Kalipada Mitra

Fanciful Derivation of Words

By Kalipada Mitra

The article explores the tradition of fanciful etymology in ancient Indian and Greek thought, where meanings were derived from sound associations rather than scientific philology. Examples include…

Dramaturgy in the Mahapurana of Puspadanta

By Kalipada Mitra

Focusing on Puspadanta’s Mahapurana (composed AD 959–969) and its commentary, this article discusses the text’s embedded terminology of dance and theatre. Puspadanta briefly mentions poses (cāri),…

Some NIA Words from Apabhramsa

By Kalipada Mitra

In “Some NIA Words from Apabhramsa,” Prof. Kalipada Mitra investigates lexical features of Apabhramsa literature and their connections to New Indo‑Aryan (NIA) languages. Focusing on three major…

Some Tales of Ancient Israel, their Originals and Parallels

By Kalipada Mitra

The article �Some Tales of Ancient Israel: Their Originals and Parallels� examines how several biblical narratives from early Israelite history share close parallels with older traditions from…

Some Tales of Ancient Israel, Their Originals and Parallels

By Kalipada Mitra

This engaging essay juxtaposes a cluster of moral tales from disparate cultural traditions that share a common narrative pattern of exaggerated or whimsical judgements. The first part recounts a…

Historical References in Jain Poems

By Kalipada Mitra

This study surveys the collection of medieval Jain poems known as the Aitihasik Jain Kavyasangraha and assesses their value as historical evidence. The compiler notes that most of these poems are…

Defence of Patna against the Pindari Incursion of 1812

By Kalipada Mitra

In March 1812, British authorities in Bihar faced an imminent threat from a large Pindari force estimated at 10,000–12,000 horsemen advancing toward Patna after plundering villages near Sassaram and…

Who were the Patḍḳyas of Madura?

By Kalipada Mitra

Magic and Miracle in Jaina Literature

By Kalipada Mitra

Magic and miracles hold significant roles in Jain literature, encompassing practices from crude protective rituals to subtle feats like mind-reading, levitation, and invisibility. Protective measures…

Crime and Punishment in Jaina Literature

By Kalipada Mitra

The article examines concepts of crime and retribution in early Jaina texts. In the primordial ages overseen by kulakaras, transgressions were addressed through simple exclamations of censure,…

Māniyār Maṭh and Snake‑cult

By Kalipada Mitra

The Maniyar Math in Rajgir is a massive brick structure adorned with well-preserved 5th-century CE reliefs, primarily depicting Naga figures. Archaeological discoveries, including three many-spouted…