Review: Buddha Purva Ka Bharatiya Itihasa (Part I)
Summary
The review covers “Buddha Pūrva Kā Bhārattīya Itihāsa,” Part I, a Hindi work by Rao Raja Dr. Shyam Bihari Misra and Rai Bahadur Pandit Sukadeva Bihari Misra. Writing under the joint pseudonym Mīśra Bandhu, the authors attempt to reconstruct India’s history before the rise of Buddhism by synthesising purāṇic, epic and other traditional sources. The book offers dynastic lists, attempts to establish chronological sequences and discusses the cultural and religious milieu of early India. The reviewer applauds the authors’ systematic use of the Purāṇas and their accessible Hindi style, noting that the work makes a vast body of material available to a general readership. While recognising that the reconstruction occasionally relies on conjecture and accepts some synchronisms without sufficient criticism, the reviewer appreciates the pioneering effort to present a coherent narrative of pre‑Buddhist India in Hindi. The book is viewed as a significant contribution that will stimulate further research using indigenous sources.
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Conclusion
The reviewer concludes that “Buddha Pūrva Kā Bhārattīya Itihāsa” is an ambitious and valuable attempt to chart India’s early history from traditional texts. Despite speculative elements and occasional uncritical acceptance of sources, the work provides a rich compilation of information and opens new avenues for scholars and enthusiasts. Its clear language and comprehensive approach make it accessible, and it will likely encourage more critical studies of the pre‑Buddhist period using vernacular sources.