Select Contents of Oriental Journals
Summary
The article is a bibliographical review of recent publications in Oriental journals, covering a wide range of topics in Indology, Jain studies, and Indian history. The main argument is not explicitly stated, but the work serves to catalog and summarize recent scholarly contributions, including serial publications, manuscript notes, and individual journal articles from 1951 and 1952. The evidence and sources discussed are drawn from various academic journals such as the Adyar Library Bulletin, Art and Letters, the Indian Historical Quarterly, the Journal of the American Oriental Society, the Journal of the Asiatic Society, the Journal of Oriental Research, the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, the Journal of the University of Bombay, and Man in India. The text highlights several key areas of research. It discusses serial publications like the translation of the Sangitaratnakara, the editing of the Vedantakarika of Venkatacarya, and the Vrttaratnavali of Venkatesa. Manuscript notes cover works such as the Prasnabhinnotaravali of Srinivasakavi, the Kavikanthabbarana, and a new commentary on Jayatirtha’s Pramanapaddhati. The journals feature articles on ancient history, including C. Kunhan Raja’s account of Anatolia and the Hittites, and Genevieve Case’s work on the chronology of Gandhara. There are also numerous studies on epigraphy and numismatics, such as Sunil Chandra Roy’s work on the coins of Yasovarman, Diwakar Chandra Sikdar’s note on a Jajpur inscription, and Sunder Lal Hora’s study on irrigation tanks. The review further includes articles on philosophy and literature, like D. Datta’s study of Buddhapalita’s Madhyamakavritti, R. Rangaswamy Iyengar’s work on Bhartrhari and Dignaga, and B. S. Agnihotri’s interpretation of the Bhagavadgita. Additionally, it covers topics in art history, such as Harle’s article on Gandhara reliefs and H. Lindsell’s study of the Makara in Chinese sculpture. The text also mentions studies on Vedic texts, grammar, and the history of specific regions, including K. Hazareesingh’s work on Indian culture in Mauritius and H. C. Chakladar’s article on the prehistoric culture of Bengal. Finally, the review includes linguistic and lexicographical studies, such as H. G. Narahari’s work on Ananda in the Veda and Louis Renou’s suggestions for a polyglot Buddhist dictionary.
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Conclusion
This article highlights significant scholarly contributions across various disciplines within Indology and Indian history. It underscores the importance of critical textual analysis, such as the reconstruction of Buddhist commentaries from Tibetan sources and the editing of classical Sanskrit grammatical and philosophical works. The compilation also emphasizes the crucial role of epigraphy and numismatics in refining historical chronologies, including the reigns of the Palas, Gangas, and Rashtrakutas, and in tracing the interactions between ancient cultures like the Hittites and Indians. Furthermore, it showcases comparative studies in linguistics, literature, and art, demonstrating the interconnectedness of Indian traditions with Avestan, Chinese, and Gandharan influences. Ultimately, the selected contents reflect a broad, rigorous academic pursuit dedicated to uncovering and interpreting the rich, complex heritage of ancient and medieval India.