Dr. Arunchandra S. Pathak has a profound experience in the field of Archaeology and has done a pathbreaking and pioneering work in the discipline of historical water management systems. After completing his Ph.D. from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University Aurangabad, he served in State Archaeological Department. His thesis related to the Archaeological and historical character of Godavari valley, was a ground breaking work. This land-mark work was laid on the exhaustive study of Mahanubhava Sthanpothi. The ancient and medieval water management systems and their thorough accounts is his niche. With the reflective and insightful surveys, excavations and deciphering of different inscriptions, he has not only provided the basic and authentic information regarding these settlements but also has underlined the historical sentiments society has attached to the water resources and usage. These methodical studies of his have also paved the way for major understanding of the settlement patterns and civic systems of those times. He is an author of many such original studies and treatise. The future studies of the significant sites like Kandhar, Paithan, Charthana, Ambad as well as water management and architectural arrangements of historical settlements of Maharashtra will be in-complete without the insights from his acumen.
He has served in Maharashtra State Gazetteers Department as the Chief Executive Editor. Under his gifted and adept lead, the department was successful in publishing comprehensive district and theme-based gazettes. The meticulous and painstaking efforts of his, proved to be the game changer in both of his chosen fields of expertise. Under his capable and intelligent guidance many students successfully completed their Doctorates and have acquired the charm of instigating newer and dynamic ways of research. Various national and devoted institutions have taken the serious note of his hard work and intelligent analysis. He is a real torchbearer who has sincerely tried to open the new dimensions of research and understanding, for which he has been conferred with many awards, eulogies and honours. For the unparalleled contribution through his exposition named 'Sthanapothi: EkPuratatviya Abhyas' he is awarded by Maharashtra State Literature and Cultural Board and for the work 'PravaraKhore Gazetter' he has received the award of 'Best Research Project Publication Prize-Jal Gaurav Puraskar 2014' by Bharatiya Jal Sanskriti Mandal, Aurangabad. After such an inspiring career he has earnestly assumed the task of moulding novel erudition and instilling zeal of research in the next generation of scholars in fields of History and Archaeology.
Dr. Arunchandra S. Pathak has brilliantly come forth with a bunch of beautiful sculptures from Kandhar (Dist. Nanded) belonging mostly to Rastrakuta period. We know that Kandhar was the sub capital of Rastrakutas during the reign of Krsna 1 to Krsna III. According to historians it was a miolitaery encampment that is Skandahare.
We have an epigraph of Rastrakuta king from Kandhar, describing vividly this capital city, its precinct; the Jagattunga lake, named after the prince who died prematurely; the Sarvalokasraya Mandapa (hall) and at least half a dozen temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The Rastrakutas have the magnificent monolithic Kailas temple to their credit. Hence it is no wonder that they have beautified these edifices with attractive and artistic images and sculptures which now will helter-skelter. There is a good collection of images belonging to Buddhism and Jainism and Hinduism.
Arunchandra's descriptions of these images bring forth their liveliness, grace and beauty. Some of them are unmatched as far as their artistic values are concerned. Being of the Rastrakuta period these images are full of vigour, aggressiveness and forcefulness.
It is hoped that this work will inspire students of art, satisfy connoisseur and particularly students of Iconography. I congratulate Arunchandra Pathak on his remarkable collection of art pieces whether intact or broken. I am sure scholars as well as common people will welcome it. I also hope he will continue to do such scholarly work and produce exhaustive and comprehensive body of work, touching many dimensions of culture and philosophy. 'Shubham Bhavatu'.
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