2023-02-16 11:11:44 by ambuda-bot
This page has not been fully proofread.
Introduction
The Utility of the Present Glossary
A study of the ancient Indian political ideas
and institutions forms an indispensable part of the
cultural history of India. Hence, for the whole
community of the students of Indology, ancient
Indian polity has a sustained interest. The Indians,
particularly, may highly be benefited by a fami-
liarity with the ancient political wisdom. That
Dr. K. P. Jayaswal's writings overstressing the
democratic element in the ancient Indian way of
life, in the pre-independence days worked as a source
of inspiration to the Indians in their struggle for
freedom is rightly observed by as great a savant
as Prof. A. L. Basham." Prof. Basham, however,
observes also that there was a great disadvantage
of undue reliance on the pedantic theory or ancient
tradition.¹8 But even for a rejection of the tra-
ditional theory, we must first examine it with the
same amount of meticulous care as is obtained
in case of the pedantic theory itself. "Professor
F. W. Thomas in 1937 in reply to an address
of welcome given by professors of Sanskrit
College, Calcutta, predicted that India would achieve
her political freedom in no time and the future
rulers of India would be able to conduct the Indian
23
17. Cf. "Such patriotic scholars as Dr. K.P. Jayaswal, writing
when India's independence had not been achieved, did much to
give her people faith in themselves, and therefore may have
served a practical purpose". (The Wonder that was India, p. 110.)
18. Cf. "The kingdoms of medieval Hindu-India...were quite
incapable of withstanding the Turks, whose military science
was not overburdened by pedantic theory or ancient tradition".
(Ibid., p. 136.)
Digitized by
Google
Original from
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
The Utility of the Present Glossary
A study of the ancient Indian political ideas
and institutions forms an indispensable part of the
cultural history of India. Hence, for the whole
community of the students of Indology, ancient
Indian polity has a sustained interest. The Indians,
particularly, may highly be benefited by a fami-
liarity with the ancient political wisdom. That
Dr. K. P. Jayaswal's writings overstressing the
democratic element in the ancient Indian way of
life, in the pre-independence days worked as a source
of inspiration to the Indians in their struggle for
freedom is rightly observed by as great a savant
as Prof. A. L. Basham." Prof. Basham, however,
observes also that there was a great disadvantage
of undue reliance on the pedantic theory or ancient
tradition.¹8 But even for a rejection of the tra-
ditional theory, we must first examine it with the
same amount of meticulous care as is obtained
in case of the pedantic theory itself. "Professor
F. W. Thomas in 1937 in reply to an address
of welcome given by professors of Sanskrit
College, Calcutta, predicted that India would achieve
her political freedom in no time and the future
rulers of India would be able to conduct the Indian
23
17. Cf. "Such patriotic scholars as Dr. K.P. Jayaswal, writing
when India's independence had not been achieved, did much to
give her people faith in themselves, and therefore may have
served a practical purpose". (The Wonder that was India, p. 110.)
18. Cf. "The kingdoms of medieval Hindu-India...were quite
incapable of withstanding the Turks, whose military science
was not overburdened by pedantic theory or ancient tradition".
(Ibid., p. 136.)
Digitized by
Original from
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN