Reviews
By Sushil Kumar De, Nalinaksha Dutt, U. N. Ghoshal, Dhirendra Chandra Ganguly, D. Bhattacharya, Niharranjan Roy, Surendra Nath Sen, R. N . Seal, Basanta Ranjan Roy
Summary
The reviewed works include Pind Ranjan Ray's *In Burma* (1932), which examines cultural exchanges between India and Burma through Brahmanical artifacts (7th–14th century CE), such as temple sculptures and inscriptions. Ray argues that Brahmanical rituals persisted in Burma despite Buddhist dominance, influenced by Indian artists or Burmese trained by them. The Nat-hlaung temple, built by South Indian Brahmins, reflects Eastern School and Bengal-Bihar art influences. While artistic analyses are noted, some conclusions remain tentative due to limited details. The review praises the work as a significant contribution to understanding early India-Burma relations. The *Mahabharata* critiques focus on the Poona (1931–32) and Madras (1931–32) editions. The Poona edition, led by V.S. Sukthankar, presents 650 folios of critically edited text, navigating manuscript variations and textual fluidity. Challenges include distinguishing genuine passages from interpolations, relying on intrinsic probability alongside documentary evidence. The Madras edition, focused on the Southern recension, avoids reconstructing an original text, instead prioritizing critical editing of existing material. Both editions highlight the epic’s complex textual history, with extensive critical apparatus noting variants. The reviews acknowledge the editorial rigor and the inherent difficulties in reconciling conflated manuscripts.
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Conclusion
This document highlights the understudied cultural interplay between India and Burma, emphasizing the persistence of Brahmanical elements in a Buddhist-dominated society. The author meticulously documents Brahmanical artifacts and rituals, tracing artistic influences from Indian schools, thereby challenging the overshadowed historical narrative of Indo-Burman cultural dynamics. By analyzing sculptures and inscriptions, the study reveals how Brahmanical practices, though not fully assimilated, persisted through medieval times, offering a counterpoint to the dominant Buddhist narrative. The work’s detailed artistic analysis and interdisciplinary approach underscore the complexity of early cultural exchanges, positioning it as a foundational contribution to understanding India’s broader cultural footprint in Southeast Asia.