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The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c11.s1.t15: The Reliability of Megasthenes Questionable

The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c11.s1.t15

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The Reliability of Megasthenes Questionable

c11.s1.t15.1

But whether Megasthenes's *Indika* is a reliable document for the actual facts of Chandragupta's India may well be doubted. About the *Glaubwürdigkeit* (reliability) of the Hellenist ambassador Stein himself is eminently sceptical. His remarks on this point are interesting.

c11.s1.t15.2

''Absolute reliance cannot be placed in Megasthenes,'' says he (pp. 297-298). According to Stein the *Indika* is marked by idealizings. Exaggerations are noticeable as well as incorrect generalizations. Then there are misunderstandings also which may in part be ascribed to the subsequent copyists. Those who have made use of the *Indika* have also introduced changes in the text. Megasthenes, we are told, was probably influenced by literary or historical surveys and interpretations. Or rather, the institutions of foreign countries (e.g. Persia, Egypt, Greece)¹ were ascribed to India by Megasthenes and those who borrowed of him. In certain instances the sources of his information seem to be limited. He may not have fully understood the deeper motives of Indian life. His report may be charged also with being a work not so objective as planned according to some definite scheme. The tendency to mention institutions with five members is an instance in point.

c11.s1.t15.3

¹ Pp. 18, 21, 129, 192, 252.

c11.s1.t15.4

These defects of Megasthenes notwithstanding, Stein has, curiously enough, proceeded to examine the Mauryanism of the *Arthaśāstra* by the touchstone of the *Indika*.

Cites (2)