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of various industries, trade and commerce, both internal and external. This is eloquently proved by the archaeological and literary evidence and is also supported by the foreign accounts.
iv
The chronological systems adopted during different periods are a pointer to the fact that the rulers of Gujarat and the businesscommunity were alive to the changing situations and needs. It was, therefore, in the fitness of things that appropriate eras of reckoning were adopted by them from time to time. This adoptation was necessary on account of the existing political and cultural reasons.
The learned author of the present work has done immense service to the students of Indian history and culture by preparing a handy volume on the chronological systems in Gujarat. She has spared no pains in arranging the inscriptions and other records under various categories and highlighting their importance. The entire work has been planned in a scientific sequence. Details about certain records are not easily available to non-Gujarati scholars. These have also been incorporated in the present study.
I have no doubt that this work of Dr. Bharati K. Shelat will be widely appreciated and will serve its purpose adequately.
Sagar
15 December, 1986
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K. D. BAJPAI
Retd. Tagore Professor and Head of the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, University of Sagar
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