Buddhist India

Contents: 1. The kings. 2. The clans and nations. 3. The village. 4. Social grades. 5. In the town. 6. Economic conditions. 7. Writing--the beginnings. 8. Writing--its development. 9. Language and literature: I. General view. 10. Literature: II. The Pali books. 11. The Jataka book. 12. Religion--Animism. 13. Religion--the Brahmin position. 14. Chandragupta. 15. Asoka. 16. Kanishka. Appendix. Index.

"Buddhist India portrays ancient India, during the period of Buddhist ascendency, from the non-Brahmin point of view. This study is based on the literary, numismatic and inscriptional records, and throws light on points hitherto dark and even unsuspected.

"This work is divided into sixteen chapters and presents a detailed account of the socio-economic, geo-political and ethico-religious conditions of the country. It describes at length the history of the kings, clans, nations vis-a-vis their role in the growth and spread of Buddhism. We get a clear perspective of the activities of Candragupta, Asoka and Kaniska--the principal characters in this performance. The Buddhist and kindred literature both in Pali and Sanskrit, with special reference to the Jatakas has been thoroughly exploited for this purpose." (jacket)