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Studies in the Political and Administrative Systems in Ancient and Medieval India

The earlier chapters of the present volume deal with a large number of topics relating to kingship, landlordism (sometimes mistaken as feudalism), tenancy, royal, charter, Pancayat system etc. Some of the following chapters contain discussions on certain royal officers the functions of some of them or their departments a few aspects of the judicial system some land measures and taxes etc. The third group of topics mostly concerns the interpretation of technical expressions found in epigraphical records.

The last section of the work consists of several appendices which are really some of the author’s recently published studies. Of these, one deals with the democratic traditions of ancient Indian and another with the functioning of the guilds, while a third contains a number of popular conceptions about the duties of Kings. The Subject of the last of the appendices is the traders privileges guaranteed by kings, which has been included here as a topic relating to kingship, though it is equally suitable for a study of economic life.

It will be seen that the book contains the learned author’s views on a great variety of matter respecting the political and administrative systems of ancient and medieval India. The treatment of the majority of topics is primarily based on information gathered from innumerable epigraphic records discovered in various parts of India and is characterised by an unusual mastery of details.

Northern India experienced great crises in the years between C.A. D. 475 and 1030. Many a time this part of the world was the scene of foreign invasions-Empires arose and disintegrated: society and economy changed to a great extent; many Brahman’s of this period migrated.

This work deals at length with various theories about relgion prevalent at the time when Megasthenes visited India very interesting and scholarly views have been put forth regarding investigations of Megasthenes their reliability and the reliability of his reporters.

Undoubtedly Culture of India lacks historical aspect inasmuch-as does not provide as to when an event took place or certain concept was first used

This Book is a study in political and legal theory. Its concern is with the power of Shahanshah- its essential nature its traditions the exercise of its function. In 7 Chapters, identifiable with the office of the Shahanshah the book offers – a synopsis of Iranian National Epic (1) Aspects of Achaemenid history and the establishment of the Monarchy (2) the aristocracy (3) the relationship between politics and religion (4) the armed forces (5) the Government (6) and law justice and rule (7). This is not a formal history but a record of series of parallels.

Historical Geography of Madhya Pradesh presents some complicated problems which require a systematic study. Sri Bhattacharyya has not only utilised geographical materials contained in the epics, the Puranas and Buddhist and Jaina literature but has also judiciously used inscriptional evidences and the accounts left by travellers. He has further supplemented his information by co-ordinating with the present day topography of the land. Divided into seven chapters, in a systematic manner-the Historical Background, The Central Provinces and Madhya Pradesh, The Mountain System, The River System, Territories and Districts, Capitals, Cities and Towns, Villages and Routes-the work gives a clear picture of the early historical geography of Madhya Pradesh. Copious documentation of references to primary and modern sources, bibliography, index and Maps enhance the value of the book.