The book presents the systematic examination of the early Greek knowledge of India till the advent of Alexander the Great. The Greek data on geographical horizon, flora and fauna, northwest Indian urbanism, trade and commerce, king and his subjects, customs and manners, India and the Persian empire, science and religion, fabulous reports and the idealisation of the Indians have been carefully analysed here in the light of the Indian literary sources and the recent archaeological material. The changing and static views, confusions, contradictions, predilections and interpretations of the Greeks have been critically assessed. The extant texts on Indian affairs from the writings of Skylax, Hekataios, Herodotos, Ktesias, Xenophon, Hippokrates, Hellanikos, Aristoteles, Ephoros and others have also been produced in English translation. Besides these, the book consists of maps, and three appendices viz., ancient Indian northwest; India vis-a-vis Ethiopia-Egypt in classical accounts; and Greek attitude towards the Indians.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Udai Prakash Arora
Educated at the University of Allahabad, Athens and Thessaloniki, Prof. Udai Prakash Arora (b. 1944) started his career as a Lecturer, Department of Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology, University of Allahabad in the year 1965. Since 1985, he has been working as a Professor and Head, Department of Ancient History and Culture, Rohilkhand University, Bareilly. Here he also acted as Pro-Vice Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the University and presently is Dean Faculty of Arts. Recognised as the author of Motifs in Indian Mythology: Their Greek and other Parallels (Delhi, 1981), the editor of the monograph Graeco-Indica India’s Cultural Contacts with the Greek World (Delhi, 1991), and Yavanika – Journal of Indian Society for Greek and Roman Studies, Prof. Arora has to his credit one dozen authored and edited books and 60 papers published in different Indian and foreign journals and proceedings. Prof. Arora has many honours and awards to his credit. As a member of cultural delegation, visiting professor, state guest and as a participant in different international conferences, seminars and symposia Prof. Arora has visited 26 countries including U.S.A., Canada, U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Japan, Greece, Cyprus etc. His special interest in Ancient Greek language and culture led him to visit Greece several times to work on various projects under Cultural Exchange Programme, (1968-1969). National Scholarship Scheme post doctoral (1978-81, 82), Foundation of Hellenic Culture Scholar (1993), and as Onasis Foundation Scholar (1996). Five students under his supervision have completed research on aspects connected with the interaction between Indian and Hellenic culture. He is at present the Corresponding Member of Foundation of the Hellenic Culture (Greece); President of U.P. History Congress; General Secretary of Indian Society for Greek and Roman Studies; Member, Executive Committee of Indian Archaeological Society; Vice-President of a cultural trust Samkalpa, Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland and Founder Fellow of Indian Academy of Social Sciences.
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