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JAIN JOURNAL
a kind of short drawers mentioned in the NC has been worn by a queenly lady in the famous Toilet scene of the Cave No. XVII of Ajanta. The NC is not silent about the use of bahirnivasint and sanghāți as also the forms of kañcuka. The kañcuka or bodice could change as it is supposed in accordance with the tradition of the nunnery and the fashion of the affluent society or the chic. As shown by Dr. Sen,
"In the Paumacariya of Vimalasuri the kañcuka worn by Kalyanamala, who kept herself dressed up in male attire, is explained as a coatlike jacket full-sleeved and hanging upto the knees." (Page 169).
Dr. Sen's work contains important observations on fine arts including conventions of architecture. Apart from her learned considerations of the caitya, the stūpa, the lena and the devakula as finding place in the NC her study of secular architecture will remain as a lasting contribution. The description of the śītagrha, a kind of 'cool-summer-house', the mahāgyhas or large mansions, the vasati, i.e., the dwelling and the prākāra or ramparts are extremely important. The present publication also splendidly deals with subjects such as economic conditions, religion and social life, besides the medicine and health. From the NC it is known that,
the physicians always accompanied the army to the battle-fiel Like the doctors of Roman army as depicted on emperior Trajan's column these physicians attended the wounded during action. They “usually carried with them their bags of surgical instruments (satthakosa)." The book of Dr. Sen has two valuable Appendices, one on the diseases mentioned in the NC and the other on the geographical names contained in the NC. It is difficult to agree with the writer with regards to some of the identifications presented in the latter including the instance of Paumdravardhana which should not be ordinarily identified with Pandya and placed between Jhelum and Ravi. More caution and explanation are perhaps necessary to identify Roma and Vaccha. It may be enquired whether Roma may be equated or connected with Rome. Similarly the question remains whether Vaccha can be identified with the kingdom of Vatsa with its famed capital Kausambi associated with the memory of Satanika and Udayana.
The book has a very useful Index and a Bibliography. A Cultaral Study of the Nisitha-Cūrņi is beyond question an outstanding work in all respects.
-P. C. DASGUPTA
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