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340 Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute
KANHADADE PRABANDHA BY PADMANABHA (Vol. I
Text), critically edited by Prof. K. B. Vyas and published by the Director, Rajasthan Puratattva Mandira, Jaipur, in the Rajasthan Puratan Granthamala, Vol. 11, 1953, pp. 1-8, 1-33, 1-275. Price Rs. 9-8-0
Kanhadade Prabandha is a mediaeval epic poem composed in V. S. 1512. It describes the heroic fight and the great sacrifice of the Chauhan king Kanhadade or Krishna Deva of Jhalor in Rajaathan while struggling against the Muslim invaders of north India. The work is no doubt important from the historical and literary points of view; but it is equally or even more valuable from the linguistic standpoint, for it was composed at an early stage when old Gujarati and old Rajasthan! were not much differentiated from each other.
The poem was first published by Shri Navalram Pandya in 1877-78 from a single manuscript, of V. S. 1930 discovered by Bühler. It was published later in 1913 in a better form by shri Derasari with the help of four manuscripts. the oldest among these being of V. S. 1648. Derasari's edition was republished in 1926 without any material change.
The present edition, which embodies the editor's patient labour of 14 years, is no doubt superior to those inentioned above. It is based on all the ten available manuscripts in Government and public libraries and in private collections. The editor has been lucky to have obtained a manuscript (designated by him as A which is dated in V. S. 1598 and copied at Jhalor, the place of the poet as well as of the hero of the poem. The importance of this manuscript, dated as it is only 86 years after the composition of the poem, can be easily realized. It was therefore not necessary for the editor to try to enhance its value by surmising without adequate evidence" It is probable that the copyist bad access to the poet's autograph or a direct copy of it." (p. 29).
This first volume comprises the text of the poem. The second volume is intended for giving the historical and linguistic background, a translation of the poem, an Index Verborum, and, if possible, critical and explanatory notes.
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