Review – Hindu Colonies in the Far East
Summary
This notice reviews R. C. Majumdar’s handbook Hindu Colonies in the Far East, published in 1944. The book offers a concise political and cultural history of ancient Hindu colonies spread across the Malay Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Bali, Champa, Kambuja, Burma and Siam. It is primarily intended for undergraduate students at the University of Calcutta who study Hindu colonisation, but the reviewer remarks that general readers interested in the subject will also find it accessible. Majumdar summarises the results of his broader research, distilling his conclusions into a lucid narrative. The book therefore functions both as an introduction to Indian influence in Southeast Asia and as a companion to his more detailed scholarly works.
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Conclusion
The reviewer concludes that Hindu Colonies in the Far East is a valuable primer on Indian cultural and political expansion into Southeast Asia. Its clear presentation makes it suitable for students, while its concise summary of Majumdar’s findings will interest researchers seeking an overview. The notice encourages readers to consult this handbook alongside Majumdar’s larger volumes on Champa, Suvarṇadvīpa and Kambuja.