________________ ( xy ) lecturers at that time, retired from Calcutta and Jadavpur Universities after serving there as Professors and Heads of Ancient History and History Departments respectively. The joint author of no. 35 (the second of the two) also later rose to a similar position in the Bihar University, The piece (00, 51) entitled "Vaisali awaits further excavation' prepared by the editors and meant to serve as the epilogue of the volume (1948) bas been allowed to appear unaltered, although considerable excavations have been carried out in the Vaisali area (Basarh-Chakramdas-Kolhua and adjoining villages) during 1950, 1958-62 and 1976-78. We had recourse to this in order to avoid anachronistic situations. The long delay in the publication of the second edition has robbed us of many of our valued contributors. We are sorry they could not see the present edition with their own eyes. . Coming to the subject of illustrations, the original edition had eight plates, viz., Asoka column of Kolhua, Image of Kartikeya kept at Hari Katora temple; Tomb of Shaikh Muhammad Qazin Shuttari at Basarb. three images of Pala period kept at the old Bauna Pokhar Temple; a stone tablet with spiral ornament belonging to the Gupta period; Map of the Vaisali and adjoining villages (based on one given in the Archaeological Survey of India Annual Report for 1903-04) (these six plates were numbered as I to VI); some Vaisali seals (6 seals on one page); and the Buddha's last look on Vaisali (a painting by Dinesh Baxi). They faced pp. 161. 176. 177, 81 and inner title page. Of these, six (first four and last two) have been retained. Nos, 1-4 and 8 appear here as plates XII, XX, XXI, XIX and VII respectively; no. 7 ('Some Vaisali Seals') has been given along with the relevant article (no. 30) without bearing any plate no. The remaining two (stone tablet and map) have been omitted. The current edition has as many as 31 illustrations including 8 paintings. 29 of them, constitute plates I-XXIX; the two upnumbered illustrations are some Vaisali Seals and "Inscription on the alms-bowl of Buddha' (given along with the article no. 47). Much water has flowed down the Ganga and the Gandaka, from the time the first edition saw the light of the day, and that is reflected not only in the subject matter of the articles, but also in the illustrations. Dr. A. R. Kidwai, the Governor of Bibar, bas honoured us by contributing the foreword to this volume in spite of his numerous engagements. Besides, his constant interest in Vaisali and our activities has been a source of inspiration and encouragement to us. Indeed, the present shape of the volume owes much to him. We must say we do not have adequate words to express our sense of gratitude to him. We have been considerably helped by some officers of the Raj Bhavan also like Shri A. K. Basak, I. A.S. (Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor).
