Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India c6.5.1

c6.5.1

Some of the theories of Pargiter have been criticised. If we believe that the Brāhmī alphabet evolved out of the prehistoric Indus valley script, we should only speak of the growth of the popularity of writing and not of the introduction of writing about the 7th century B. C. The Andhras (Sātavāhanas) of the Deccan had nothing to do with the north-western region of India where the Kharoṣṭhī script was prevalent; it is, therefore, difficult to believe that the historical accounts of this royal family were originally composed in northern (north-western?) India and written in Kharoṣṭhī. The definite epochs suggested by Pargiter for the composition, revision or transmission of the particular texts are again no better than tentative. But from a study of the sections on cosmography and geography which are common to several of the Purāṇas, it appears that Pargiter is probably right as regards the chronological sequence of at least some of the Purāṇas with which he deals. As to the suggestion that the original of the historical sections of the Purāṇas was composed in Prakrit, we know that the theory has been contested by Keith,¹ though Winternitz² seems to be inclined to agree with Pargiter. It is interesting to note that the geographical sections exhibits Prakrit influence in such forms of names as भारुकच्छ, वेदभ, ऋष्यवन्त, शक्तिमन्ती, etc.