Date: 25/03/2015 - 26/03/2015
Time: All Day
Venue: IGNCA, New Delhi
This Conference aims to focus on the life and legacy of Aurel Stein who like, Xuanzang- the traveller and scholar travelled through the inhospitable Silk Road, encircling the Taklamakan Desert, and unearthed a great civilization which remained hidden in the sand dunes for centuries.
Stein was the first among Europeans to understand the ethos of Kashmir’s culture. This great savant explored the inner essence and beauty of Sanskrit literature especially the Rajatarangini of Kalhana. Stein proved his utmost dedication and devotion by editing and translating Kalhana’s chronicle and made his debut as a historical topographer.
Stein was not the first westerner to reach Dunhuang, China but he was the first to reach the sealed library (library 17 of Dunhuang Caves, Gansu, NW of China) and to acquire a large part of its contents from this library.
Stein was a meticulous record-keeper and took notebooks and field diaries to record all aspects of his expeditions. And his record keeping has been invaluable for the study of the sites he explored and the excavated artefacts.
This Conference will provide opportunity for scholars and students to know about this great personality who devoted his life in understanding the great civilization i.e. India, Central Asia and China.
IGNCA is organizing Exhibition Aurel Stein: Fascinated by the Orient-life and work of Sir Aurel Stein in collaboration with The Library and Information Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and also in collaboration with Hungarian cultural information centre, Delhi. Dr. Agnesh from Budabest has curated this exhibition. Dr. Rita Jeney from Hungary is also participating in the conference.