New delhi /Jajpur, September 23 (KCN): A proposal has been mooted for the revival of the ancient Puspagiri Vishwavidyalaya in Jajpur district and the establishment of an International Centre for Indian Ocean Culture Studies to undertake multidisciplinary research on Odisha’s maritime, cultural and civilisational links with the Indian Ocean region.
The proposal, put forward by Dr. Rabindra Narayan Behera, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Jajpur, envisages developing the proposed institution as a premier international research and academic centre focusing on the maritime heritage of Odisha and Eastern India and their historical connections with South and Southeast Asia.
According to the concept note, the Indian Ocean has played a significant role in the dissemination of Indian culture since ancient times. The eastern coast of India, particularly ancient Kalinga, maintained extensive maritime and cultural contacts with Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, China and Japan. Ancient ports and archaeological sites across Odisha and the eastern coast are cited as important evidence of these historical interactions.
The proposed centre would undertake systematic and scientific research into the maritime legacy of Eastern India, including ancient ports, trade networks, migration, cultural exchange, language, literature, religion, art and architecture. The concept note stresses the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving archaeology, applied archaeology, geography, oceanography, epigraphy, numismatics, history, languages, literature, art forms, dance and traditional practices.
Special emphasis has been proposed on the role of Buddhism and the Kalinga War in the spread of peace, non-violence and Indian cultural traditions across the Asian region. The centre would also examine archaeological and cultural evidence from sites such as Radhanagar, Langudi, Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Manikapatna and Khalkatapatna, besides other ancient port and Buddhist sites along the eastern coast.
The concept note further proposes research into cultural connections reflected in the languages, legends, customs and traditions of countries across the Indian Ocean region. It highlights the need to study indigenous and foreign sources available in Odia, Bengali, Sanskrit, Pali, Tamil, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew and Latin, along with archaeological, epigraphical and architectural materials.
Revival of Puspagiri Vishwavidyalaya
A major component of the proposal is the revival of Puspagiri Vishwavidyalaya, which, according to the concept note, functioned as an important ancient centre of learning in the region. The proposed revival would focus on the historical academic and Buddhist heritage associated with the Langudi–Radhanagar–Udayagiri–Ratnagiri region of Jajpur.
The concept note proposes a multi-campus academic framework, with the objective of creating an international centre of learning and research comparable in its specialised humanities focus to premier research institutions in the country.
It envisages offering Ph.D. programmes, diploma courses and advanced research programmes, while also attracting scholars and researchers from countries across the Indian Ocean region.
The proposal also refers to the development of National Waterway-5 (NW-5) and the Brahmani river system, linking the region’s maritime heritage with contemporary inland water transport, tourism and economic development.
Seven Major Research Segments
The proposed International Centre for Indian Ocean Culture Studies would have seven major research segments:
Maritime Heritage Studies
South Asian Cultural Studies
Language, Literature and Ethnic Studies
Buddhism and Peace Studies
International Cooperation
Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing
Archaeology and Applied Archaeology
The centre is envisioned as a pioneering research organisation in the humanities and cultural sciences, with an international character and strong technological orientation. Artificial intelligence and image-processing technologies would be used alongside conventional archaeological and historical research to document and interpret cultural heritage.
The proposal argues that such an institution would help establish Odisha’s maritime and cultural heritage on a stronger international academic platform while promoting heritage tourism, cultural diplomacy, research collaboration and economic development.
The proposed initiative is also expected to strengthen academic and cultural links between Odisha and the wider Indian Ocean community and provide an institutional framework for documenting the state’s centuries-old interactions with neighbouring civilisations.
Dr. Rabindra Narayan Behera, Member of Parliament, Jajpur, has emphasised the need for systematic research and institutional support to preserve, document and internationally showcase the rich maritime and civilisational heritage associated with ancient Kalinga and the Jajpur region.
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