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( viii) that Orissa first finds a mention. The Rāmāyaṇa contains only passing references, but the Mahābhārata gives details of different regions and peoples of Orissa, talking at one time with contempt and at another slowering praise upon them. Both the Buddhist and the Jaina literature are full of references to various parts of Orissa. So far as the historical period is concerned, the chief sources are archaeological and among them the epigraphical ones are most important. For instance, Aśoka's edicts are the main source of tracing the history of Orissa during the Maurya period. The Hāthigumpha inscription is of the greatest value in tracing the history of Khāravela and assessing the condition of the country and the people under him. But due to damages at places the reailings as well as the interpretations of various passages of the inscription differ widely. And what is worst is that most of ihe events are not corroborated by any other set of data. I have therefore aimed at utilising the most accepteil readings while cons. tructing the history of Klāravela.
The entire scheme has been divided into three books and sub-divided into fourteen chapters. Book I is divided into three chapters ( No. I to III). The first chapter deals with the physical features as well as the political divisions of Orissa from time to time. How Odra, Utkala and parts of Kalinga have merged into Orissa has been shown here. The second chapter deals with pre-history. Orissa has, for a very great length of time, been inhabited by pre-historic peoples. Hence, it is quite rich in prehistoric implements and weapons used by those people and it stands well in comparison with various other regions noted for prehistoric antiquities. The third chapter deals with the traditional history of Orissa as depicted in literature-Brahmanical, Buddhist, Jaina and
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