This monograph deals with a very important phase of Indian history, spanning c. 700 and c. 350 BC. During the period iron technology diffused, transforming and multiplying tools; cities arose and commerce spread; the caste system assumed practically all its essential features; powerful states were formed, with armies and bureaucracies; and finally, Jainism and Buddhism brought about a veritable Religious Revolution. All this is described in four chapters with clarity and precision, but with no attempt to conceal points of controversy. Special notes are furnished on punch-marked coinage, the Northern Black Polished Ware, problems of chronology, and the arrival of writing. Nine extracts from source give the reader a taste of the textual sources. There are twelve illustrations and seven maps, and a chronological table at the end. Each chapter is provided with a bibliographical note, indicating sources and suggesting further reading.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Krishna Mohan Shrimali
Krishna Mohan Shrimali has had a brilliant academic career althrough. He secured the first position in all the examinations of the Delhi Board and the University of Delhi. In 1973 he Was awarded the Commonwealth Academic Staff Scholarship, which enabled him to join the School of Oriental and African Studies. There he completed his History of Pancala. to c. A.D. 550, for which he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by the University of London in 1976. This -was published in 1983. and the present work is further extension of that study. He has also contributed a number of research articles to various journals and translated important historical works into Hindi. After serving as the Treasurer of the Indian History Congress for three years (1980-83), he is currently Joint-Secretary and Incharge of the Permanent Office of the Congress. He started -his teaching career in his alma mater St. Stephen's College in 1968 and is now-Reader in Ancient Indian History in the University of Delhi since 1981.
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