A Historical Development of Middle-Indo-Aryan Language (With Reference to Buddhist Literature and Epigraphy)

About the Book

The present work is an exhaustive study. The work deals with the phonological development of the total range of Middle-In do-Aryan Language. The author has taken materials from the works relating to this topic, but has presented in her own style and has taken conclusion of her own. This study is comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the subject.

About the Author

Dr. Saheli Das, Nalinaksha Dutta Stipend holder of the Dept. of Pali, C. U. (Ist class 3rd in M.A.), JRF & SRF(UGC,NET) obtained Ph.D. degree from the University of Calcutta. She is trained in Ancient Indian Palaeography, Prakrit Language and Literature, Museum Studies, Manuscriptology and Tibetan Language. She was also worked as a Research Associate (post Doctoral Fellow), Dept. of Pali, C.D., UGC-UPE Scheme(West Asian Buddhism). She worked as a Guest Lecturer in the Dept. of Pali, Govt. Sanskrit College. Now she is working as a Guest Lecturer in Pali, Dept. of Languages, in Sanskrit Dept. and in Buddhist Studies, under Faculty of Arts, University of Calcutta. She is the Life Member of The Asiatic Society, Kolkata and Indian Society for Buddhist Studies, Jammu. She has more than thirty research papers (national and international) on different fields of Buddhism. She is the Acharya Buddhaghosha Award recipient of the year 2007.

Preface

The present study is based on my Ph.D. thesis entitled A Historical Development of Middle-Indo- Aryan Languages with Reference to Buddhist Literature and Epigraphy which I had submitted in 2006 and obtained the Ph.D. degree from the University of Calcutta in 2007. Some changes have occurred regarding the time period. This study is carried out under the direct supervision of Prof. Dr. Mani Kuntala Halder (De). the then Head of the Dep. of Pali, University of Calcutta. Kolkata. I am really indebted to my supervisor and it is not a matter of exaggeration to say that without her help and guidance in every respect alone could not get me reach the desired destination.

It is well known fact that the Indo-Aryan language which happened to be the mother of other North Indian languages was initially introduced in India by the intruding Aryans during 15th century B.C. Actually, the Indo-Aryan language can be divided three distinct categories. viz. Old-Indo- Aryan (upto 6th century B.C.). Middle-Indo-Aryan (6th century B.C. to 10th century A.D.) and New-Indo- Aryan (10 century A.D. onwards). Among those three categories, the Middle-Indo-Aryan (MIA) language which comprises of Pali and Prakrit has important historical values. Since Pali and Prakrit, belonging to the category of MIA language contained vast amount of historical material related to Buddhism. Cultivation of same in proper perspective is supposed to yield important results related to historical analysis.

The present study consists of seven chapters. Chapter - I is an introduction containing a general survey of MIA languages. The total period of MIA languages can be divided in four sub-divisions. viz. (a) period of early development. (b) transitional period. (c) period related to the development of later Prakrits and (d) later phase of development. Chapter - II contains the palaeographic records of MIA languages. Chapter- III deals with the history. structure and characteristics of Pali and Prakrit - the early MIA languages (6th century B.C. to l0th century B.C.). Chapter - IV depicts a phase of change in the realm of MIA languages (1st century S.C. to 4th century AD.) which includes Prakrit. Prakrit influenced by Sanskrit. Sanskrit influenced by Prakrit and the three dialects of the fragments of of Asvaghosa’s drama. Chapter - V deals with a particular stage development of literary prakrits (4^th century AD. to 6th century AD.) consists of Maharastri, Sauraseni, Magadhi, Ardha-Magadhi, Paisaci etc. Chapter - VI is. in fact, a discussion on the development of late MIA. i.e . Apabhramsa and Avahattha (6th century AD. to 10th century AD.). Chapter - VII forms the concluding part.

In this occasion. I would like to show my gratitude to Late Prof. Amitabha Bhattacharya. Dept. of Ancient History and Culture. C.U. and Late Prof. Niranjan Goswarni, Curator. Ashutosh Meseum of Indian Art. C.U. for their valuable instructions.

I am indebted to Prof. Satya Ranjan Banerjee, Dept. of Linguistics. C.U .. Prof. Late Subhadra Kumar Sen. Dept. of Linguistics. C.U .. Prof. Ratna Basu, Dept. of Sanskrit. C. U.. Prof. Samir Mukherjee, Dept. of Museology. C.U .. Dr. Sadhan Chandra Sarkar, Ex-Officer-in Charge. Govt. Sanskrit College. Kolkata. Late Dr. Kanai Lal Hazra, Dept. of Pali. C.U.. Late Prof. D.P. Guha, Nalanda Mahavihar, Prof. V.P. Jain. Director. Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology. Delhi for their valuable suggestions and continuous instructions.

I convey my heartfelt thanks to the authorities of the Central Library, University of Calcutta, Museum & Library of The Asiatic Society, Kolkata, Library of the Govt. Sanskrit College, Kolkata and Library of the Bhogilal Leherchand Institute of Indology, Delhi for giving me permission to consult books, documents and periodicals from time to time.

On a personal note, I must mention the name of my parents, Shri Sunil Kumar Das & Smt. Keya Das, for their constant prodding and encouragement. I am grateful to my sister Smt. Sanoli Das Ghosh and brother-in-law Shri Supratim Ghosh and my niece Sambodhi Ghosh for their encouragement. My Husband Shri Surajit Sarkar provided me immense cooperation at every step. I am greatful to my father- in law Late Swarnakamal Sarkar and mother-in-law Smt. Shila Sarkar. I am really indebted to my friend Shri Supriyo Biswas for his technical assistance. I am specially indebted to my Gurudev Late Kamal Kumar Sinha.

I am also thankful to Shri Prashanta Bhattacharya of Punthi Pustak, Kolkata for undertaking the heavy tusk of publishing this book with great care.

Besides those, I acknowledge my gratitude towards those persons who helped me a lot without mentioning their name.

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