Contrary to the general depiction especially in colonial era scholarships, the central Himalaya region was actually a fountainhead of culture and language.
Various aspects related to the history, folklore and culture of the region will be revealed at an international seminar “Unfolding Central Himalaya-Cradle of Culture” being organised by the Doon library and Research Centre (DlRC) at the Songtsen library from December 11 to 14.
Addressing the media here on Wednesday, honourary director of DlRC, Dr BK Joshi said that the international seminar will have 11 subject experts from foreign countries and 22 from across India presenting papers on the history, folklore and culture of the Central Himalaya region.He said, “New research and studies have shown that contrary to the culturally unimpressive position of the central Himalaya region as depicted by some scholars, this region was actually an important cultural centre which played a major role in the varied cultural aspects of the Indian subcontinent and even beyond. The international seminar slated to be inaugurated by chief minister Harish Rawat at the Songtsen library on Friday will focus on cultural and historical aspects of Uttarakhand and western Nepal region. There is a history of cultural exchange between Uttarakhand and western Nepal region, both situated in the central Himalaya region,” he said.
The DlRC has chosen to hold this international seminar this year because 2015 also marks the bicentenary of the Treaty of Sugauli. The treaty was signed on December 2, 1815 by Gajraj Misr, representing Government of Nepal, and lieutenant-Colonel Bradshaw of the East India Company. This treaty sealed the fate of the regional rajdoms in central Himalaya for good. Joshi further said, “This treaty compares well with the Treaty of Westphalia in that it was the first time that the concept of nation-state was introduced in South Asian polity. It also witnessed the emergence of an entirely new concept of governance in central Himalaya and caused profound impact on the socio-economic, cultural, and political aspects of life.” He also informed that efforts are being undertaken to develop the DlRC as a centre of knowledge especially on the varied aspects of social sciences in the central Himalaya region.
Former history professor at Kumaon University, MP Joshi said that the various researchers and scholars from foreign countries and India will present papers on varied aspects of the culture, history and folklore which will reveal the significant position of the central Himalaya region.