Life in Ancient Uttarapatha (An Old and Rare Book)

An effort has been made in the following pages to study the North Indian Sculptures and Terracottas belonging to the Stunga and Kushana periods (C. 200 B.C. to 300 A.D.) and to present on that basis a systematic account of Indian Civilization in those ages. Contemporary literature has also been used to interpret the sculptural evidence as far as possible.

The work was begun in the in the Year 1949, but it could not be completed earlier because I could devote only my spare time for this research and secondly a major portion of my time was taken in preparing the line drawings, which appear in this work. I have sketched a fairly good number of these illustrations from the original pieces of art exhibited in various museums, while others have been prepared from the photographs,

Technical terms in Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit appear in slanting letters with diacritical marks. Hindi acid Marathi words appear in ordinary type, though they too have diacritical marks on them. This interesting subject was first suggested to me by late Dr. A. S. Altekar, then Head of the Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture in the Banaras Hindu University. Under his guidance the work was begun. When he proceeded to Patna, its progress was supervised by Dr. R. C. Majumdar for the time being ; but it was only under the able guidance of Dr. V. S. Agrawala, Head of the Department, of Art and Architecture in the Banaras Hindu University-that' could complete my work. This could not have been possible but for his kindness in sparing freely his valuable time and initiating me in the scientific methods of cultural and historical research. The work was completed in the year 1956 and on its basis I was awarded the Degree in the same year but publication of this work with more than eight hundred line drawings was a problem in itself. Prof. Agrawala again came there to my rescue. By his efforts the University decided to publish this Thesis at their own. cost in 1960, and the work was taken up immediately. Years rolled on, but for one reason or the other it could not be seen through press till this date. Passing.

away of both of my Teachers, whose pleasure would it have been to see the work in print, added to this unforeseen delay. However, thanks to the new authorities of the Banaras Hindu University Press that at my request they took up the 'over delayed' matter in right earnest and extended every possible co-operation. I would also express my indebtedness to the authorities of the various 'Museums viz. at Lucknow, Mathura, Allahabad, Varanasi, Gwalior, Patna and Bombay and to the various Librarians of Varanasi such as that of the Sarasvati Bhavana of the then Government Sanskrit College, Vishwanath Goyanka Sanskrit Library, Hindu University Library and the Arya Bhasha PustaKalaya of the Nagari Pracharini Sabha.

The authorities of different institutions gave me their ever ready courteous help by way of lending books or granting permission to take photographs or prepare sketches. I am also thankful to Shri B. S. Sitholey, late Pt. S. N. Jharkhandi and all other helpers, worthy friends and colleagues, who played important role by either their own ideals or by giving timely suggestions, help, guidance and encourgement in the hours of lethargy, dejection and disappointment, which a young scholar has to face more than once. In this connection I must acknowledge the quiet co-operation that has been forthcoming from my wife Smt. Mandakini Joshi. I would definitely be failing in my duties if I do not grate-fully mention the authorities of the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi for their financial help without which this Thesis would have perhaps never seen the light of the day. The work is being published here as it was in 1956. I could not incorporate fresh material in it, now available as a result of recent Excavations and new finds. In spite of my best efforts to be precise in the use of diacritical marks, I beg indulgence for errors of omission and commission and also for a few printing mistakes that have crept in.

**Content and Sample Pages**