Indian Epigraphy c6.s3.1

c6.s3.1

Fleet observed, “It is indeed very questionable whether the ancient Hindus ever possessed the true historical sense in the shape of the faculty of putting together genuine history on broad and critical lines.”² A study of such epigraphs as the Hathigumpha inscription³ (first century B. C.) of Khāravela, Junagadh rock inscription⁴ (150 A. D.) of Rudradāman, Aihole inscription⁵ (634 A. D.) of Pulakeśin II and official records of such royal families as the Coḷas, Eastern Cālukyas and Imperial Eastern Gaṅgas side by side with chronicles like Kalhaṇa’s *Rājatarangiṇī* (c. 1150 A.D.) and works like Bāṇa’s *Harṣacarita* (first quarter of the 7th century) and Bilhaṇa’s *Vikramāṅkadevacharita* (close of the 11th century) would suggest that the observation can only be regarded as partially justifiable.