2023-02-17 20:20:25 by ambuda-bot
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MADHURÄVIJAYAM
2. THE HISTORICAL VALUE OF THE POEM
It is an irony that the country with the most ancient
civilization should have very few original histories
about its past. Strictly speaking, the only historical
work of the past worth the name of history is Kalhana's
Rajatarangini, which tells the story of the kings of
Kashmir. Bana's Harshacaritam is no doubt very
valuable as a biography but there is a great deal in it
that does not partake of the nature of correct history.
It is only when we reach what is often called the
Muslim period of Indian History that we have regular
histories, whatever may be the degree of their objecti-
vity. Because of this paucity of historical works
belonging to the earlier periods western scholars have
sometimes criticised Indians as lacking any historical
sense'. But there is a great deal in our ancient litera-
ture which we can press into service in the writing of
Indian history. It will be profitable to read the Foreword
to the first volume of the Indian History series publish-
ed by The Bharatiya Itihasa Samiti in which Mr. K. M.
Munshi has discussed the scope and limitations of our
literary sources in the reconstruction of India's past
history.
6
The writing of India's past history purely from
literature is difficult, because, while literature, more
often than not, gives only meagre history, a good por-
tion of what it gives may often prove a snare or the
basis of a preconceived theory. There is therefore the
need to develop an objective outlook on the part of the
historians of India. Literature has to be used in most
cases mainly for corroborative purposes. As a hand-
maid to archaeology, epigraphy and numismatics, it is
really most valuable.
2. THE HISTORICAL VALUE OF THE POEM
It is an irony that the country with the most ancient
civilization should have very few original histories
about its past. Strictly speaking, the only historical
work of the past worth the name of history is Kalhana's
Rajatarangini, which tells the story of the kings of
Kashmir. Bana's Harshacaritam is no doubt very
valuable as a biography but there is a great deal in it
that does not partake of the nature of correct history.
It is only when we reach what is often called the
Muslim period of Indian History that we have regular
histories, whatever may be the degree of their objecti-
vity. Because of this paucity of historical works
belonging to the earlier periods western scholars have
sometimes criticised Indians as lacking any historical
sense'. But there is a great deal in our ancient litera-
ture which we can press into service in the writing of
Indian history. It will be profitable to read the Foreword
to the first volume of the Indian History series publish-
ed by The Bharatiya Itihasa Samiti in which Mr. K. M.
Munshi has discussed the scope and limitations of our
literary sources in the reconstruction of India's past
history.
6
The writing of India's past history purely from
literature is difficult, because, while literature, more
often than not, gives only meagre history, a good por-
tion of what it gives may often prove a snare or the
basis of a preconceived theory. There is therefore the
need to develop an objective outlook on the part of the
historians of India. Literature has to be used in most
cases mainly for corroborative purposes. As a hand-
maid to archaeology, epigraphy and numismatics, it is
really most valuable.