Ancient History of the Deccan c2.2

c2.2

We have limited our subject in extent; let us now proceed to fix a time-limit for it. “Ancient History of the Deccan” means for us “the history of the Deccan in ancient times” and the words "ancient times" denotes the 9 centuries extending from 261 B. C, to about 610 A. D, that is to say, from Aśôka to Pulakêśin II. In fact, we have no historical document anterior to Aśôka; and so we shall begin our history from the time of this king, about 261 B. C, (the Kalinga war). On the other hand, from the time of Pulakêśin II, about 610 A. D, we have a large number of historical documents and the history of the Deccan is mostly known. It is therefore this historic period between 261 B. C, and 610 A. D, that is denoted by the words, "Deccan in Ancient times" and that we are going to study in this work.