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Critique
xvii Reproduction of original epigraphs and the palaeographic chart have greatly enhanced the usefulness of the work.
Prof. M.C. CHOUDHURY Kurukshetra University
(Prāci-Jyoti, VIII)
The book, written in lucid and simple style, is a very useful and helpful contribution to the literature on the subject.
Dr. M.L. SHARMA
Jaipur (Journal of the Rajasthan Institute of Historical Research, IX, 3)
Dr. Shashi Kant's monograph is a lucidly argued and fairly presented attempt to set out the problems and to find the answers. Nothing is more probable than that Khāravela, a pious Jaina, should have dated the events in his epigraph in the Mahāvīra Era which it is believed, began on the day of the nirvāņa of Mahāvira, October 15, 527 BC.
The Tamil Sangam poems refer to the Nandas. There is an old tradition of the south's contacts with them, though these might be less intense than those with their successors, the Mauryas, of whom Bindusāra is said to have invaded the region.
The Hāthigumphā epigraph is also important in Jaina theological history. Dr. Shashi Kant seems to break new ground in explaining its significance.
The Bhabru edict mentions many Buddhist scriptures, the identification of which has caused some difficulties. Dr. Shashi Kant suggests many identifications of the sacred texts mentioned in his immaculate edition of the edict.
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