The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
Mumbai Research Centre
The Mumbai Research Centre of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai presents a specially curated visit to the Ambarnath Shivalaya with Dr. Kumud Kanitkar.
Built by three 11th century kings Chittaraja, Nagarjuna and Mummuni, the Ambarnath Shivalaya, on the bank of the Waldhuni, represents the zenith of Shilahara architecture, bearing a distinct iconography with outstanding sculptures. The oldest temple to be built in the Bhumija style, its garbhagriha is below ground, and open to the sky, and connected to the mandapa by a narrow antarala. It is richly decorated in sculptures, delivering a complete iconography of Shaiva and Vaishnava beliefs in stone.
This visit is a Darśaṇa; a mirror of society as it was then, located at the geographical and cultural crossroads, presenting an aesthetic blend of many styles, a seamless blend of reality, philosophy, emotions, and imagination.

The visit will be preceded by an orientation lecture (mandatory) by Dr. Kanitkar the previous evening (19th November). [Poster attached].

Date: 20th November 2022 (Sunday)
Time: 10.00 am to 2.00 pm
Venue: Ambarnath Shivalaya
(Participants to reach Ambarnath on their own)

Dr. Kumud Kanitkar is the author of the definitive monograph on the Ambarnath Shivalaya, and a renowned expert on Shaiva iconography. Her study has been followed by an equally masterly study of the Bhuleshwar Shivalaya of Pune.

Registration:
For members: ₹ Rs.750.00 | Payment Link: https://rzp.io/l/AmbMem
For the general public: ₹ Rs.1,000.00 | Payment Link: https://rzp.io/l/AmbGen
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande , Hon. Secretary
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Chairperson, MRC
- Dr. Madhu Kelkar, Convenor, MRC

The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
Mumbai Research Centre
Curated walk through Fort, mapping the old fort, with Raamesh Gowri Raghavan.
Sunday 6th November 2022 from 4.30 to 6.30 p.m.

The Mumbai Research Centre of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai presents a specially curated walk through Fort, mapping the old fort, with Raamesh Gowri Raghavan.
The Fort precinct of Mumbai was once a real fort, bristling with bastions and cannons. This walk will map the old curtain walls and gates as they stood. The fort had rather humble beginnings in 1665, as defences around the old manor house of Garcia d'Orta. 20 guns secured the settlement from the Dutch and the Marathas. In 1715, after multiple struggles with the company bosses in London and Calcutta for permission to spend on further fortifications, governor Charles Boone was able to begin the construction of a larger curtain wall with twelve bastions and three gates - the Bazaar Gate, the Church gate and the Apollo gate (between St.Andrew’s Church and Rampart Row). It was finished in 1722, with further defences added in the next 30 years in fits and starts, including the infamous choleric ditch.
The fort oversaw a deforested Esplanade, which was often the site of camp accommodation during the oppressive summers (for the Europeans). In 1862, as the population (beset with overcrowding, fires and cholera) expanded, and the threats from the Dutch, Siddis and Marathas had faded away, there was clamour for removing the ramparts. The Governor Sir Bartle Frere oversaw the rampart removal, and the transformation of the space created into the new 'Frere Town'.
Date: Sunday, 6th November 2022
Time: 4.30 to 6.30 pm
Venue: Fort (CSMT to Gateway and back)
(Exact assembly spot will be communicated in the dedicated WhatsApp group.)
Raamesh Gowri Raghavan takes an interest in the ethnoarchaeology of the Bene Israel; ancient board games, the archaeology of ballistic weapons and fortifications, ancient Indian trade and Shaiva iconography. He has taught epigraphy, linguistics, archaeozoology, palaeobotany, evolutionary biology, Dravidian linguistics and haikai at University of Mumbai CEMS, Sathaye College, Wilson College, INSTUCEN Trust, Mumbai Research Centre of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, and Speaking Archaeologically.
For members: https://rzp.io/l/ForMem
For others: https://rzp.io/l/ForGen

- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande , Hon. Secretary
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Chairperson, Mumbai Research Centre

The Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Mumbai Research Centre
3-Day Kanheri Site Seminar
Saturday, 28th Friday, 29th & Sunday, 30th October 2022

The Mumbai Research Centre of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai is pleased to present the much awaited 3-Day Kanheri Site Seminar on 28, 29 & 30 October 2022 with Prof Suraj Pandit.
Kanheri is a unique rock-cut Buddhist monastery complex which was functional for more than 1500 years, starting from the 1st c BCE. This 3-day site seminar (28th to 30th October 2022) will shed light over the various facets of Kanheri, and introduce the participants to various methods of interpretation of rock cut sites.

Venue
Kanheri Caves, Krishnagiri Upvan, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali (East), Mumbai.a
Starts at 8.45 am IST, 28.10.2022. Assembly at SGNP gate.
Ends at 6.30 pm IST, 30.10.2022. Drop off at SGNP gate.

Registration
For members: https://rzp.io/l/KanMem1
For others: https://rzp.io/l/KanGen1

Included
Transport from SGNP gate and back
Tickets for SGNP and Kanheri (ASI)
Expert fees
Study material
Vegetarian lunch and tea

Excluded
Accommodation

Chief Instructor
Prof Suraj A. Pandit, Head, Departments of Ancient Indian Culture and Buddhist Studies, Sathaye College, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai.

- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande , Hon. Secretary
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Chairperson

Release of the 15th edition of the book “The Essential Ambedkar” by Professor Bhalchandra Mungekar on Sunday, 9th October
I am attaching an invitation to the release of the 15th edition of the book “The Essential Ambedkar” by Professor Bhalchandra Mungekar, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Mumbai and Trustee of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, on Sunday, 9th October, 2022, at 5.00 p.m. at the K.C. College Auditorium, Churchgate, Mumbai 400 020.
Dr. Shashi Tharoor, M.P. (Lok Sabha) and an eminent scholar, will be the Chief Guest. Mr.Justice B.N. Srikrishna, Former Judge of the Supreme Court and Former Trustee of the Society, will preside.
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Hon. Secretary

The Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Mumbai Research Centre Uncovering Urban Legacies Tracing the Armenian Heritage Across Calcutta and Bombay In collaboration with Gateway House, JoJo and AVID Friday, 7th October 2022 Registration: 6.00 – 6.30 p.m.    Session: 6.30 – 8.00 p.m.

Lecture under the aegis of Centre for Labour Studies by Professor Bino Paul, Centre for Human Resources Management and Labour Relations School of Management & Labour Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, on “Indian Labour Market: a history of hope and despair.” The lecture will be held on Tuesday 6th September 2022 at 5.30 p.m. in the Durbar Hall of the Society.
Dr. Krishnan Narayanan, India Value Fund Chair Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Bombay, will preside.

- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Officiating Hon. Secretary
- Meenal Kshirsagar, Vice President of the Society & Chairperson Endowment Lectures Committee