Traditional Indian Economy (A Reconstruction Based on Sanskrit Epigraphs)

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The study of the economy of ancient India through Sanskrit inscriptions is a herculean task. Till date, several works are available on research done on arts, religious philosophy, history and language through inscriptions but very little has been attempted in the field of economic studies based on Sanskrit epigraphs. Dr Kamal Kishor Mishra is the first person to traverse this unchartered terrain.

This work details fourteen tables, bibliography, table of terminologies, list of inscriptions and plates of 22 inscriptions which throw valuable light on the practices of ancient India. For example, from the copper plate inscription from Sahgaura, there is evidence of storage of grain in silos for meeting the needs in crucial times of scarcity and is an effort in risk management. The Mandsaur inscription throws light on the relative affluence and well being of the people of the area who contributed towards construction of temples and wells. The Girnar stone inscription of Rudradaman speaks of the construction of a large pond or lake to take care of water scarcity. Inscriptions also seem to throw light on a well balanced decentralization of powers that contributed to governance of the state. Self sufficiency at village level and at various other levels also seems to emerge from a study of the inscriptions and there is a definite indication towards economic prosperity of the sub-continent in 8th century AD.

Kamal Kishor Mishra is a scholar of Sanskrit, Oriental Epigraphy. Manuscriptology and Art. He is an awardee of the Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarship for PhD at University of Delhi, Junior Research Fellowship, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA). and Post Doctoral Fellowship, Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR) for post doctoral research at Jawaharlal Nehru University. His work Includes "Indianness of Cambodian Sanskrit and his post doctoral research: on "Self in Indian Narrative Tradition: Socio-Psycho analysis with Special Reference to Mahabharata. He is the author of Prachin Bharatiya Arthavyavastha (Bharatiya Jnanpith, 2004, 2006), Descriptive Catalogue of Sankrit Manucripts, Vol-IV (Shree Ranbir Sanskrit Research Institute, Jammu, 2005). Nataraja: Brahmand ka Divya Nartan (Shubhi, 2007). Reconstructing the Traditions of Ancient Indian Economy: A Study Based on Sanskrit Epigraphs (2008). As joint Director, Shree Ranbir Sanskrit Research Institute, Jammu he has done significant research on "Cosmopolitanism in Religion, with special reference to Raghunath Temple, Jammu, based on inscriptions, Sanskrit manuscripts and Persian records. He is currently co-editing with Syed Tanveer Nasreen, ten volumes of ancient Sanskrit Manuscripts related to Ayurveda and Dharma Shastras. He is a known figure at national and international seminars, relating to his specialized area and study. At present he is a Faculty of Sanskrit at University of Calcutta, Kolkata.

Shovana Narayan is a household name as the most celebrated and outstanding Kathak Maestro, choreographer and performer who has blazed a trail in the field imbuing it with depth, maturity and ennoblement. Extremely versatile she not only holds two M Phil degrees, one in National Security and Management and second in Public Administration but she is also a Masters in Physics. She is the first person to balance two parallel professional careers, one as a very senior civil servant (IAS 1976 batch) and as a Nationally awarded classical dancer of the country (President of India's award of Padmashri in 1992 and Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1999-2000 among a host of other awards). The explorer and researcher within her have seen her author ten volumes on Indian dance and culture, which bespeak of intensity, depth and gravity.

The study of the economy of ancient India through Sanskrit inscriptions is a Herculean task. Ancient Sanskrit inscriptions provide a glimpse into the policies of the ruler unlike contemporary studies that may or may not be directly related to the policies of any one government. Till date, several works are available on research done on arts, religious philosophy, history and language through inscriptions but very little has been attempted in the field of economic studies based on Sanskrit epigraphs. Dr Kamal Kishor Mishra is the first person to traverse this unchartered terrain.

Sanskrit texts are undoubtedly the undisputed storehouse of knowledge in respect of Indian culture, civilization and learning. It occupies a place of pride as a language of learning even though it is not considered to be a living language. Ancient Indian inscriptions seem to break this myth for it mirrors the usage of Sanskrit in mundane affairs, which become importane source of knowledge. The present research on the economic system of ancient India bases itself on this important stream of source material of inscriptions.