The Cultural Glory of Ancient India

From the Jacket

India has a millennia long glorious past. In mankind's history, it is unmistakably a rich chapter: splendid in expression and awe- inspiring in immensity. Recognized world-wide for the sublimity of its thought that transcends cosmic categories, the cultural glory of ancient India is well-manifest in its long intellectual traditions of Darsana, Dharma-sastras, Ayurveda, niti, Itihasa-Purana, Vyakarana and Kavyasastra. And these apart, it is seen in the heights it achieved in the realms of sculptural art, architecture, drama, poetry, music and even erotics.

Notwithstanding its vastly complex expressions, the book develops a sharply-chiselled cultural profile of ancient India- with spotlight on its creative genius, its intellectual traditions, and its landmark achievements. In projecting these distinguishing features of a great heritage, the Author an Indologist of international renown, has drawn on a bewildering mass of literary evidence: ranging from Vedic writings to Vastuvidya texts, from Arthasastra treatises to Alamkara Sastra works.

With wide-ranging bibliographic references and a comprehensive glossary of Sanskrit terms running over a hundred pages, the book will interest specialists and lay-readers alike.

About the Author

Dr. Sures Chandra Banerji is a distinguished scholar of ancient Indian history, scriptures and literary classics of almost every genre. With over half a century of serious involvement in Indological research, he has already authored 56 books that notably include titles, like Studies in the Origin and Development of Dharma sastra, Studies in the Origin and Development of Yoga, A Brief History of Tantra Literature, A companion to Sanskrit Literature, Society in Ancient India, A Companion to Indian Philosophy, and a Companion to Dharma sastra.

A retired Professor of Sanskrit, Fellow of Asiatic Society, and life Member of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute as well as Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute, Dr. Banerji was honoured with the Rabindra Memorial Prize: the highest academic award from the Government of West Bengal.