Select Contents of Oriental Journals
Summary
The article argues Kautalya's Arthashastra was compiled between 480-510 AD, not during Chandragupta Maurya's reign, citing references to seaports, maritime activities, and geographical details of a Western Indian political unit including Konkan, Kachcha, and Sindh with Ujjain as its capital. It also notes the text's references to laws against offenses against the Hinas, suggesting a dependent political position consistent with Malwa's status during the late 6th century. A parallel between the Avimaraka story and versions in Buddhist texts like the Kunilajitaka, Kathisarmitsigara, and Jayamangala commentary is identified. Jayaswal re-examines Saka and Satavahana chronology, proposing new dates for rulers, dynasties, and events, including the identification of Nandghat statues and the correlation of Vikramaditya with Gupidhya and Somadeva. A linguistic analysis explores Dravidian and Austric word exchanges, particularly for "peacock" and "bat," supporting pre-Aryan cultural interactions. Old Muslim inscriptions (916-1276 AD) from Patna are classified into four periods, detailing royal grants, weak rulers, mosque/tomb inscriptions, and commoner-built mosques. Tripathi identifies geographical names in copper plates, revising readings of the Jayapura Copperplate and analyzing the Bhaija family's history. A review refutes Coomaraswamy's claim that Kangra artists never painted ragas, discussing the "Kangra School" nomenclature. A copper-plate grant records a village gift by Bisat
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Conclusion
This document presents compelling evidence repositioning Kautalya's Arthashastra as a Western Indian text, likely compiled between 480-510 AD during the Malwa empire's peak. Key maritime references and land management details suggest a coastal political unit encompassing Konkan, Kachchh, and Sindh, challenging traditional Chandragupta Maurya associations. The analysis of Hina-related legal provisions further situates the work within a period of Malwa's dependence on the Gupta Empire, offering new chronological frameworks for ancient Indian political geography. The study significantly contributes to understanding regional power dynamics and administrative systems in early medieval Western India.