A Dictionary of Indian History (An Old and Rare Book)

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"This is an astonishing achievement, indeed the statement of the author that it is the fruit of half a century of study is borne out on every page. In all, there are some 3,000 entries, each of which contains at least the greater part of what those who turn it up will want to know, and the book covers the entire range of Indian history, from ancient to modern times. India has now indeed found her lexicographer."

Indian history has not reached the very high level of maturity of European studies but it has been on the whole factually built up. The idea of compiling a dictionary of Indian history therefore very naturally occurred to Mr. Sachchidananda Bhattacharya. He was told by many that the task was much too arduous for any single scholar and that it was a very bold attempt to tackle Indian history down the ages, unaided by others. Money was another hurdle. But Mr. Bhattacharya would not give up his cherished plan and began to work steadily. In the course of a conservation with me he referred to the financial difficulty of publishing this projected dictionary of Indian history. I could see from what he had done how useful this dictionary would be, if it could be completed. The University of Calcutta and the University Grants Commission were approached. They expressed readiness to sponsor the scheme and share the expense of publication. Mr. Bhattacharya's work gathered momentum. His dictionary comprises 2785 entries concerning persons, places, institutions, literary and historical works covering ancient, medieval and modern periods of Indian history. Mr. Bhattacharya's age has exceeded the limit of three score and ten. When we think of the strenuous labour which this venture involved we feel that a sense of achievement-something attempted, something done everyday-sustained his strength. Traditional historical scholarship- wide reading, wide learning and a sound dose of common sense-was his equipment for his task. The factual content is adequate and helpful.

The present work is the result of the life-long labour of a distinguished Professor of History in our country to assist students as well as general readers in acquiring an exact knowledge about the main personalities and places connected with the history of India during its dated period, te from about the middle of the first millennium Bc. down to modern times. Professor Sachchidananda Bhattacharya has to my mind very well succeeded in achieving his objective Without being detailed and dry-as- Just he has noted down alphabetically the broad facts in the careers of the most important persons who have a place in Indian history, and also he has treated all important places as well as peoples and institutions which are almost equally important.

Such a book has been a desideratum, and to my knowledge I cannot think of any suitable book which will meet with the requirements of people interested in Indian history both from the point of view of serious study and the usually cultured man's curiosity. Prof. Bhattacharya has done well in placing his material in an alphabetical order and in a way his book may be compared with that very useful handbook on Hindu Mythology which was long ago published in Truebner's Oriental Series by Dowson. We can rely upon a responsible scholar like Prof. Bhattacharya who has spent his whole life in weaning our young men and women in India to take to the study of the history of their country seriously to be exact and accurate according to the best of his knowledge and understanding of the essentials. He has carefully avoided entering into controversy in some disputed matters, but he has given references to various views whenever it was necessary to do so.

I have found his book quite fascinating reading, and though not a professed student of history I have been interested in the subject also in connection with my own studies in linguistics, which as a human scicence is closely linked up with human history. I am sure, to dip into this book will be to obtain information, and quite a lot of it too, which we never knew before, and we shall also find matters which we did not understand in their proper bearings.

**Contents and Sample Pages**