MY OLD WORK ON KUTCH IN GUJARATI

I was curator in Kutch Museum Bhuj from May 1988 to November 1991. I lived Kutch fully, making documentaries on her, with Pro. Paresh Mehta, and his research help Gala. K. Thakkar sponsored the whole project. My tours from length and breadth of Kutch persuaded me to write on several myths about Kutchy people. I made effort to put the things in real order filled with facts.
It talks about primitive men in Kutch(chapter 1,2 and 3), tribes (chapter 4-5), epigraphs(ch.6), folk arts (7-8 and 10-11)and museum collection (ch.9).
it got out on 1.10.1992. from Junagadh.

my last release

Tribal Heritage In Western India With Special Reference To Mavchis Of Dangs

Since prehistory period Western India has been a settling soil for the various races, tribes and communities of the Old World on account of its straight and easily accessible routes from Central south Easter Asia and Australia from south eastern side.

The Central Asian Communities, like, Indo-Iranians, Scythians, Turks etc. did come here from West. Therefore here we come across all kind of races. The Negros as Siddis of Junagadh, Kutch and Rajanpur of Bharuch, the Mongoloid Luhanas, Caucasoid Scythians as shepherds like Rabaries and Ahiras and the Proto Australoids Bhils and other tribal aptly embody the mosaic of earth’s all foremost races.

In this museum like land of racial variation, some of the communities for their cultural traditions stand very distinguish. They are the Rabaries of Kutch, Siddis of the Panchmahals and the Mavchis of South Gujarat. They present divergent visit of ethnology.

THE TRIBAL HERITAGE IN WESTERN INDIA: with Special Reference to Mavchis of Dangs is an outcome of my vast experience as an ethnologist and cultural enthusiast, being curator in the Dept. of Museums of Government of Gujarat since 1977.

In general, it touches most of the aspects of life of a tribal in Western India and the Mavchis of South Gujarat in particular, by reciting an unhindered saga which starts with prehistory and then taking a complete tour of social enigma, occupational activities, religion, art and literature ends at recreation and amusement. There is no much muddle of reference after references from erudite studies but rather it just interprets only fundamental first hand information collected from the deep forests, terrains of mountains and smoking shanties of the Dangs.

my recent release

MAHAKSATRAPA CASTAN AND WESTERN INDIA DURING EARLY CHRISTIAN ERA- my recent release

Contents: Preface. Acknowledgement. Abbreviations. Transliteration from Devnagari to Roman. I. Introduction: 1. Sources of history. 2. Sakas in India. 3. Saka tribes. 4. Status of Western Ksatrapas. II. Political history: 5. Founder of Castana Family Ysamotika of Ghsamotika? 6. Conquests of Castana. 7. Castana's Rule and Administration. 8. Castana's achievements. 9. Saka Era. 10. Ujjayini: Capital of Castana. III. Socio-cultural history: 11. Condition of people. 12. Religion. 13. Economy. 14. Coinage. 15. Education, language, literature and Paleography. 16. Arts and crafts. 17. Conclusion. Appendices. Bibliography.

"Role of the Sakas or Scythians in history of the Western India of the Early Christian period; has been a desired, subject among historians. Though, there are many aspects and characters of Saka History, the author, found to the character of interesting Castana sternly underestimated and neglected by the historians. Castana built his own empire conquering almost complete West and North West India. He was simply a Ksatrapa but became Mahaksatrapa. He united the scattered forces of the foreign born nationalities those who had lost their power with defeat of Nahapana by Gotamiputra. He tried to Indianise the foreign born nationalities by adopting Saivism, encouraging Samskrita and pursuing matrimonial relations with Satavahanas. He founded the Saka rule in India so firmly that they ruled for four centuries. He can be credited to start the solar calendar of Sakas in India which is now our national calendar. Though we do not find his Gold Coins but we know that the trade and commerce were flourishing in full swing during his period. The Ports of Makaran, Sindha, Kutch, Saurashtra, Gujarat and Konkan were very busy of harboring Indian as well as foreign vessels. Castana was like Napoleon who rose from a soldier to emperor. Rather he was more dynamic in founding his dynasty then later who failed miserably in this.

Respite, many more interesting aspects in this period of Indian history in general and western India in particular, e.g., the progress of art, culture, society, literature have been discussed in details, which took place due to prosperity of people in reign of Western Ksatrapas of 1 and 2 cent. viz. Castana and Rudradamna." (jacket).