Indo - Greek Jewellery

DETAILS : 

• Author: Rai Govind Chandra 
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abhinav Publications
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 1 December 1979
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 158 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8170170885
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8170170884
  
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 650 g

ABOUT THE BOOK

Indo-Greek Jewellery, authored by the distinguished archaeologist and Indologist Dr. Rai Govind Chandra, is a specialized, authoritative monograph that traces the fascinating cultural and artistic synthesis between Hellenistic Greece and ancient India. Published by Abhinav Publications, this highly technical work serves as an essential reference for historians, numismatists, and art historians studying the ancient material culture of the Indian subcontinent. The core philosophy of this text is to demonstrate how personal ornaments function as sensitive historical markers, illustrating how foreign artistic concepts were absorbed, localized, and permanently integrated into the Indian aesthetic tradition following the military campaigns of Alexander the Great and the subsequent establishment of Indo-Greek kingdoms.

The structural arrangement of the monograph provides a rigorous comparative analysis based on important archaeological excavations, particularly from ancient Taxila, Bhir Mound, Sirkap, and other strategic border towns of the northwest frontier where Greek influence was most pronounced. Dr. Chandra meticulously traces how Greek goldsmiths introduced classic Mediterranean motifs—such as filigree, granulation, repoussé work, and specific gemstone inlay settings—which initially catered to the local Indo-Greek ruling class. The text tracks how these foreign craftsmen were gradually influenced by indigenous artistic themes, leading to a unique hybrid style where classical Greek forms blended seamlessly with traditional Indian concepts. Organized systematically into functional design categories, the narrative comprehensively breaks down ornaments specifically crafted for the head, ears, neck, arms, wrists, fingers, and feet, documenting the precise manufacturing processes, metallurgy, and toolsets utilized by ancient jewelers during this vibrant era.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Rai Govind Chandra was an elite Indian academician, ancient historian, and multi-disciplinary author who earned his Doctorate from the prestigious University of Paris. Educated at Banaras Hindu University, he maintained deep academic leadership throughout his life, serving in prominent institutional positions including Vice-Chancellor of Varanasi’s Sampurnanand Sanskrit University and holding lifelong memberships in elite international bodies such as the Société Asiatique and the Numismatic Society of India.

Dr. Chandra’s research and writing style is deeply analytical, objective, and profoundly descriptive. He explicitly writes from the perspective of an experienced, hands-on archaeologist who relies heavily on physical evidence, material science, and stylistic cross-examination rather than speculative theories. His extensive literary footprint includes other foundational historical evaluations, such as The Development of Ornaments and Jewellery in Proto-Historic India and Iconography of Lakshmi, solidifying his reputation as a pioneering authority on the history of ancient Indian material culture.