The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c24.4

v1.c24.4

With this ideal scheme none of the existing Purāṇas is in complete agreement. All differ from it in various degrees by defect or by excess; but, in spite of this, they profess generally to conform with the old definition, and are thus made to give a description of themselves which is no longer in accordance with the facts. It is evident, then, at the outset that their original form has been modified. Only seven out of the eighteen still retain the fifth section, which should contain an account of kings who have reigned during the historical period. For the purposes of political history all the rest are therefore without value.