Review: Caulukyas of Gujarat
Summary
This review examines Asoke Kumar Majumdar’s monograph **Caulukyas of Gujarat**. The book surveys the rise of the Caulukya dynasty during the transitional period between ancient and medieval India and synthesises inscriptions, chronicles and foreign accounts. The reviewer summarises Majumdar’s chapters on the dynasty’s early rulers, its zenith under Siddharāja and Kumārapāla, and the administrative system that supported urban prosperity. He appreciates the author’s use of plates and genealogical tables but criticises his acceptance of dubious land‑tenure terms and interpretations of revenue divisions. The reviewer argues that some inscriptions cited by Majumdar, particularly those listing villages grouped into unusual clusters of 144 or 84, have been misread and that the author overlooks earlier observations by scholars like Hiralal and Bade‑Powell. Nonetheless, he concludes that the study is a solid contribution and will remain a standard work on the Caulukyas despite its minor errors.
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Conclusion
The reviewer welcomes Majumdar’s synthesis of diverse sources on the Caulukyas but cautions readers to verify some of his epigraphic interpretations. Despite these caveats, the book fills a gap in our understanding of western Indian history and provides a foundation for future research. Thoughtful engagement with primary sources remains essential.