Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c10: Front matter
Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champā; Vol. II: Suvarṇadvīpa) v2.c10
- Language
- English
Front matter
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But the Church did not merely provide books; it also provided the means of their dissemination. The monastic scriptoria, where monks labored in silence to copy the sacred texts, were the precursors of the printing press. And when the press finally arrived, it was the Church that first harnessed its power, using it to spread the word of God to the corners of the earth. The Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe, was a testament to the Church's commitment to the written word.
v2.c10.2
Yet, even as the Church championed the spread of knowledge, it also sought to control it. The *Index Librorum Prohibitorum*, or List of Prohibited Books, was a tool used by the Church to suppress ideas it deemed dangerous or heretical. This tension between the desire to educate and the need to control would define the Church's relationship with literature for centuries to come.
v2.c10.3
It is a complex history, one that is marked by both enlightenment and suppression. But it is a history that cannot be ignored, for it is the history of the very foundation of Western civilization. The Church, in its role as the guardian of knowledge, has shaped the way we think, the way we write, and the way we understand the world around us.
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THE BOOK WAS DRENCHED
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the *Gesta Romanorum*, the *Legenda Aurea* of Jacobus de Voragine, and the *Speculum Historiale* of Vincent of Beauvais. These were the books that fed the imagination of the Middle Ages, and they were the books that the Church, in its wisdom, provided for the instruction and edification of the faithful.
v2.c10.6
But the Church did not merely provide books; it also provided the means of their dissemination. The monastic scriptoria, where monks labored in silence to copy the sacred texts, were the precursors of the printing press. And when the press finally arrived, it was the Church that first harnessed its power, using it to spread the word of God to the corners of the earth. The Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe, was a testament to the Church's commitment to the written word.
v2.c10.7
Yet, even as the Church championed the spread of knowledge, it also sought to control it. The *Index Librorum Prohibitorum*, or List of Prohibited Books, was a tool used by the Church to suppress ideas it deemed dangerous or heretical. This tension between the desire to educate and the need to control would define the Church's relationship with literature for centuries to come.
v2.c10.8
It is a complex history, one that is marked by both enlightenment and suppression. But it is a history that cannot be ignored, for it is the history of the very foundation of Western civilization. The Church, in its role as the guardian of knowledge, has shaped the way we think, the way we write, and the way we understand the world around us.
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the *Gesta Romanorum*, the *Legenda Aurea* of Jacobus de Voragine, and the *Speculum Historiale* of Vincent of Beauvais. These were the books that fed the imagination of the Middle Ages, and they were the books that the Church, in its wisdom, provided for the instruction and edification of the faithful.
v2.c10.10
But the Church did not merely provide books; it also provided the means of their dissemination. The monastic scriptoria, where monks labored in silence to copy the sacred texts, were the precursors of the printing press. And when the press finally arrived, it was the Church that first harnessed its power, using it to spread the word of God to the corners of the earth. The Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe, was a testament to the Church's commitment to the written word.
v2.c10.11
Yet, even as the Church championed the spread of knowledge, it also sought to control it. The *Index Librorum Prohibitorum*, or List of Prohibited Books, was a tool used by the Church to suppress ideas it deemed dangerous or heretical. This tension between the desire to educate and the need to control would define the Church's relationship with literature for centuries to come.
v2.c10.12
It is a complex history, one that is marked by both enlightenment and suppression. But it is a history that cannot be ignored, for it is the history of the very foundation of Western civilization. The Church, in its role as the guardian of knowledge, has shaped the way we think, the way we write, and the way we understand the world around us.
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IN THE FAR EAST VOL. II. SUVARNADVIPA PART I—Political History.
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BY Dr. R. C. Majumdar, M. A., Ph. D., Professor, Dacca University, Author of *Corporate Life in Ancient India*, *Outline of Ancient Indian History and Civilisation*, *Gurjara-Pratīhāras*, *Early History of Bengal*, *The Arab Invasion of India*, etc.
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DACCA
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Published by Asoke Kumar Majumdar, Ramna, Dacca.
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All Rights Reserved 1937
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To be had of the following book-sellers :
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1. Chuckervertty Chatterji & Co. 15, College Square, Calcutta.
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2. Book Company 4/4A, College Square, Calcutta.
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3. Punjab Sanskrit Book Depot. Saidmitha Street, Lahore.
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4. Greater India Society 21, Badur Bagan Row, Calcutta.
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5. Asutosh Library 5, College Square, Calcutta, or Patuatuly, Dacca (Bengal).
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PRINTER TRAILOKYA CHANDRA SUR ASUTOSH PRESS, DACCA
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To
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The Dutch Savants
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whose labours have unfolded
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a new and glorious chapter
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of the
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History of Ancient Culture and Civilisation
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of India
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this volume is dedicated
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in token of
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the respect, admiration, and gratitude
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of the author.
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the *Gesta Romanorum*, the *Legenda Aurea* of Jacobus de Voragine, and the *Speculum Historiale* of Vincent of Beauvais. These were the books that fed the imagination of the Middle Ages, and they were the books that the Church, in its wisdom, provided for the instruction and edification of the faithful.
v2.c10.37
But the Church did not merely provide books; it also provided the means of their dissemination. The monastic scriptoria, where monks labored in silence to copy the sacred texts, were the precursors of the printing press. And when the press finally arrived, it was the Church that first harnessed its power, using it to spread the word of God to the corners of the earth. The Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe, was a testament to the Church's commitment to the written word.
v2.c10.38
Yet, even as the Church championed the spread of knowledge, it also sought to control it. The *Index Librorum Prohibitorum*, or List of Prohibited Books, was a tool used by the Church to suppress ideas it deemed dangerous or heretical. This tension between the desire to educate and the need to control would define the Church's relationship with literature for centuries to come.
v2.c10.39
It is a complex history, one that is marked by both enlightenment and suppression. But it is a history that cannot be ignored, for it is the history of the very foundation of Western civilization. The Church, in its role as the guardian of knowledge, has shaped the way we think, the way we write, and the way we understand the world around us.
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The first volume of *Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East*, dealing with the colony of Champā, was published in 1927. Various causes have delayed the publication of the second volume. One of them is a change in the planning of the different volumes. Originally I had intended to deal with the history of Kāmboja (Cambodia) in the second volume. As the wonderful monuments of this kingdom were to constitute an important part of the volume, I paid a visit to Cambodia in order to obtain a first-hand knowledge of them. There, in my conversation with the Archæological authorities, I came to learn for the first time that many novel theories were being advanced regarding the age and chronological sequence of the monuments of Angkor Thom. I was advised to put off the publication of my book until these had been fully explored. Acting upon this advice I took up the history of Malayasia which was to have formed the third volume. My knowledge of Dutch being very poor at the time, I had to spend a long time in mastering the contents of relevant books and Journals which are mostly written in that language. Hence it has taken me nearly nine years to prepare and bring this volume before the public. The interval between the first and the second volume has further been prolonged by several urgent pre-occupations.
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It is needless to dilate on the difficulty of working on the subject in India, without any possible help or advice from any competent authority, and without any adequate library. It would be hardly an exaggeration to say that the small collection of books on the subject, which I have patiently acquired for Dacca University during the last seven years, is the best in India, but it is still very far from being adequate or satisfactory. The study of the Indian Colonisation in the Far East is still at its very infancy in this country. The Greater India Society and its Journal are notable recent
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enterprises, but the establishment of a Central Institute with facilities for the study of the subject is still a great desideratum. At the time when I took up the task of writing a series of studies on Indian Colonisation, the Society had not yet come into existence, and there was no book, big or small, on the subject in English language. As regards Java, the remark still holds good, save for a small pamphlet published by the Society, and a book on Indo-Javanese literature, published by one of my pupils after the first draft of this book was ready. I state these facts, not with the motive of claiming any special credit, but with a view to craving the indulgence of the readers for the many shortcomings which will be found in this pioneer work.
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When the book was completed, it proved too bulky for one volume, and hence I thought it advisable to divide it into two parts. The first part, now published, deals with the political history and the system of administration. The second part, now in press, deals with law, society, art, religion, literature, and the economic condition of Suvarṇadvīpa.
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I have experienced considerable difficulty in the spelling of proper names. As regards the Javanese names of persons and places, I have followed the Dutch spelling, substituting *j*, *ch*, and *u*, respectively, for *dj*, *tj*, and *oe*. I have also used *y* and *v* respectively for *j* and *w*, except where these occur at the beginning of a word. The modern Javanese personal names are spelt exactly as in Dutch. As regards the Chinese names, I have followed the English, French, and Dutch spellings, according to the source from which I derived my knowledge of them.
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Originally I intended to insert in this volume a complete collection of Javanese inscriptions on the lines followed in Volume I. But while this volume was in progress, my pupil Mr. Himansu Bhusan Sarkar, M. A., a research-scholar working under me, took up this work, and has now practically completed it. I hope his ‘Collection of Javanese Inscriptions’
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PREFACÉ.
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will shortly be published, and hence I do not think it necessary to add a third part dealing with the Javanese inscriptions.
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As at present planned, the Second Part of this volume, referred to above, will be published before the end of 1937. The Third Volume, dealing with Kāmboja (Cambodia and Siam), will be published in two separate parts, one containing the history, and the other the collection of inscriptions. I hope these will be out before the end of 1939. Volume IV, forming the sixth book of the series, and containing a general review of Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East, will, I hope, be published by 1941.
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The task of writing these volumes has been a painful and laborious one, particularly as I have to work, for the most part, in a remote Mofussil town, under heavy pressure of administrative and other duties. I can only crave the indulgence of my generous readers for the many errors which must necessarily have crept into this book. My sole excuse for the choice of this difficult undertaking is the general apathy and ignorance in this country about this important branch of study. If I succeed in removing them even to a small extent, I shall consider my labours amply rewarded.
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Ramna, Dacca. The 7th of December, 1936. } R. C. MAJUMDAR the *Gesta Romanorum*, the *Legenda Aurea* of Jacobus de Voragine, and the *Speculum Historiale* of Vincent of Beauvais. These were the books that fed the imagination of the Middle Ages, and they were the books that the Church, in its wisdom, provided for the instruction and edification of the faithful.
v2.c10.51
But the Church did not merely provide books; it also provided the means of their dissemination. The monastic scriptoria, where monks labored in silence to copy the sacred texts, were the precursors of the printing press. And when the press finally arrived, it was the Church that first harnessed its power, using it to spread the word of God to the corners of the earth. The Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe, was a testament to the Church's commitment to the written word.
v2.c10.52
Yet, even as the Church championed the spread of knowledge, it also sought to control it. The *Index Librorum Prohibitorum*, or List of Prohibited Books, was a tool used by the Church to suppress ideas it deemed dangerous or heretical. This tension between the desire to educate and the need to control would define the Church's relationship with literature for centuries to come.
v2.c10.53
It is a complex history, one that is marked by both enlightenment and suppression. But it is a history that cannot be ignored, for it is the history of the very foundation of Western civilization. The Church, in its role as the guardian of knowledge, has shaped the way we think, the way we write, and the way we understand the world around us.