GS4-4

A Monolith's Tale: Investigating the Tangible and Intangible Components of the Memorial Stones of Kachchh, Western India

Gitarani Nair & Vrushab Mahesh

Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Faculty of Arts, The M. S. University of Baroda, India

Worship of deceased ancestors and heroes through the medium of memorial stones has been an integral aspect of the socio-religious practices in western India since medieval times. Locally known as Paliyas, the memorial stones commemorate individuals killed in battle, skirmishes and/or through the ritualistic practices of sati. Unlike other regions of peninsular India, they continue to be a living tradition in the region and serve as centres of ‘social gravity’, often influencing the socio-cultural lives of contemporary populations who live within their close proximities. Traditionally perceived as an insignificant cultural relic, they are now being increasingly investigated to draw analogies that can potentially be used to aid in the reconstruction and interpretation the social contexts of Megalithic traditions, and the hero memorials in other areas of peninsular India, where the practice of setting up of memorials or venerating them has ceased to exist. This presentation discusses the utility of studying memorial stones in western India as a significant source of information in the reconstruct social histories associated with sepulchral monuments. The memorial stones belonging to the Saba family from two settlements in Kachchh, Gujarat India are used as case studies.