About the Author:
Shri R C Tripathi (b. 1939) is one of those rare administrators, who bring a scholarly vision to the job they take up. And this is not surprising, in view of the fact that, before joining the IAS, he taught at the University of Allahabad. As an IAS officer, Shri Tripathi served on various posts with distinction, both in the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the Government of India. From 1995 to 1997, he served as Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, and from October 1997, he held the post of Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha, till his retirement in 2002. Shri Tripathi served the ASI for some time in 1987, as DG. Shri Tripathi has been actively engaged in academic pursuits, and published a number of learned articles on education, culture, public administration, and parliamentary and legislative matters in journals of IIPA, The Parliamentarian, and others. His has authored Emergence of Second Chamber in India, and edited a number of publications of the Rajya Sabha, and also co-editor of Triratna : Heritage, Governance and Equity (Hon Sri T N Chaturvedi Festschrift). He is a member of CABA, Government of India; Indian International Centre, New Delhi; Executive Committee of The Bhawan’s Centre, Allahabad, and The Bhawan’s Mehta Institute, Bharwari (UP); chairman of the Akhila Bharatiya Sanskrit Parishad, Lucknow; patron of the Sanskrit Society of India, New Delhi; and Chancellor’s Nominee in the Executive Council of the University of Lucknow.
Dr Agam Prasad (b. 1949), BSc, MA, PhD, PG Diploma in Museology, MD(H), is a renowned social worker and Managing-Director of Agam Kala Prakashan, Delhi. He has dedicated his life to the service of Indology, publishing not only established scholars in the field, but also encouraging budding researchers by taking up the publication of their maiden works. He has himself authored Rajasthan ki Prachina Rajanitika Samsthaen (Hindi), acted as co-editor of Felicitation Volumes (Triratna, Dimensions of Indian Art, Vajapeya, and Svasti-sri), and published over a dozen research papers. He is the Honorary General-Secretary of the Commonwealth Historians’ Society, and life Member of Indian Association for the Studies of Conservation of Cultural Property, Indian Archaeological Society, Museums Association of India, ICOM, INTACH, Epigraphical Society of India, Plane Name Society of India, Art and Culture Society of India, etc. He is a widely travelled man. The Indian Astro-Palmists Association of India awarded him the title of Hasta Rekha Martanda and a silver medal.
Prof Prashant Srivastava (BA Honours, MA, PhD, DLitt) is Head of the Department of Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, University of Lucknow. After he had received his Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, both with a first class first, from the University of Lucknow, he was awarded a research fellowship by the University Grants Commission.He is the recipient of four gold medals—one for BA Honours, two for MA, and one for DLitt. He is the author of twelve books, including Joint Coin-types of Ancient India, Aspects of Ancient Indian Numismatics, Art Motifs on Ancient Indian Coins, The Apracharajas, and Gleanings in Ancient Indian Numismatics, and co-editor of History and Heritage. His other publications include about sixty research papers, and over two dozen popular articles. His Encyclopaedia of Indian Coins is the fruit of his endeavours in connection with a major research project, awarded to him by the University Grants Commission.
