Buddhist Sites in Andhra Pradesh A GIS Perspective

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Buddhist Sites in Andhra Pradesh A GIS
Perspective
Dr. Ruchi Singh Lecturer, PMV PG College,
Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
ruchianoop_at_yahoo.co.in
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Outline of presentation

• How to apply GIS in Archaeology (5 slides).
• Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh A GIS
  perspective (15 slides).

Nagarjunakonda
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HOW TO APPLY GIS IN ARCHAEOLOGY

• Archaeologists study Human societies and their
  evolution over
• Time
• Space

Nagarjunakonda
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HOW TO APPLY GIS IN ARCHAEOLOGY

• Study over Time
• Archaeologists fix time using
• the following techniques
• Excavation.
• Specialised relative and absolute Dating e.g.
  artefact typologies and stratigraphic
  relationships.
• Physical dating e.g. C-14, K-Ar,
  Thermoluminiscence.

Anupu ampitheater
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HOW TO APPLY GIS IN ARCHAEOLOGY

• Study over Space
• Archaeologists fix space using
• the following techniques
• Excavation and survey methods
• (by preparing maps, profile drawings and
  photographs).
• Remote sensing methods
• (Aerial photography, ground penetrating radar
  and magnetometry).

Anupu excavation
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HOW TO APPLY GIS IN ARCHAEOLOGY

• Utility of GIS
• Integration of temporal and spatial data.
• Easy storage, retrieval and portability of data.
• Scalability of GIS data site level, local
  level, regional level and global level.

Salihundam
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HOW TO APPLY GIS IN ARCHAEOLOGY

• Utility of GIS
• Mapping capabilities.
• Visualization 3D relationships, time series.
• Analytical capabilities like proximity
  analysis, orientation, viewshed analysis and
  predictive modelling.

Bavikonda
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Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh A GIS
perspective
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Introduction

• Buddhism
• Founded by Gautama Buddha
• or Siddharta in 567 B.C. in India.
• Main tenets of Buddhism
• Ahimsa Non-violence
• Karma Doing ones duty
• Ashtanga Marg Eight-fold path
• Nirvana salvation

Thotlakonda
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Introduction

• Buddhism
• Inception of Buddhism with Dharma Chakra
  Pravartana or turning the wheel of law Buddhas
  first sermon at Sarnath.
• Buddha established the Sangha or Buddhist
  monastic order.
• It consisted of Bhikshus (monks) and Bhikshunis
  (nuns), who spread the message of Buddhism.

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Study area - Andhra Pradesh, India

• Andhra Pradesh (AP) is the 5th largest state in
  India covering 276,754 sq. km.
• AP has 140 listed Buddhist sites.
• Most sites are located, in general, in close
  proximity to rivers, or on the eastern coast,
  along trade routes.

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Map of India showing AP
ANDHRA PRADESH
INDIA
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Objective of research

• Collect all Buddhism related data from different
  sources and store it in GIS framework.
• Map Buddhist sites in AP using GIS Geographic
  Information System technology.

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Hypotheses

• Historical data analyzed in GIS framework will
  provide new methods for analyzing the spread of
  Buddhism.
• Geographical, topographical and historical
  factors can be analyzed together to give a
  holistic view of spread of Buddhism.

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Research approach(collecting, classifying and
analyzing data using GIS technology)
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Buddhist sites in AP
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(No Transcript)
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Amaravati, originally called Dhanyakataka is
situated on the banks of the Krishna river in
Guntur district. 10 relic caskets of Buddha
excavated here.
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Amaravati stupa temple
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Guntupalli
Chandavaram
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Conclusion

• Historical data analyzed in GIS framework
  provides new methods for analyzing the spread of
  Buddhism.

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Future proposed research

• This pilot study is to be followed by mapping of
  Buddhist sites all over India, with the aid of
  GIS generated maps.
• This pilot study will also be followed by use of
  analytical GIS techniques for predictive modeling
  of Buddhist sites.

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Thank You All