The Classical Age


Book Description

Contents: Introduction, The Empires of Ancient India, The Vakatakas, Post- Mauryan India, Political Order and Ideas, Social and Political Thought and Institutions, Kulyavapa, Dronavapa and Adhavapa, South India, The Age of Imperial Kanauj, The Mudrarakshasa the Web of Diplomacy, Valmiki, Vyasa and Kalidasa, R.C. Dutt s Translation of the Epics, Classical Literature, Conclusion.




Mudrarakshasa of Visakhadatta


Book Description

Thye Mudrarakshasa, unlike the majority of Sanskrit plays, is purely a political drama. It has for its theme, besides elevation of Chandragupta to the throne of Magadha, wining over of Rakashsa, the hostile minister of the Nanda dynasty to the side of Chandragupta and adoption of measures to strengthen the rule by Chanakya, the renowned politician of his times. In the words of H.H.Wilson; It is a historical or political drama, and represents a curious state of public morals, in which fraud and assassination are the simple means by which inconvenient obligations are open enemies removed. It is not, however, that such acts are not held in themselves as crimes, or that their perpetrators if instigated by vulgar vice or ferocity, are not condemned as culprits; it is only when the commission of the crime proposes a political end that it is represented as venial, and is compatible with an amiable. it includes the commentary of Dhundiaja, English translation, critical and explanatory notes, Introduction and various readings.




Mudraraksasa (The Signet Ring of Rakshasa)


Book Description

Mudraraksasa Is A Historical Play Of The Nataka Type In Seven Acts Written By Vishakadatta In 6Th Century A.D., In Which Chanakya, The Minister Of King Chandragupta Of Pataliputra, Wins Over Rakshasa, The Minister Of The Nandas To The Side Of Chandragupta. It Is An Unique Play In Many Respects. The Play Is Based On A Political Theme And It Bears Testimony To The Consummate Skill Of Visakhadatta As A Dramatist. It Does Not Present Any Of The Recognized Dramatic Sentiments (Rasa), But Introduces A New, Hitherto Unrecognized Sentiment Of Intense Rivalry Between Two Sharp-Witted Ministers Dedicated To The Service Of Their Respective Kings.




THE MURDER OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT, BOOK 2: THE SECRET WAR


Book Description

Seventy-two stunning findings about Alexander the Great and the assassin of Alexander the Great is finally identified. Who killed Alexander the Great? After over two thousand years of speculation, the assassin of Alexander is finally identified. To verify the truth, this historical narrative searches through a mass of conflicting records, including Indian and Greek classical texts. By assimilating new information from multiple sources, Ajith Kumar stitches together this scattered history with 72 pieces of fresh evidence to solve the perplexing murder mystery. Alexander’s destiny, it seems, was determined the moment he stepped into Taxila in India in 326 BC, as he was helplessly trapped in a different world, where an invisible enemy was leading a secret war against him. The Arthasastra of Chanakya, an epic treatise on statecraft and warfare, presents the multiple strategies of the 'secret war' which diverted and decimated the Greek army, and killed its supreme commander. In The Murder of Alexander the Great, Book 2: The Secret war, Ajith Kumar presents a new version of ancient history that still remains hidden in ancient Indian texts. The puzzling mystery behind Alexander's premature death is documented in Chanakya's 'Arthasastra,' a military manual of ancient India, which reveals devastating effects of the Secret War strategy employed by the Indians during the Greek invasion in 326 BC. The exotic weapon that killed Alexander is named as the 'Destroyer of time' in the Arthashastra, a military manual, and the Sanskrit Puranas. The Puranas also hold untold chapters of hidden history, which reveal how the Indians decisively destroyed the worldwide empire of Alexander the Great and changed the world for ever. The two-millennium-old murder mystery takes us back in time to the farthest corners of the primitive world, only to end in a stunning climax that lays bare the elusive assassin of Alexander.




Rakshasa’s Ring


Book Description

The aristocrat who wrote this vigorous political play eschewed sentimentality in favor of realistic characterization and forceful action. It is 316 BCE, one year after Chandra·gupta Maurya, aided by his subtle minister Chánakya, has seized the kingdom of Mágadha from the last king of the Nanda dynasty. Rákshasa, Nanda’s incorruptible minister, flees abroad and plots his vengeance, while Chánakya seeks to win him over to honor Chandra·gupta Maurya as his new king. The aristocrat who wrote this vigorous political play eschewed sentimentality in favor of realistic characterization and forceful action. It is 316 BCE, one year after Chandra·gupta Maurya, aided by his subtle minister Chanákya, has seized the kingdom of Mágadha from the last king of the Nanda dynasty. Rákshasa, Nanda's incorruptible minister, flees abroad and plots his vengeance, while Chanákya seeks to win him over to honor Chandra·gupta Maurya as his new king. Co-published by New York University Press and the JJC Foundation For more on this title and other titles in the Clay Sanskrit series, please visit http://www.claysanskritlibrary.org




Political Violence in Ancient India


Book Description

Foundation -- Transition -- Maturity -- War -- The wilderness.




Collegian


Book Description




Chanakya: The Kingmaker and the Philosopher


Book Description

“A learned man and a king are not equal, as the former is respected everywhere, but the latter only in his own dominions.” Canny, contemplative and courageous, Chanakya is known as one of India’s most multifaceted and enduring gurus. His smart, sage advice, captured forever in the twin classic treatises – the Arthashastra and the Nitishastra – has both the detailing of a draughtsman and the wide-ranging wisdom of a genius. Scholar, teacher, visionary, political strategist, economic philosopher and royal adviser, Chanakya put forth invaluable lessons that changed the course of history. Humiliated by Dhana Nanda, the ruler of Magadha, Chanakya turned adversity into strength and challenge into opportunity. Through clever diplomatic manoeuvres and wise confrontations, he choreographed young Chandragupta’s rise as the founder of the Mauryan empire, the first of its kind in power and territorial extent. Melding his knowledge with a shrewd observance of life, Chanakya outlined political and economic philosophies in a long-lasting body of pithy truths. And that is why, centuries later, his work and his words matter in today’s world. This book brings together the transformative incidents that shaped Chanakya’s life, and his most important sayings. From his understanding of the ideal way of life, you too can learn to be a little bit like Chanakya. PLUS: * Flipbook action page corner for a touch of fun * Timeline: A chronology of Chanakya’s life * Bonus Teachings!: A hundred tactical tips from Chanakya’s treasury of wisdom




A Comprehensive History Of Ancient India (3 Vol. Set)


Book Description

This book is primarily meant for the general public and the students, who desire to understand the history and culture of their country. Though a general work encompassing historical, cultural, economic, political and administrative features, the book is none the less authentic and authoritative. A Comprehensive History of India is the product of a joint venture undertaken by a group of historians who do not go by conformist views but by critical, objective and analytical assessment of events and developments in accordance with the methodical discipline of scientific research.




Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature


Book Description

A Major Activity Of The Sahitya Akademi Is The Preparation Of An Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature. The Venture, Covering Twenty-Two Languages Of India, Is The First Of Its Kind. Written In English, The Encyclopaedia Gives A Comprehensive Idea Of The Growth And Development Of Indian Literature. The Entries On Authors, Books And General Topics Have Been Tabulated By The Concerned Advisory Boards And Finalised By A Steering Committee. Hundreds Of Writers All Over The Country Contributed Articles On Various Topics. The Encyclopaedia, Planned As A Six-Volume Project, Has Been Brought Out. The Sahitya Akademi Embarked Upon This Project In Right Earnest In 1984. The Efforts Of The Highly Skilled And Professional Editorial Staff Started Showing Results And The First Volume Was Brought Out In 1987. The Second Volume Was Brought Out In 1988, The Third In 1989, The Fourth In 1991, The Fifth In 1992, And The Sixth Volume In 1994. All The Six Volumes Together Include Approximately 7500 Entries On Various Topics, Literary Trends And Movements, Eminent Authors And Significant Works. The First Three Volume Were Edited By Prof. Amaresh Datta, Fourth And Fifth Volume By Mohan Lal And Sixth Volume By Shri K.C.Dutt.