Students of the early history of the Deccan, specially its early phase, are faced with numerous baffling problems. Some of these problems concern the satavahanas, the first autochthonous imperial power. There is thus controversy even regarding the initial period of their rule and the region under them towards the end. A few other issues concerning individual members of the dynasty are also controversial. Their successors in a part of their vast empire were the Vakatakas for whom the only source of our information are their numerous inscriptions. A number of epigraphs of a few of these still remain unnoticed. The historical evidence efforded by some Yadava inscriptions from Ambe Jogai, though known for long, remained to be examined in proper perspective. The contributions of Andhra Pradesh to the development of Buddhism, thought known widely, also requires a consolidated evaluation. The genealogy and chronology of the Vishnukundins, one of the most powerful ruling families of Andhra and other adjoining areas, were so far in doldrums, the case was much worse with the Madhas. Some aspects of the history of south Kosala and Orissa concerning the Sarabhapuriyas Pandavas and Somavamsins, particularly their chronology, fared no better. These and a few other allied issues are attacked in the present volume which brings together updated versions of some of the author’s writings on the history of Deccan spanning a period of over two decades. A deep study of the numismatic, archaeological and epigraphic evidence aided by a sound knowledge of Sanskrit and proper utilization of Sanskritic-Prakritic source forms the basis of these writings which would. Hopefully, be found valuable and thought-stirring by serious students of the subject.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ajay Mitra Shastri
Prof. Ajay Mitra Shastri (b. 1934), a reputed historian, epigraphist, numismatist and indologist, has retired recently as Professor of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology from Nagpur University. A former Editor of the Journal of the Numismatic Society of India, he is currently Editor of the Numismatic Digest. Formerly Chairman of the Indian Coin Society, he is now Vice-Chairman of the Epigraphical Society of India, Convener of the Inscriptions of India, Programme of the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi, and Chairman of the Advisory Board (Ancient Period) and as such a member of the National Commission for History of Science, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi. Professor Shastri has been Sectional President of the Indian History Congress (1978), Andhra Pradesh History Congress (1980), Maharashtra Itihas Parishad (1986) and the All-India Oriental Conference (1994) and General President of the Numismatic Society of India (1981), Epigraphical Society of India (1987), Third International Colloquium of 'Coinage, Trade and Economy at the Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies, Nasik, Tamil Nadu Numismatic Society, Indian History and Culture Society (1991), the Vidvat Parishad of the Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Samiti (1994), South Indian Numismatic Society (1997), Member of the History panel of the University Grants Commission (1980-82), UGC National Lecturer (1985) and UGC National Fellow (1987-89) and is currently UGC Emeritus Fellow. He has been felicitated by the Numismatic Society of India with its Akbar Silver Medal (1984) and Altekar Gold Medal (1995); presented with a plaque of honour by the Coin Study Circle, Calcutta (1989), a copper-plate by the Epigraphical Society of India (1992), James Campbell Memorial Gold Medal by the Asiatic Society of Bombey (1996), Jijamata Vidvat Puraskar of the Chhatrapati Pratishthan, Nagpur (1997) and honoured with a couple of festschrifts: one published from Indore (1988) and the other in two tomes from Delhi (1989). He has also delivered numerous prestigious endowment lectures.
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