Select Contents of Oriental Journals
Summary
The *Select Contents of Oriental Journals* (1926) features scholarly articles on ancient Indian history, archaeology, and cultural studies. In the *Indian Antiquary*, V. Bakhle challenges the identification of Nahapana’s capital as Dasapura (modern Mandasor), arguing instead for Junner as the site, aligning with Sir R. G. Bhandarkar’s theory linking it to the *Periplus* and Ptolemy’s *Omenogara*. Sylvain Levi examines the identity of the ancient city referred to as Pihunda, Pithuda, and Pitundra in the *Uttaradhyayana Sutra*, Kharavela’s inscription, and Ptolemy’s *Geography*, contesting Jayaswal’s interpretations. The *Journal of the Bihar and Orissa Research Society* includes Sten Konow’s analysis of the Bodh-Gaya plaque inscription and Manomohan Ganguli’s exploration of Vedic-period Indian architecture through textual sources. A. Banerji and Sastri discuss the expansion of Asura settlements and their Aryanization, tracing their movement and cultural assimilation via Vedic and Brahmana texts. In the *Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society*, Winternitz translates and analyzes the serpent sacrifice narrative in the *Mahabharata*, rejecting the view of Jacobi and others that it reflects a historical event, instead attributing it to Indo-Germanic myth or psychological motives. The *Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society* features H. Moreland’s study of Sher Shah’s revenue system and Padma Nath Bhattacharya’s note on the term *Bhimicchidranya*, which denotes uncult
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Conclusion
This collection of Oriental Journal excerpts presents critical scholarly debates and contributions to understanding ancient Indian history, geography, and culture. Key implications include the re-evaluation of Nahapana's capital, with Bakhle challenging prevailing views by identifying Junner as the site, and Levi's analysis of Pihunda/Pithuda, contesting earlier interpretations. Konow's examination of the Bodh-Gaya plaque inscription offers fresh insights, while Ganguli's exploration of Vedic architecture synthesizes literary evidence. Banerji-Sastri's study of Asura expansion traces cultural assimilation through ancient texts, and Winternitz's analysis of the serpent sacrifice myth in the Mahabharata questions historical interpretations, suggesting deeper mythological roots. Moreland's and Bhattacarya's contributions address Sher Shah's revenue systems and land assessment practices, respectively. Collectively, these studies highlight the dynamic interplay of textual, archaeological, and geographical evidence in reconstructing India's past, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to resolve historical ambiguities and advance scholarly discourse.