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 inscripiton 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 ot take care of water scarcity. Inscriptions also seem to throw light on a well balanced decentralization of powers that contributed to governance to 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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kamal Kishore Mishra
Kamal Kishore Mishra, son of Shri N.K. Mishra and Smt. Prabha Mishra, graduated with distinction in Sanskrit from Ranchi University in 1990. He took MA in Sanskrit, Mphil in Sanskrit Epigraphy, and Doctorate in Sanskrit (as a Nehru Scholar) from University of Delhi. He was ICSSR Fellow at the Centre for Sanskrit Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is specialized in Epigraphy and Manuscriptology. He is currently Joint Director, Shri Ranbir Sanskrit Research Institute, Jammu, India. Dr. Mishra has participated and presented papers in national and international seminars, and has several publications to his credit. Some of his books are Prachin Bharatiya Arthavyavastha (Bharatiya Gyanpith, New Delhi, 2004, 2nd edn 2006), Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts, Vol. IV (compiled and edited jointly with Dr. D.R. Shastri, Shri Ranbir Sanskrit Research Institute, Jammu, 2004), Kathak: The World of Shovana Narayan (Kanishka, New Delhi, 2005), and Nataraj: Brahmand Ka Divya Nartan (Shubhi, Gurgaon, 2007.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shovana Narayan
Shovana Narayan is one of the outstanding classical dancers of India. For her incomparable contribution to the Kathak style of classical dance, she has been decorated with several awards, including Government of India's coveted Padmashri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awards. She has bestowed Kathak with dignity and enriched it with a deeper and wider canvas of expression and dimensions. She is at once, an explorer, a performer, a choreographer and an artiste par excellence, with values and a cause. The explorer and researcher within her have seen her author six books on Indian dance, which bespeak of intensity, depth and gravity. She has also worked closely with nationally and internationally acclaimed Indian and western dancers and musicians from various streams of art. Shovana's palette contains other media, including films and operas as well as being a dedicated guru whose disciples are creating their niche in the world of Kathak that once again bears testimony to the intensive training being imparted by her. She is also a senior serving civil servant belonging to the Indian Audits and Accounts Service (1976 batch). Married to Dr. Herbert Traxl, Austrian Ambassador, the two have a son, Erwin Ishan Traxl. Her younger sister, Ranjana Narayan, is a lawyer and a classical singer. Other books by the author: ˜Kathak: Rhythmics Echoes and Reflectioin- (Roly Publication); ˜Dance Legacy of Patliputra' (Publications Division, govt. of India); ˜Indian Theatre and Dance Traditions" (Harman Publications); ˜Performing Arts: A Policy Perspective" (Kanishka Publications); "Kathak" "A Handbook (Wisdom Tree Publication); "Indian Classical Dance" "A Handbook (Sterling Publication).
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