The present study by Sister Nivedita, based on her deep study, research and travels is a valuable piece of India’s rich ancient history and culture which she has compared with the ancient civilizations of the West. Her writings with appreciation of India’ glorious past proved to be very helpful to the enlightened people in foreign countries, when the Indian people were fighting for independence. She has mainly focused on the important Buddhist Shrines and places of religious importance. She has also specially praised the grandeur of the cities of Buddhism–where the religion of Buddha flourished including the city of Rajgir as an ancient Babylon. Rajgir was the place where Bimbisara was the King of Magadha in the days of great renunciation and Ajatasutra was king at the death of Buddha. Sister Nivedita also praises the architectural beauty of Ajanta caves, travels of Chinese Pilgrims specially Fa-Hian, relation between Buddhism and Hinduism; The Elephanta caves; rise of Vaishnavism under the Guptas and the study of Benares, the centre of learning and religion since ancient days. This publication is of great reference value on India’s heritage, ancient history and culture, learning and scholarship as well as pretty long religious tradition.
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