History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c11.4

v1.c11.4

¹ These inscriptions have been published in various forms and at various times by Sanskrit scholars, such as Burnouf, Kern, Senart, Bühler, etc. Among these reference may be made to É. Senart, ‘Les Inscriptions de Piyadasi’ (2 vols.) Paris, 1881-1886; Bühler, in ‘Epigraphia Indica,’ vols. i. and ii.; and ‘Archæological Survey of Southern India,’ vol. i. Among other things, they explain to us negatively why we have so little history in India in these days. Asoka is only busied about doctrines. He does not even mention his father’s name; and makes no allusion to any historical event, not even those connected with the life of the founder of the religion. Among a people so careless of genealogy, history is impossible.