Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c2.13

v1.c2.13

The compilations of the literary evidences in Volume II follow the chronological sequence as in Volume I and highlight the fact that whereas correlations between the literary and archaeological data are evident in some cases (Pāṇini, Kauṭilya, Varāhamihira, etc.) there are serious discrepancies in the case of the epics. Since the archaeological dates of Hastināpur, Ayodhyā, etc. have been scientifically derived, we have questioned the traditional beliefs regarding the dates of the composition of the epics. If any further evidence is required to convince the readers that we are not chauvinistic, they might turn to chapter 10 of Volume II wherein we have contraposed the literary claims with archaeological data and historical facts, and furthermore placed the irrational trends in the Indian tradition side by side with the rational and positive aspects of Indian science.