I owe an apology to the world of letter's for withholding for such a long time the publication of this work, which embodies the studies carried on by me as a D. Litt. scholar in the Hindi Department of the University of Allahabad during 1944-52. Nevertheless, since 1952, when it was presented as a thesis, it has been continuously consulted and referred to by quite a large number of researchers, critics and scholars It has also been discussed and cited in some of the important encyclopedias including the Hindi Sahitya Kosa and the Hindi Velrakosa.
The scope, the scheme, and the contribution of the present work have been fully discussed in the Introduction. Scholars have now begun to realise that in evaluating the vast and rich Nayaka Nayika-Bheda literature full justice has not been done to it. The prejudices against it are deep-rooted, and it may take a few more decades to get rid of them in their entirety I, on my part, have expressed my views with courage and confidence, based as they are on facts and logic. Without allowing myself to be overawed with tradition, howsoever strong it may be, I have dared to differ with the greatest critics, even though I look upon them with great reverence. I am now prepared to face my critics with grace I shall have little hesitation in revising the views and the opinions expressed by me, provided I find substance in the criticism offered against them.
I feel pleasure in acknowledging the debt of gratitude I owe to the late Professor Amaranatha Jha who directed me to work on this topic, to my learned preceptor and Adviser Dr. Ramasankara Sukla Rasala', whose advice and guidance had always been available to me; to Dr Ramaprasada Tripathi and the late Pandita Sukadevabihari Misra for a number of useful hints and the encouragement that I received from them, to my professor Dr. Dhirendra Varma, who provided me with all the facilities that I needed, to Dr. Hazariprasada Dvivedi, with whom I had the privilege to discuss any problem, as and when it arose, to Pandita Visvanathaprasada Misra, Dr. Srikrsnalala, Srimati Vidya Gupta and a few others for their occasional help or suggestions, to Professor Krsnasvarupa Mathura and Professor Balacanda Srivastava for the sincere pains they took in going through the manuscript before it was sent to the press. I remember with reverence and gratitude the great scholars, whose works have been consulted by me. While criticizing their views I have never meant any disrespect to them. I am also obliged to the staff of the Allahabad University Library, as well as to that of other important libraries at Allahabad and Varanasi, for the courtesy and help extended to me. Sri Devi Prasada Maini, Job Superintendent. Leader Press, and his staff deserve my thanks for their hearty cooperation in the printing of this work Last but not least, I should like to express my profound indebtedness to my Alma Mater, the University of Allahabad, for the light of knowledge imparted to me during my eight years' sojourn thereat.