Ancient Indian Historical Tradition

Let me clarify one thing, first and foremost. The review is for the publication. The work is five star. And now the review.This book deals with the genealogies of various ruling and priestly families and clans, as mentioned in the Puranas— traditionally held as texts dealing with myths and legends.Pargiter's work has been considered a classic and essential-read by scholars of Ancient Indian History. Reading the book has been truly an experience in itself, as the author went through each and every Puranic reference to establish something resembling western idea of History from stuff that have been considered as myths or ritualistic tales. In the process he literally pushed Vedic texts into the background and claimed Puranas as older and more reliable than the Vedas!It had been published almost a century back. Even then it must have caused a furore. Had it come out in present times, it would have become either a bestseller, or else would have come under vicious attacks from various corners.Unfortunately, due to its severely pedantic and dry nature, for a modern student it acts as a soporific.Also, the paperback edition under discussion does a gross disservice to the text. The printing is very poor. The century-old edition has been reproduced again, in similar font size and spacing, devoid of slightest touches of modern lay-out. The only map mentioned in the 'contents' is missing. Overall, this is the shoddiest production that I have seen from the vaunted MLBD.I honestly believe that this book should have a massive updation in terms of latest historical findings. That would perhaps provide the missing link between the Indus-Saraswati civilisation and the Vedic culture once and for all. Believe me, such a rigorous analysis of the Puranas has been unprecedented and remains peerless even now.

Nice quality.