The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, as Represented by the Sanskrit Epic c2.s1: Preface
The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, as Represented by the Sanskrit Epic c2.s1
- Language
- English
Preface
c2.s1.1
This essay, in its original form, was read before the Oriental Society in May, 1886. Further contributions to the subject, made as reported in the subsequent Proceedings of the Society, have now been incorporated into the work, and the point of view of the whole somewhat extended.
c2.s1.2
My first intention was to record the data furnished by the Mahābhārata in regard to the Warrior-caste. I have since been led to add matter illustrative of my topic from works more or less parallel to the Epic, and this paper now offers δι’ ἐκτύπων an inquiry into the conditions of civilization in the Middle Ages of India from the point of view of the ruling power. Into wider questions of pan-Aryan interest I have through lack of space refrained from entering: for example, into that of land-ownership and village communities, where a new and thorough investigation of India’s position is needed.
c2.s1.3
I believe no especially Epic study of Hindu civilization has yet been attempted. My authorities are, therefore, chiefly the native texts.∗
c2.s1.4
∗ A study of the Vedic period is presented by Zimmer’s *Altindisches Leben*. Weber’s *Collectanea* (*Indische Studien*, vol. x.), Lassen’s *Indische Alterthumskunde*, and Müller’s India touch on some of the points here discussed. Of Wilson’s Art of War and Rājendralāla-Mitra’s Indo-Aryans I shall speak more particularly below. On Epic antiquities Muir has some scattered remarks and a few special studies in his Sanskrit Texts. To these general acknowledgment is due. The term Epic I limit, for convenience, to the Mahābhārata, although,
c2.s1.5
The following abbreviations require explanation. Unprefixed numerical references imply that the quotation is from the Mahābhārata, Bombay edition.*
c2.s1.6
R. = Rāmāyaṇa, ed. Gorresio; M. = Manu's law-book (mānavadharmaçāstra); G. = Gāutama's law-book (dharmaçāstra), ed. Stenzler; Vās. = Vasiṣṭha's law-book (id.), ed. Führer; Āp. = Āpastamba's law-book (dharmasūtra), ed. Bühler; B. = translation of Bāudhāyana by Bühler. V. P. and Ag. P. denote respectively the Viṣṇu and Agni Purāṇas. The names of other Purāṇas and the authors of the House-laws (gṛhyasūtra) are when quoted given in full.