Pre-Mauryan History according to the Puranas
Summary
This article assesses the reliability of the Puranas for reconstructing the period between the fall of the Brhadratha dynasty and the rise of the Mauryas. By collating and correcting the texts of the Vayu and Matsya Puranas, the author argues that they contain valuable historical information. The Pradyota rulers of Avanti are said to have reigned for roughly 137 years, while the Sisunaga dynasty lasted about 160 years. The paper notes that although scribes introduced errors, the Puranic lists of kings and reign lengths can be harmonised with Buddhist and other sources when critically examined. It emphasises that the Puranas, often dismissed as mythological, can offer a coherent chronological framework for pre‑Mauryan northern India if researchers collate different recensions and correct obvious mistakes. The article calls for greater scholarly attention to these texts and suggests that they are essential for understanding the transitions leading up to the Mauryan empire.
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Conclusion
The study concludes that the Puranas, despite their mythic tone, yield valuable chronological data when critically collated. By providing durations of dynasties like the Pradyotas and Sisunagas, they help fill gaps in early Indian history. Historians should therefore integrate Puranic evidence with Buddhist and Greek sources to build a more accurate picture of pre‑Mauryan India.