About the Book
The capital of Bhārat, Delhi—officially the National Capital Territory of Delhi—is a mosaic of different historical and cultural landscapes. From its ancient antecedents to the colonial times, Delhi has been witness to tremendous historical upheavals, all of which shaped its culture and gave it a unique identity. However, much of Delhi’s heritage and culture is associated with the Sultanate or Mughal period, while the ancient and post-colonial history of the city is largely relegated to the margins. Since the Islamic history of the city has been the main theme of study among historians for many decades, the Hindu heritage of the city has not found a significant place in academic engagement or writing. Another aspect of the city that has found significant mention is the colonial period, particularly with regard to colonial architecture. Delhi, however, is not only the city of Sultans, colonial and post-colonial settlers. It is also the city of the Pandavas, the Tomars, and the Chauhans. It is a city of temples and popular street foods. Delhi is a thriving centre of Hindu religious heritage, be it the Shri Kilkari Baba Bhairavnath Ji Temple near present-day Purana Qila, the Kalka Mata Temple in present-day Kalkaji, and the Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place which trace their origins to the period of the Mahabharata or modern-day temples like the Birla Mandir and the Akshardham Temple. The city indeed boasts of some incredible Hindu places of worship. It also comprises some important historical structures of the period of the Mahabharata, including the Indraprastha region, as well as the areas ruled by the Tomars and Chauhans, who not only built forts and palaces, such as Lal Kot (later known as Qila Rai Pithora), but also added to the religious landscape of the city. King Anangpal I of the Tomar Dynasty constructed numerous temples in his capital city of Lal Kot, which were eventually destroyed during the Islamic invasions. The culture and heritage of the Pandavas, the Tomars, and the Chauhans warrants a more detailed analysis, and so does the contemporary cultural landscape of Bhārat’s capital city.
This book is an attempt to explore the Hindu heritage of the city of Delhi—its history, architecture, archaeology, handicrafts, museums, cuisines, traditions, and so on. The book proposes to look at the city’s history and culture from an alternative perspective and add value to the academic discourse on Delhi and its neighbourhood.
Themes
· Hindu Histories of Delhi: The Mahabharat period, rule of the Tomar Dynasty, the period of the Chauhan Dynasty; Hindu Kings of Delhi and their contribution to city histories
· Hindu Religious Structures: Temples, forts and palaces, public utility works, other structures of ancient or contemporary relevance
· Inscriptions, Archaeology, Numismatics: Sanskrit inscriptions, Archaeological Sites in and around Delhi, coins and seals of Hindu dynasties of Delhi
· Artifacts and Handicrafts: Traditional handicrafts, clothes, ornaments, and jewellery
· Cuisines of Delhi: Traditional Hindu cuisine, history of street food, impact of Hindu culture on the cuisines of Delhi
· Museums of Delhi: Exhibits displaying Hindu heritage and culture
· Arts and Performing Arts: Paintings, Music, and Dance
· Languages and Literature: Linguistic and Literary traditions
· Role of Institutions in Promoting the Hindu Heritage of Delhi: Heritage institutions and their impact, Heritage Walks at Hindu heritage sites
Chapter Submissions
Academics and research scholars from institutions of repute are invited to submit a proposal in 350-500 words along with key words, which will be peer-reviewed. Successful candidates will be invited to submit a full chapter. Scholars are advised to go through the themes and guidelines carefully before submitting the proposal. The proposal must be strictly academic in nature.
Submission Roadmap
30 December 2023: Submission of proposals
10 January 2024: End of the peer review process of proposals
15 March 2024: Full chapter submission
25 March 2023: Peer review and feedback on full chapter
20 April 2023: Final chapter submission
Submission Guidelines
· Abstract: 350-500 words (with key words)
· Chapter Length: 7000-8000 words (including key words, in-text citations, and references)
· Font: Times New Roman, 12 point, 1.5 spacing
· Citations: In-text in APA format (www.apastyle.org)
· References: End of the Chapter in APA format
· Images, Tables, and Graphs: Maximum 4 images, 3 tables or graphs per chapter
· Deadlines: To be adhered to as per the Submission Roadmap
(The contributor shall be solely responsible for their research findings published in the book. Neither the editor nor the publisher will take responsibility for any unverified research.)
Chapter Format
Main Sections
1. Title
2. Name/s with Complete Affiliation and Contact Details
3. Abstract with Key Words
4. Introduction: The Introduction should clearly justify the rationale of the study with appropriate theoretical background.
5. Literature Review: This section should include the explanation and analysis of existing literature.
6. Methodology: This section should explain the methodology used for research.
7. Key Findings: This section must include the key findings of the research.
8. Discussion: This should include the overall discussion and analysis of the key findings.
9. Conclusion: The conclusion should clearly state the major findings of the paper and its overall outcome.
Other Sections
References: In APA format only.
Appendices: If there is more than one appendix, they should be identified as A, B, etc.
Submission Preparation Checklist
All submissions must meet the following requirements:
· The submission has not been previously published, nor is it before another journal for consideration.
· The submission file is in Microsoft Word document format.
· Where available, provide URLs for the references.
· The text adheres to the stylistic and bibliographic requirements outlined in the Submission Guidelines and Chapter Format.
Contact Details
Email your proposals to sengupta.chandni@gmail.com
Dr Chandni Sengupta
Historian and Author; Guest Faculty, Southern New Hampshire University, USA
