Regions from the Perspective of Changing Perceptions of Early India

The article focuses on the shifts in the historiographic gaze on the concept of the historical region and its multiple meanings. It emphasises that the sense of shared historical tradition and common culture leading to some kind of felt community or affiliation in a spatially distinguishable and culturally identifiable space evolves historically. Regions emerged as a consequence of the gradual convergence of historical forces, including language, art and culture. While regions shape and are being continuously reshaped by the trans-regional/pan-Indian, they are also constituted by the interplay of the sub-regions and localities. In spite of the different regional traditions and their varying trajectories of transformation; interactions across regions contributed to the forging of a common pool of ideas, values and symbols that went beyond the specific regions and was distinctly pan-Indian. The interactions within and between regions helped in the making of a composite culture.