A New History of the Indian People: Vol. VI—The Gupta-Vakataka Age (Review)
Summary
The cooperative “History of the Indian People” series, conceived by Sir Jadunath Sarkar and brought to fruition by a team of Indian scholars, aims to present an authoritative national history free from colonial bias. This review evaluates its sixth volume, “The Gupta‑Vakataka Age,” edited by A. S. Altekar and R. C. Majumdar. The reviewer first outlines the genesis of the series and the composition of the general board of editors, noting the premature death of co‑editor K. N. Dikshit and the contributions of scholars like K. A. Nilakanta Sastri and Mohammad Habib. Only two of the projected twenty volumes had appeared by 1946, and this instalment, covering c. 200–500 C.E., was eagerly awaited. It comprises nineteen chapters: eight by Dr. Majumdar on political history, ten by Dr. Altekar on administration, coinage, colonisation, social and economic conditions and education, and one by D. C. Sircar on archaeology and epigraphy. The review praises the breadth of topics and the systematic use of literary and epigraphic sources but notes that the contributors occasionally disagree. Questions about the extent of Samudra‑Gupta’s empire, the identification of certain kings in pillar inscriptions, and the dating of Toramana and Mihirakula elicit divergent views. The reviewer commends the inclusion of extensive bibliographies and maps, although he regrets the absence of more detailed illustrative material. He suggests that the title “Gupta‑Vakataka Age” overemphasises the relatively minor Vakataka dynasty and that “Gupta Age” might have sufficed. Despite these quibbles, the review recognises the volume as a significant achievement that supersedes earlier works by R. D. Banerji and R. N. Dandekar. It concludes by urging readers to appreciate the editors’ candour in admitting uncertainty and by expressing the hope that later volumes will maintain similar scholarly standards while addressing the cultural history of the period more fully.
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Conclusion
The reviewer regards “The Gupta‑Vakataka Age” as a landmark synthesis that consolidates decades of research on one of India’s classical epochs. He applauds the editors for coordinating multiple specialists and for presenting balanced discussions of contested issues. While acknowledging imperfections and editorial disagreements, he stresses that such transparency is preferable to dogmatic certainty. The review thus invites readers to treat the volume as both a reference work and a stimulus for further inquiry, underscoring the importance of collaborative scholarship in rewriting India’s past.