Art of Central Asia (With Special Reference to Wooden Objects from the Northern Silk Route) (An Old and Rare Book)

This work represents the revised form of the author's thesis approved by the Freie Universität, West Berlin. West Germany for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 1975.

The present author wishes to express her best thanks to her supervisor, Prof. Dr. H. Härtel, the Director of Museum für Indische Kunst, West Berlin, for his kind suggestions towards the completion of this dissertation. She is further indebted to Prof. Dr. K. Bruhn, Professor of Indology and Prof. A. Gail, Professor of Indian Art in the Freie Universität, West Berlin.

The author heartily thanks the authorities of the libraries of the Staatliche Museen, Museum für Indische Kunst and Indologische Institut, Freie Universitätsbibliotheque and Staatsbibliotheque, West Berlin. To the members of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), who provided the author with a scholarship for a period of more than four years, her thankfulness knows no bounds. The author is heavily indebted to Prof. William Watson, Director of the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, for his inspiration.

The author expresses her deep gratitude to Dr. S. P. Gupta, Keeper, Central Asian Antiquities Department of the National Museum, New Delhi, who is the teacher and guide of the author and extended her all help and encouragement.

The author heartily thanks esteemed Shri C. Sivaramamurti, the then Director of the National Museum, New Delhi, and Dr. A.M.D. Rozario who provided the author with all administrative help needed in the matter of pursuing her study abroad.

The author is simply unable to express her deep gratitude in words, to Dr. N.R. Banerjee, the Director and Dr. P. Banerjee, Assistant Director of the National Museum, New Delhi: Shri M.N. Deshpande, Director General of Archaeology and Shri B.K. Thapar, Joint Director General of Archaeology of the Archaeological Survey of India: Prof. N. R. Roy, Prof. Lokeshchandra, Member of the Parliament and Shri Baldev Mahajan, Under Secretary of the Department of Culture and Social Welfare; who encouraged her very much in publishing the thesis from India.

The author deeply thanks Shri Balkrishan and Shri Ghaninder Singh of the National Museum and Mrs. R. Bhattacharya of the Crafts Museum for extending their warm co-operation in using the respective libraries.

The author wishes to thank Dr. N.K. Pal very much who generously gave his unpublished thesis on Crafts and Craftsman in Traditional India (now through the Press) for consultation.

The author is grateful to Km. Keya Bhattacharya for preparing the index of this book.

The author wishes to express her heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Nilima Roy, Mrs. Krishna Lal, Km. Jayashri Choudhry, Dr. Sachin Roy, Dr. B. N. Sharma, Dr. V.P. Dwivedi, Shri Lala Aditya Narain, Dr. G.N. Pant and Sarvashri S.P. Tiwari, Amarendra Nath and Dhanpat Rai of the National Museum, New Delhi, for their good wishes and every help given towards the completion of this book.

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