Nocturnal (Dark) Anthropology: Spotlight on an Ancient Indian Civilization

Khetrapal, Neha (2023) Nocturnal (Dark) Anthropology: Spotlight on an Ancient Indian Civilization. In: Dark Skies Places, Practices, Communities. Routledge, London, pp. 217-232. ISBN 9781003408444

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Abstract

Since the early days of evolution, the nocturnal environment of dark skies has influenced the development and proliferation of ancient socio-religious practices, art, and architecture. Several contemporary studies, targeted at documenting this significance of celestial phenomena for ancient civilisations, have been reported with a Eurocentric prism. For this chapter, the influencing role of night skies is documented for the Indus Valley civilisation. Further attempts are made to underscore the changes in the socio-religious life of ancient India in line with the dwindling importance of the nocturnal skyscape. Finally, the theoretical spotlight moves to the recent revival of interest in preserving the dark skies. However, the preserved modern-day night skies are likely to resurrect cultural heritage in a manner that may not impact socio-religious dynamics but at least serve as a driving force for making progress in nocturnal (dark) anthropology and precipitate night-time tourism

Item Type: Book Section
Keywords: Nocturnal environment | Dark Skies | Ancient socio-religious practices
Subjects: Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Social Sciences (General)
Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Geography
Social Sciences and humanities > Social Sciences > Public Policy
JGU School/Centre: Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences
Depositing User: Subhajit Bhattacharjee
Date Deposited: 09 Nov 2023 12:36
Last Modified: 18 Nov 2023 14:04
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003408444
URI: https://pure.jgu.edu.in/id/eprint/6874

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