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Ancient Indian Dynasties
The book is divided into 28 chapters. The first chapter throws light on certain landmarks of the history of ancient India, which starts with the "Stone Age" and covers thousands of years before it enters into the period of Indus Valley civilisation. In the second chapter, the writer discusses the main sources such as Vedic literature, Puranas, classical Sanskrit literature, Buddhist literature, lain literature and archeological publications as regards their contents, origin, development, reliability and, relative importance in the context of political history of ancient India. In the successive chapters, the history of Manu Vaivasvata, Pramshavas and Turvasas, Ila, Puru, Bharata, Kuru, Bharatas and Purus, Bharatas of North and South Panchala, Bharatas of Kashi, Bharatas of Jahnavas, Kurus of Magadha, Anavas, Anga and Purus, Hai hayas, Yadus, Madhu and Satvant, Sattavatas, Yadus and Kurus of Chedi, Druhyus, Turvasas, Aikshvakus, Janakas of Mithila, Shakas and Aikshavakus, Anenas and post-war dynasties are investigated and analysed in detail. The author inspects closely to determine the details of these ancient dynasties. Several well-known personalities of Vedic literature and Puranas such as Manu Vaivasvata, Ila, Yayati, Bharata, Ajamidha, Sauhotra, Parikshit, Mandhatr, Bhagiratha, Dilipa and lkshvaku, etc. have been discussed thoroughly with genealogical list. A critical examination of the Puranic texts and Vedic literature reveals the tact that the Puranic genealogies in some cases refer to the same persons figuring in the Vedic literature. The Puranic data about some of the royal dynasties, kings, and Brahmana families find confirmation in Vedic literature, and there is no basis for the view that there are hardly any points of contact between the Vedic and Puranic traditions. Here V. S. Misra refers to the important persons who appear in both Vedic literature and the Puranas. This is the real contribution of Misra, and this is a laudable attempt. The research methodology adopted by him is commendable. In the last chapter, the author is of the view that the chronology of ancient India has been engaging the attention of the historians, both in India and abroad and, therefore, he has tried to tackle this problem by analysing the material available established on different aspects such as linguistic, astronomical, archaeological, geological, epigraphical and the statements on chronology itself in Vedic and Puranic literature. It is essential to adopt a combination of modified versions of the different scholars techniques with a view to obtaining the results, which would be in harmony with various acceptable traditions to the maximum possible extent. What this average figure should be, can be decided best only by the historians-cum-trained statisticians. Since this is essentially an arithmetical exercise, the results would be subject to revision as and when fresh evidence is forthcoming. There are six appendixes and an exhaustive bibliography on the subject. Misra has provided a detailed but very effective account of the ancient Indian dynasties from Manu Vafvasvata to Post-War Dynasties and a chronological scheme of traditional history that will surely make a strong and noticeable influence on the future writers. The scholarly work will be useful to scholars and researchers interested in traditional history.
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THE
book discusses about the dynasties of ancient India from the thematic,
geographic and temporal angle. The author has covered the distinctive
features of ancient Indian dynasties from the earliest time to post-war
dynasties by doing a thorough research on Vedic and Puranic literature.