Indian Antiquary Vol 60

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 277

DECEMBER, 1931)
BOOK-NOTICE
247
BOOK-NOTICE. HARSHA (Calcutta University Roodership Lectures, Yasodharman of Mandasor can by a stroke of the
1925), by Radhakumud Mookerji, M.A., Ph.D., | pon bo transformed into a ruler of the Maitraka Itihasa Siromani, Professor and Head of the lino of Valabhi, and be still allowed to retain his Department of Indian History, Lucknow blood relationship with Yahodharman, Yasovat? University. Oxford University Press. London: And Bhandi (an account of whose struggle with Humphrey Milford. 1926.
hie "natural fathor" is alluded to on p. 17). Chandragupta and Aboka, Babur and Akbar Besides those inconsistencies, we find inaccuraaro no longer figures of a dead past, whose namos cies. On p. 19 the responsibility for statemente raise but fow echoes in the hearts of the living. in the Gaudardjamalá is fathored on Mr. A. K. The story of their exploits and achievements has Maitra, giving Rai Bahadur R. P. Chanda the cold been recounted by scholars with a wealth of detail shouldor. Similarly on p. 157 two passages are and a sobriety of judgment which bid fair to with. borrowod from the Priyaclarsikd, pp. xl, xli, edited stand the ravening tooth of timo. But, strange by Nariman, Jackson and Ogden, but are fastened w it may seem, Harsha, "the Akbar of the Hindu upon Cowell and Thomas. But a stran period," who was fortunate to have an eminent is the transference of the Vindhyakotu episode Indian biographer and an equally distinguishod from the Priyolarsikd to the Raindvall (vide p. 153). foreign panegyrist, is still without an up-to-date ! On p. 29, n. 1, we have a roference to country and authoritative history in the English language. oalled Svaretra, alleged to be one of the five Indias
Under those circumstances it is only natural of the Chinese pilgrims (notwithstanding Watters, that we should gratefully receive it, when & work i, 140). The wrong name is repostod on pp. 44 on the Kanauj Emperor comes from the pen of and 201. One wonders whether the ItihasaDr. R. K. Mookerji. The book embodies lectures Siromani bas even heard of the Sanskrit couplet :delivered before the Calcutta University as & Read. Sdrastutah Kanyakubjah Gaudd Maithil-Otkalah er, and is now published as one of the Rulers Pancha Gaudu iti khydid Vindhyasyotlaraudsinah. of India Series. It consists of seven chapters en- Further proof of the author's up to dato knowledge of titled :-1. Early Life and Accession ; 2. Campaigns, geographical nomenclature is afforded by the reference Conquests and Suzerainty ; 3. Assemblies; 4. Admi-l on page 167 to SankAbral=Kapitha). and on n. 180 nistration : 6. Religion and Looming: 6. Econo- to Sribhoja, notwithstanding anything written by mic Conditions; and 7. Social Life. Besides there Coedde and Foucher (Sir A. Mookerji Silver Jubilee are Notes, Index, Plates and a Map of India
Volume III, Orientalia, Part I, pp. 3-4). A perusal of the book, however, has greatly On page 145, n., the author expresses the opinion disappointed us. The author has collected his that "Haron seems to have had some touch with materials from various sources, but he has not Christianity too. Dr. Edkins makes the state. shown much discrimination or critical judgment ment that his court was visited by the Syrian in sifting the materials which he has taken paine Christians, Alopen, and his companjona in 639 to gather from the storehouses of Fleet and Max A.D. (Athenaeum, July 3, 1880, p. 8)." Imagine Müller, Beal and Wetters, Hoornle and Lévi, our surprise when on opening p. 286, n., of Max Cowell and Jackson, Ettinghausen and Panikker, Müller's "India, what can it teach us," 1883, we Vaidya and Smith, and a host of others. Much of find the following lines: "Dr. Edkins (Athenaeum, the material collected is somewhat out of date and 1880, July 3, p. 8) informs us that the same emperor consequently of doubtful value.
who received Hiouen Thsang, received with equal Ingtances of inconsistency sro fairly common. favour the Syrian Christians, Alopen, and his comOn page 41 of the book " Kajangala" is mentioned panions in 639 A.D." Unfortunately the author as the ancient name of Rajmahal. But on pages does not appear to know that the view crucainod 47, 75, and 85 the form "Kajughira," favoured by in the passage, borrowed without acknowledgment scholars whose views have become out of date, from Max Müller, namely, that Christians came to is rostored. The author pays equal honour to India in 639 A.D., has been given up by scholars Hoernle and Lévi, as Harsha did to Siva and the (JRAS., 1915, pp. 839-40). And what is worse Buddha. Thus on page 12 Queen Yasovati's is, that if Prof. Mookerji had really examined the brother is declared to be no legs a person than passage in the Athenaeum, as he implies he has the "Emperor" Siladitya of Mâlava, who is repre- done, Mr. Rama Shankar Tripathi would not have sented as the son of Yasodharman “ Vikrama- been compelled to inform scholars that the original ditya," and the father of Bhandi. But on p. 31, n., referred not to Haraha, but to the Emperor of Siladitya is "the original ruler of Valabhi to which China, who welcomed Hiuen Tseng on his return he annexed Me-la-po." Tho bewildered student from India and also receivod the Syrian Christiana, ia at a loss to find out how the imporial son of Alopen, and his companions (JRAS., 1928, p. 629).
1 "His gifts in poetry could hardly find expression in words";
"pouring forth in art-poesy and in stories a nectar unquaffed, etc."