanings to imported objects. The Belitung wreck demonstrates the industrial scale of ninth-century Chinese ceramic exports, while Philippine elite burial assemblages reveal the political instrumentalization of trade goods in competitive prestige economies. The article argues that no single maritime power dominated the Indian Ocean trade; rather, a shifting constellation of overlapping regional circuits, sustained by monsoon navigation, diverse shipbuilding traditions, and the complementary resources of ecologically distinct littoral societies, constituted an interconnected world economy in which Southeast Asian port cities were as essential as the kilns that supplied them.
Early Monumental Architecture and The Pre-Classic Origins Debate At El Mirador
This article reassesses Maya developmental trajectories through the monumental archaeological record at El Mirador in the Petén Basin of northern Guatemala, where Late Pre-Classic construction (c. 600 BCE–150 CE) includes some of the largest structures in the pre-Columbian Americas. The La Danta pyramid, at approximately 72 meters in height and 2.8 million cubic meters in volume, and the El Tigre complex demonstrate a scale of labor mobilization, political organization, and economic surplus previously attributed only to Classic period (250–900 CE) polities. The article situates El Mirador within a broader reassessment of the Pre-Classic that includes the San Bartolo murals (c. 100 BCE), demonstrating fully developed royal iconography, and Takeshi Inomata's discovery of ceremonial architecture at Ceibal dating to approximately 1000 BCE. Analysis of the triadic architectural pattern, the inter-site sacbe causeway system linking El Mirador to Nakbe and Tintal, and E-Group astronomical complexes reveals a distinct political and cultural order with state-level complexity that rose and collapsed on its own terms—likely driven in part by environmental degradation from intensive lime-plaster production and deforestation. The article argues that the Pre-Classic was not a formative rehearsal for Classic civilization but a separate cycle of urbanization and political centralization, and that Maya developmental trajectories were cyclical, regionally variable, and marked by discontinuities that defy unilinear models of societal evolution.
Buddhist-Animist Convergence in Pre-Colonial Arunachal Pradesh, 800-1826 CE
This article examines the encounter between Tibetan Buddhist monastic traditions and indigenous animist cosmologies in the hill societies of present-day Arunachal Pradesh between the eighth and early nineteenth centuries. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork by Verrier Elwin, Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf, and Niranjan Sarkar, alongside material and archival evidence, the study traces how the Monpa and Sherdukpen communities of the western districts selectively appropriated Gelugpa and Nyingmapa Buddhist elements while retaining animal sacrifice, spirit propitiation, and shamanic healing practices. In contrast, eastern communities the Adis, Apatanis, Galos, and Nishis maintained their Donyi-Polo and related animist traditions largely unmodified by Buddhist influence. The article argues that this differential reception was shaped by three principal forces: the political economy of Tibetan monastic expansion anchored by the Tawang Monastery (founded c. 1680–81), the trans-Himalayan trade routes linking the Assam plains to the Tibetan plateau, and the ecological constraints of high-altitude subsistence. The Monpa case demonstrates that syncretism was not passive reception or incomplete conversion but an active, creative negotiation in which communities constructed hybrid religious worlds tailored to their material circumstances. The Treaty of Yandaboo (1826), which transferred Assam to British control, serves as a terminus by severing many of the trans-Himalayan political connections that had sustained the Buddhist-animist contact zone for centuries, while British colonial ethnography subsequently imposed categorical distinctions between "Buddhist" and "tribal" that obscured the integrated nature of local religious practice.
Megadrought And the Terminal Classic Maya Collapse Controversy
This article evaluates the role of prolonged drought in the Terminal Classic Maya collapse (c. 800–1000 CE) by integrating high-resolution paleoclimatic proxy data with archaeological evidence of political fragmentation, warfare, and ecological degradation. Oxygen isotope records from the Yok Balum speleothem, gypsum deposition data from Lake Chichancanab, and titanium concentrations from the Cariaco Basin marine core converge to confirm that the ninth and tenth centuries witnessed the most severe and sustained droughts of the past two millennia in the circum-Caribbean region. The article critically examines Richardson Gill's monocausal drought thesis, acknowledging that his emphasis on climatic stress has been vindicated by subsequent paleoclimatic discoveries, while demonstrating that drought alone cannot account for the regional variability of the collapse. Cities in the northern Yucatán flourished during the same period that southern lowland polities were abandoned; coastal and riverine settlements persisted; and some southern cities declined before the worst drought episodes, while others survived into the tenth century. Drawing on Turner and Sabloff's critique of monocausal reasoning and Lucero's model linking water management to political legitimacy, the article argues that the Terminal Classic crisis was a compound event in which climatic stress interacted with the structural vulnerabilities of divine kingship, elite competition, deforestation, and soil degradation to produce regionally differentiated outcomes. Drought was a trigger, not a sufficient cause.
The forthcoming issue of the International Journal of History & Archaeological Research Studies (IJHARS) brings together a compelling collection of research that bridges ancient civilizations, ritual landscapes, gendered power structures, and the urgent contemporary challenge of heritage preservation in conflict zones. The articles in this volume reflect the journal’s commitment to rigorous historical inquiry and innovative archaeological methodology across temporal and geographic boundaries.
Comparative Study of Heritage Destruction in the Middle East and the Balkans: Examining Patterns, Motivations, and International Responses in Different Geopolitical Contexts
This comparative study examines the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage in two major late-twentieth and early twenty-first century conflicts: the Yugoslav Wars (1991-1999) and the Islamic State (ISIS) campaigns in Iraq and Syria (2014-2017). Despite occurring in different geopolitical contexts with distinct ideological frameworks ethnic nationalism in the Balkans versus religious extremism in the Middle East both conflicts witnessed systematic targeting of cultural and religious sites as instruments of identity erasure and population displacement. The Balkans experienced what has been characterized as the greatest destruction of European cultural heritage since World War II, with over 1,200 mosques destroyed in Bosnia-Herzegovina alongside hundreds of churches and iconic structures including Mostar's sixteenth-century Old Bridge and Sarajevo's National Library. ISIS destroyed over forty major archaeological sites including the ancient Assyrian cities of Nimrud, Hatra, and Nineveh, the Roman-era city of Palmyra, and numerous mosques, churches, and museums. International responses differed markedly: the Balkans benefited from prosecutions by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), while Middle Eastern destruction prompted UN Security Council resolutions and UNESCO-led documentation initiatives. This analysis reveals heritage destruction as a calculated strategy of cultural cleansing with profound implications for international law, heritage protection frameworks, and our understanding of contemporary conflict.
Crowdsourced Cultural Heritage Preservation: Evaluating the Reliability and Impact of Crowdsourced Data and Local Community Input in Documenting Heritage Loss During Conflicts
The deliberate destruction and collateral damage to cultural heritage sites during armed conflicts represents an irreversible loss to collective human memory. This paper examines the emergence of crowdsourced documentation as a critical methodology for recording heritage loss in conflict zones, with particular focus on Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Mali. Through analysis of documented initiatives including the ASOR Cultural Heritage Initiatives, TerraWatchers crowdsourcing platform, and community-driven documentation projects, this research evaluates both the methodological challenges and the transformative social impacts of incorporating local community participation into heritage documentation. The study demonstrates that while crowdsourced data presents epistemological concerns regarding verification and authority, it offers unprecedented temporal immediacy and cultural contextualization that traditional archaeological methods cannot achieve in active conflict zones. Community-driven documentation transforms local populations from passive victims of cultural erasure into active agents of memory preservation. This paper argues that the future of conflict heritage documentation requires hybrid methodologies integrating professional archaeological standards with democratized knowledge production through digital technologies and local participation, while carefully addressing verification protocols, power dynamics, and the social impacts of participatory documentation.
Ritual Landscapes and Sacred Spaces: A Landscape Archaeology Perspective on Megalithic and Neolithic Monument Complexes An Investigation of Spatial Organization, Phenomenology, and Social Memory in Prehistoric Ritual Sites
This paper examines ritual landscapes and sacred spaces through the lens of landscape archaeology, focusing on megalithic and Neolithic monument complexes. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from phenomenology, spatial analysis, and social memory studies, this investigation explores how prehistoric communities constructed and experienced sacred geographies. The analysis incorporates case studies from Stonehenge, Avebury, the Orkney Islands, and Brú na Bóinne, demonstrating how landscape archaeology methods reveal the interconnections between monuments, topography, celestial phenomena, and social practices. Through comparative analysis of monument morphology, spatial organization, and environmental contexts, this paper argues that ritual landscapes functioned as multisensory, performative spaces encoding cosmological beliefs and social relationships. The study employs Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis, viewshed modeling, and phenomenological survey to demonstrate how monuments were positioned within carefully choreographed sacred geographies. Findings indicate that ritual landscapes operated as theaters of memory where communities negotiated identity, power, and cosmological understanding through embodied practice. This research contributes to landscape archaeology methodology by synthesizing quantitative spatial analysis with qualitative phenomenological approaches, offering new insights into how prehistoric societies conceptualized and ritualized their environments.
Gender and Power in Pre-Modern Societies: Women's Agency and Representations in Ancient, Medieval, and Early Modern Legal and Literary Sources A Historical Analysis
This paper examines the complex relationship between gender and power in pre-modern societies through a comprehensive analysis of legal and literary sources from ancient, medieval, and early modern periods. Drawing on recent scholarship in feminist medieval studies, legal history, and literary criticism, this study challenges traditional narratives of universal female subordination by documenting significant variations in women's agency across different temporal, geographic, and social contexts. Through comparative analysis of Roman law, medieval English common law, and early modern European legal codes, alongside literary representations from classical antiquity through the Renaissance, this research demonstrates that women's power and autonomy were negotiated within patriarchal structures rather than simply negated by them. The study reveals that marital status, social class, and regional legal traditions created differential opportunities for women to exercise agency in property ownership, legal action, guardianship, and economic activity. Literary sources, while often reflecting male authorial perspectives, provide evidence of evolving representations of women that both reinforced and contested prevailing gender norms. This paper contributes to ongoing scholarly debates about the concept of agency in historical analysis and argues for a nuanced understanding of pre-modern gender relations that acknowledges both structural constraints and individual strategies of resistance and negotiation.
Urbanism in Antiquity: A Comparative Analysis of Urban Planning in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and Mesoamerica
This comparative analysis examines urban planning in three ancient civilizations: Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and Mesoamerica. Mesopotamian cities demonstrated organic, multi-centric development adapted to marsh environments. The Indus Valley achieved unprecedented standardization through grid layouts and comprehensive sanitation systems. Mesoamerican urbanism, exemplified by Teotihuacan, reflected cosmological principles and corporate organization. Despite temporal and spatial separation, these civilizations addressed common urban challenges through diverse solutions. Recent archaeological advances using remote sensing and paleoclimate reconstruction reveal greater urban diversity than traditional models suggest. Findings indicate that successful urbanism emerged through varied planning approaches and organizational structures, with implications for understanding ancient urban resilience and contemporary sustainability challenges.
The forthcoming issue of the International Journal of History & Archaeology Research Studies (IJHARS) brings together a diverse collection of rigorously researched articles that advance historical and archaeological inquiry through comparative, interdisciplinary, and global perspectives. The contributions in this volume collectively explore how human societies have been shaped by movement, exchange, power, memory, and material culture across time and space. Several articles engage with large-scale historical processes, including comparative analyses of slavery and forced labor systems across Atlantic, Arab, and Asian worlds, offering critical insights that challenge Eurocentric narratives and highlight interconnected global economies. Complementing this, studies on ancient maritime trade routes draw on archaeological evidence from shipwrecks and port excavations to reconstruct complex networks of commerce and cultural transmission across the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and South China Sea.
Funding Mechanisms and Economic Impacts of Reconstructing Cultural Sites: The Role of International Aid, Tourism, and Local Investment in Post-War Heritage Economies
This paper examines the economic implications of different funding mechanisms employed in post-war cultural heritage reconstruction, analyzing how international aid, tourism development, and local investment strategies influence both immediate reconstruction outcomes and long-term economic sustainability. Through comparative analysis of reconstruction projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, and Afghanistan, this study reveals that funding source diversity correlates with enhanced economic resilience and community ownership. The research demonstrates that while international aid provides essential initial capital, tourism-based funding creates sustainable revenue streams, and local investment ensures cultural authenticity and community engagement. The paper argues that hybrid funding models combining all three mechanisms generate the most robust economic outcomes, though success depends critically on institutional capacity, security conditions, and stakeholder coordination. These findings contribute to development economics literature by highlighting the unique economic characteristics of cultural heritage as both public good and economic asset, with implications for post-conflict reconstruction policy and heritage management strategies.
Reconstructing Ancient Trade Routes Through Shipwrecks and Port Excavations: Archaeological Evidence from the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and South China Sea
This paper examines how maritime archaeological evidence from shipwrecks and port excavations illuminates the structure and dynamics of ancient trade networks across three major maritime regions. Through systematic analysis of ceramic assemblages, ship construction techniques, and port infrastructure, archaeological data reveals complex patterns of cultural exchange, technological transfer, and economic interaction spanning from the Classical period through the medieval era. The research demonstrates that maritime archaeology provides unique insights into trade route chronology, cargo composition, and the social dimensions of ancient commerce that complement and often challenge textual historical accounts. Key findings indicate that trade networks were more interconnected and culturally heterogeneous than previously understood, with evidence of regular trans-oceanic contact and standardized commercial practices across vast geographical distances. This study contributes to our understanding of ancient globalization processes and the role of maritime trade in cultural transmission.
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Diaspora Involvement in Heritage Reconstruction: The Role of Displaced Communities in Shaping Narratives and Priorities in Heritage Recovery
This paper examines the complex relationship between diaspora communities and heritage reconstruction processes, analyzing how displaced populations influence narrative construction and priority determination in heritage recovery initiatives. Through theoretical analysis grounded in postcolonial theory and diaspora studies, this research demonstrates that diaspora involvement fundamentally transforms heritage reconstruction from mere physical restoration to active processes of cultural renegotiation and identity formation. The analysis reveals that displaced communities operate as both preservers and innovators of cultural heritage, creating hybrid narratives that challenge traditional authenticity paradigms while establishing new frameworks for cultural continuity. This study contributes to heritage studies by illuminating the dynamic interplay between displacement, memory, and cultural reconstruction, offering implications for policy makers, heritage professionals, and diaspora communities engaged in reconstruction efforts.
Archaeogenetics and Cultural Identity: Genomic Evidence in Tracing Human Migration, Intermarriage, and Cultural Transmission
The emergence of archaeogenetics as a discipline has fundamentally transformed our understanding of human migration patterns, cultural transmission, and identity formation throughout prehistory and history. This paper examines how genomic evidence illuminates the complex relationships between genetic ancestry, cultural practices, and identity construction across diverse temporal and geographical contexts. Through analysis of ancient DNA studies, population genomics, and archaeological correlations, this research demonstrates that cultural identity formation involves intricate processes of migration, intermarriage, and selective cultural transmission that cannot be reduced to simple genetic determinism. The evidence reveals that while genetic admixture often accompanies cultural change, the relationship between biological ancestry and cultural identity remains complex and contextually dependent. These findings have profound implications for contemporary debates about ethnicity, nationalism, and cultural authenticity, suggesting that modern identity categories often oversimplify the dynamic, interconnected nature of human cultural and biological heritage.
Global Histories of Slavery and Forced Labor: A Comparative Analysis of Atlantic, Arab, and Asian Systems
This paper examines the historical development and operational structures of slavery and forced labor systems across Atlantic, Arab, and Asian contexts from approximately 700 CE to the early 20th century. Through comparative historical analysis, it interrogates how these systems were established, maintained, and eventually transformed or abolished. The research identifies key divergences in ideological justifications, socioeconomic functions, and mechanisms of control across these systems, while also highlighting significant parallels in how forced labor was integrated into broader economic networks. The analysis reveals that while Atlantic slavery became distinctly racialized and plantation-oriented, Arab and Asian systems frequently operated within more complex hierarchies of dependency and service. This paper contributes to scholarly discourse by demonstrating how comparative study challenges Eurocentric narratives and illuminates the complex interplay between local conditions and global economic forces in shaping diverse unfree labor regimes. These findings emphasize the importance of examining slavery as both a localized practice and a globalized phenomenon constituted by interconnected economic networks and cultural exchanges.
The International Journal of History and Archaeological Research Studies is pleased to present its new issue, bringing together a wide-ranging collection of scholarship that traverses empires, oceans, artistic traditions, material cultures, and methodological debates. The articles in this volume reflect the journal’s commitment to advancing historical and archaeological inquiry through interdisciplinary perspectives, critical reflection, and global comparativism.
Material Culture and Identity Construction: Artifacts, Clothing, and Architecture as Expressions of Ethnicity, Status, and Belief Systems
This paper examines the fundamental relationship between material culture and identity construction, analyzing how artifacts, clothing, and architecture function as powerful mediums for expressing and negotiating ethnicity, social status, and belief systems. Drawing upon anthropological, archaeological, and sociological frameworks, this study explores the theoretical underpinnings of material culture studies and presents detailed analyses of case studies spanning diverse cultural contexts. The research demonstrates that material objects are not merely passive reflections of identity but active agents in the construction, maintenance, and transformation of individual and collective identities. Through examination of contemporary and historical examples, this paper argues that material culture serves as a dynamic communicative system that both reinforces existing social hierarchies and provides opportunities for identity negotiation and resistance. The findings contribute to our understanding of how humans invest objects with meaning and utilize material expressions to navigate complex social relationships and cultural boundaries.
Copyright (c) 2025 Georgekutty M D (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Decolonizing Archaeological Methodologies: Critical Reflection on Western Frameworks in Interpreting Indigenous Sites in Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
This paper examines the persistent colonial legacies embedded within contemporary archaeological methodologies and their impact on the interpretation of indigenous sites across Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. Through critical analysis of epistemological assumptions underpinning Western archaeological frameworks, this research demonstrates how these approaches often marginalize indigenous knowledge systems and perpetuate power imbalances in knowledge production. The paper argues that meaningful decolonization of archaeological practice requires more than superficial inclusion of indigenous perspectives; rather, it necessitates fundamental restructuring of disciplinary methodologies and theoretical foundations. By analyzing case studies from regions with distinct colonial histories, this research identifies emerging decolonial methodologies that center indigenous ontologies, challenge extractive research models, and reconceptualize the relationship between archaeologists, indigenous communities, and material heritage. The implications extend beyond academic discourse to ethics, heritage management policies, and the broader politics of knowledge production in a postcolonial context. This theoretical contribution provides a framework for archaeological practice that embraces epistemic plurality while confronting the discipline's colonial entanglements.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jipson C G (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Evolution of Indian Classical Music and Dance Forms: Traditional Essence in Contemporary Contexts
This paper examines the evolution of Indian classical music and dance forms through historical, cultural, and aesthetic lenses. Focusing on the tension between preservation and innovation, it analyzes how these art forms have adapted to changing sociopolitical contexts while maintaining their core philosophical and structural elements. Through examination of the Hindustani and Carnatic music traditions alongside major classical dance forms including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi, this research demonstrates that processes of codification, revival, and contemporary reinterpretation have characterized evolution in Indian classical arts. The analysis reveals that rather than representing a linear progression, the development of these art forms reflects complex negotiations between tradition and modernity, religious and secular contexts, and regional and global influences. This understanding contributes to broader scholarly discourse on cultural preservation, artistic adaptation, and the continuing relevance of traditional art forms in contemporary society.
Copyright (c) 2025 Liji K (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Indian Ocean Trade Networks and Their Socioeconomic Impact on Medieval India (900-1500 CE)
This paper examines the multifaceted impact of Indian Ocean trade networks on medieval India between the 10th and 15th centuries, a period characterized by significant commercial expansion and cross-cultural exchange. Through analysis of archaeological evidence, textual sources, and maritime histories, this study investigates how participation in these extensive trade networks transformed India's economy, urban development, social structures, and cultural landscape. The research demonstrates that Indian Ocean commerce generated profound changes in medieval Indian societies through the establishment of cosmopolitan port cities, the creation of merchant communities with transoceanic connections, the facilitation of cultural and religious transmission, and the reconfiguration of political economies along the subcontinent's coastline. Rather than representing a peripheral activity, maritime trade emerges as a central force in shaping medieval India's development, challenging land-centric historiographical approaches and highlighting the importance of oceanic connections in understanding the subcontinent's medieval history. This perspective contributes to broader scholarly discourse on premodern globalization, the relationship between commerce and state formation, and the historical origins of economic interdependence in the Indian Ocean world.
Copyright (c) 2025 Vinodkumar Kallolickal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Ottoman Empire: A Historical Overview
The Ottoman Empire, one of the most enduring and influential entities in world history, spanned over six centuries, leaving an indelible mark across three continents. Founded in 1299 by Osman I, it swiftly evolved into a formidable power defined by military brilliance, innovative governance, and a fusion of diverse cultures. This article examines the rise, golden era, and eventual decline of the Ottoman Empire, highlighting its critical role in shaping global history. During its Golden Age, particularly under the leadership of Mehmed II and Suleiman the Magnificent, the empire achieved remarkable feats in architecture, the arts, governance, and military conquests. Positioned as a nexus between East and West, the Ottomans played a crucial role in fostering intercultural exchanges, leaving a lasting influence on various regions' traditions and institutions. The article delves into the empire’s challenges in its later centuries, including internal divisions, economic difficulties, and the growing dominance of European powers. Reformative movements, such as the Tanzimat period, sought to modernize the empire, yet these efforts revealed its deep-rooted structural weaknesses. The Ottoman Empire’s involvement in World War I and the subsequent Treaty of Sèvres signalled its dissolution, paving the way for the formation of modern Turkey under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, whose secular reforms marked a sharp departure from Ottoman customs. The legacy of the Ottoman Empire endures in its architectural achievements, its administrative frameworks, and its pivotal role in the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. The empire’s inclusive governance, which embraced a wide range of ethnic and religious communities, stands as a historical example of pluralism and tolerance. This study underscores the Ottoman Empire's resilience, adaptability, and lasting impact, positioning it as a key chapter in world history. By exploring both its triumphs and trials, this article offers valuable insights into the intricacies of empire-building and the factors that contributed to the longevity and eventual downfall of such a vast, multi-ethnic entity.
Copyright (c) 2025 Manoj T R (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
We are pleased to present the latest issue of the International Journal of History and Archaeology Research Studies (IJHARS), a publication committed to the advancement of scholarly inquiry into the multifaceted dimensions of the human past. This issue brings together a diverse and thought-provoking collection of articles that traverse time, space, and discipline, offering deep insights into ancient civilisations, indigenous systems of knowledge, cultural developments, and the evolution of human practices.
The Chera Dynasty, a prominent and significant ruling authority in ancient South India, exemplifies the region's political acumen and cultural richness. This dynasty thrived from the 4th century BCE until the 12th century CE, significantly influencing the culture, trade, and architectural heritage of Tamilakam. The Cheras, famous for their shrewd administration, vast trading networks, and support of literature, significantly impacted the socio-political and economic landscape of their day. Positioned strategically along the Malabar Coast, the Cheras became a crucial element in the network of historic marine trade. Their maritime skills facilitated active economic interactions with the Roman Empire, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Valuable commodities like black pepper, esteemed lumber, and ivory emerged as their hallmark exports, solidifying their position as essential intermediaries in international trade. These commercial exchanges not only augmented their wealth but also enabled cultural assimilation, integrating foreign influences into the fabric of their culture. The Cheras developed an intricate government scheme that balanced centralised power with local management. This framework created stability, promoting unity throughout their realm. Their acceptance of religious pluralism further improved societal balance. By embracing Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, they fostered an atmosphere of inclusivity that supported societal harmony. The decline of the Chera Dynasty, caused by internal strife and external invasions, signified the conclusion of their direct governance, however did not diminish their legacy. Their lasting contributions to Tamil literature, grand temple building, and complex socio-economic systems resonated through later centuries, significantly impacting following dynasties and the overall history of South India.The Chera Dynasty's profound influence on the cultural, economic, and political development of Tamilakam is incalculable. Their crucial position in the interconnected environment of the ancient Indian Ocean globe highlights their historical significance as architects of a dynamic and resilient civilisation.
The Pandya Dynasty: Scholars and Warriors
The Pandya Dynasty, one of the earliest political entities in southern India, profoundly impacted the region's cultural, political, and artistic landscape. This article analyses the varied achievements of the dynasty, highlighting their influence during the Sangam period, a pivotal era for the evolution of Tamil identity and literature. It examines the integration of supernatural and political themes in the government and cultural expressions of the Pandya rulers, as illustrated in works like Cilapattikāram. The article highlights the dynasty's architectural achievements, including prominent temples such as the Meenakshi Amman Temple, and its impact on regional identity. Additionally, it analyses the geographical extent and interactions of the Pandyas with adjacent entities, emphasising their historical significance. This study emphasises the enduring impact of the Pandya Dynasty on South Indian history by examining their contributions to Tamil literature, art, and architecture.