________________ Extracts of Opinions on the Thesis of Dr. G. C. Choudhary, M.A., Ph.D. ... The present writer has shown in his thesis that in spite of what has been done by the "Purva Suris" in this respect, much can still be done, if one can strongly form his attention on a class of data not sufficiently utilised by them. The theme is a comprehensive one, and the author of the thesis has not only dealt with the Political History of Northern India in its different divisions in the ten chapters of Part I, but also attempted in its Part II to " reconstruct and review the Jain political concepts and administrative ideas prevalent traditionally and practically during the period."... His handling of the sources has been clever and at the same time circumspect. Some conclusions which have been drawn on their basis go against the usually accepted views.... There is no doubt that there is a great deal of originality in many of his theories.... One thing particularly praiseworthy in it is that it testifies to a great extent to his capacity for amassing a mass of materials in support of his own views or in refutation of the views of other scholars, with whom he does not agree. Part II of his thesis, which deals exhaustively with State and Administration as generally prevalent in northern India of the mediaeval period, is a distinct contribution and we would recommend the award of the Ph.D. degree of the Hindu University to him for this alone, though there are good points also in the other part of his work. Dr. J. N. BANERJEE, M.A., PH.D., F.A.S., Calcutta 21st March 1954 DR. R. B. PANDEY, M.A., D.LITT., Varanasi The thesis is a meritorious and exhaustive work, surveying the data of Jain literarure for the reconstruction of the Political History of Northern India from c. 650 A.D. to 1300 A.D. The author has very fully utilised the vast Jain literature relating to his subject : the chronicles, the Prabandhas, the narrative literature, Pattavalis, Prasastis, inscriptions etc. He is well grounded both in Sanskrit and Prakrit and has critically utilised the data from a first-hand study of the marerial. The numerous quotations given in the original in the footnotes increase the value of the thesis.... Each king of these dynasties is taken in his chronological order, the Jain data about him are stated forth, when available, and their reliability is discussed in the light of other literary and epigraphical evidence available for study. In several cases the candidate has been able to draw upon fresh sources and gives us a more detailed and trustworthy picture of the situation. He does not show any undue partiality for the Jain sources as contrasted with non-Jain ones. His weighing of evidences is generally critical and impartial. It is but natural that where history is shrouded in obscurity and uncertainty the candidate's conclusions should be sometimes unacceptable. But a critical reader will have to record that in several places the candidate has been able to throw fresh light on history, especially about the period dealing with the Muslim invasion of the 11th and 12th centuries. 30th September 1954 Dr. A. S. ALTEKER, M.A., LL.B., D.LITT. Dr. G. C. Choudhary has utilised Jain sources for constructing a Political History of Northern India for 600 years ( between 7th and the 13th centuries, A.D.). This has led to valuable additions to our knowledge of that period. Dr. Choudhary has shown painstaking scholarship in putting together relevant details from Jain literary works. I particularly welcome his cotribution to political theory and practice. On these two topics, his analysis presents many new features and represents an original contribution to a growing literature dealing with statecraft in Ancient India. SHRI S. V. SOHONI, M.A., I.C.S., 21st January 1964 Editor, Indian Numismatic Chronicle Fear Pemalle www.jainelibra
