The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c9.13

c9.13

M. Stanislas Julien's great work, which included a French version of both the *Life* and *Travels* of Hiuen Tsang (3 vols., Paris, 1853–8), has never been superseded; but it is now very scarce and difficult to obtain. Beal's English version of the *Travels* appeared in 1885 in the volumes already cited; and was followed in 1888 by a translation of the *Life*. The notes were supplied to a large extent by Burgess. The student of Indian history finds himself compelled sometimes to consult both the French and English versions. The commentary in both is now out of date; but the deficiencies have been supplied in considerable measure by a work compiled by Watters, entitled *On Yuan Chwang's Travels in India* (R. As. Soc., 1904–5, 2 vols.). An adequate annotated translation of the *Life* and *Travels* of Hiuen Tsang would require the co-operation of a syndicate of scholars. The first draft of his book, the *Ta T'ang-Hsi-yü-chi*, 'Records of Western Lands of the Great T'ang Period', was presented to the Emperor in 646, but the book, as we have it now, was not completed until 648. It was apparently copied and circulated in MS. in its early form during the author's life, and for some time after. There are several editions, which present considerable variations in both the text and the supplementary notes and explanations. The 'Han-shan' recension, which seems to be the only one hitherto known to Western scholars, is substantially a modern Soochow reprint of an edition of the Ming period. Three other editions were consulted by Watters, who has noted the more important variant readings (*On Yuan Chwang*, ch. 1). The pilgrim's route can be traced by the help of the Itinerary and maps added by the author of this history to the second volume of Watters's book.