Ancient History of Saurāshṭra by Krishnakumari J. VirjiReview by: Briton Martin, Jr.Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 78, No. 3 (Jul. - Sep., 1958), p. 211Published by: American Oriental SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/595294 .

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Reviews of Books Reviews of Books 211 211

canonical Pali te2ats. It will be observed that it3 positive character does not compromise the inefEa- bility or unstatability of ntrvana, the true expres- sion of which must inevitably be-silence.

On the whole, Mr. PandeXs work is a valuable assembling of basic scholarly points of view with reference to the origins of Buddhist ideas. together

Ancient Btsto} y of Satzrashtra. By ERISHNAEU- MARI J. VIRJI. PP. iv + 354. Bombay: EONEAN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, 1952.

Dr. Virji has directed her study to the rise and fall of the Maitraka dynasty and its cultural influ- ence upon the western Indian areas of southern GFujarat and Malava from the fifth through the eighth centuries, A. D. The study is arranged into three parts: IIistory, Culture, and Geography, with an appendis and maps in support of the historical section. The writing is scholarly and the presentation orderly.

After a iTew concise introductory remarks con- cerning the nebulous history of Saurashtra previ- OU8 to the fifth century, A. D., Dr ATirji starts her study with the rise of the Maitraka dynasty of Valabhl (now known as Vala) which is thought to have been founded by S;rl Bhagaraka in or about A. D. 470. }e removed the vassal-status which had been imposed on the Valabhl area by Gupta imperial rule, and effected independent control of Valabhl and it3 surrounding lands. Within a short period of time, this kingdom became wealthy and influ- ential, and throughout the subsequent three dec- ades it dominated the history of southern Gujarat.

The historical portion of this work consists of a series of brief but well-documented studies of each of the nineteen rulers of the Maitraka dy- nasty. In the development of these studies, the author considers a number of cultural variables within each study? stressing in particular the in- terrelationships of religion (i. e., Dhruvasena I and the Jaina Council of A. D. 526 ) and esternal afEairs (i. e., the expansion of Maitraka power under Alladitya I in A. D. 590-615 and the recon- solidation of control in the Broach-southern Gu- jarat area under Dharasena IV by A. D. 650). In studying the period A. D. 521-733, Dr. Virji clearly indicates the political influence of various north Indian kingdomsS particularly that of Harea, and

canonical Pali te2ats. It will be observed that it3 positive character does not compromise the inefEa- bility or unstatability of ntrvana, the true expres- sion of which must inevitably be-silence.

On the whole, Mr. PandeXs work is a valuable assembling of basic scholarly points of view with reference to the origins of Buddhist ideas. together

Ancient Btsto} y of Satzrashtra. By ERISHNAEU- MARI J. VIRJI. PP. iv + 354. Bombay: EONEAN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, 1952.

Dr. Virji has directed her study to the rise and fall of the Maitraka dynasty and its cultural influ- ence upon the western Indian areas of southern GFujarat and Malava from the fifth through the eighth centuries, A. D. The study is arranged into three parts: IIistory, Culture, and Geography, with an appendis and maps in support of the historical section. The writing is scholarly and the presentation orderly.

After a iTew concise introductory remarks con- cerning the nebulous history of Saurashtra previ- OU8 to the fifth century, A. D., Dr ATirji starts her study with the rise of the Maitraka dynasty of Valabhl (now known as Vala) which is thought to have been founded by S;rl Bhagaraka in or about A. D. 470. }e removed the vassal-status which had been imposed on the Valabhl area by Gupta imperial rule, and effected independent control of Valabhl and it3 surrounding lands. Within a short period of time, this kingdom became wealthy and influ- ential, and throughout the subsequent three dec- ades it dominated the history of southern Gujarat.

The historical portion of this work consists of a series of brief but well-documented studies of each of the nineteen rulers of the Maitraka dy- nasty. In the development of these studies, the author considers a number of cultural variables within each study? stressing in particular the in- terrelationships of religion (i. e., Dhruvasena I and the Jaina Council of A. D. 526 ) and esternal afEairs (i. e., the expansion of Maitraka power under Alladitya I in A. D. 590-615 and the recon- solidation of control in the Broach-southern Gu- jarat area under Dharasena IV by A. D. 650). In studying the period A. D. 521-733, Dr. Virji clearly indicates the political influence of various north Indian kingdomsS particularly that of Harea, and

with a perceptive discussion of them. It may well serve to stimulate researches of others on questions at issue in this particular field although, consider- ing the character of the subject matter, unanimity may not be expected.

CLARENCE H. HAUIT.TON OBERLIN, OHIO

with a perceptive discussion of them. It may well serve to stimulate researches of others on questions at issue in this particular field although, consider- ing the character of the subject matter, unanimity may not be expected.

CLARENCE H. HAUIT.TON OBERLIN, OHIO

the Chalukyan dynasty of the Deccan over the Maitraka dynasty. A change occurred in this pat- tern upon the advent of the Arabs in Saurafshtra which Dr. ATirji dates about A. D. 735. The result- ing involvement in the Arab-Rastrakutan conflict over the Broach and Saurashtra areas inevitably weakened the Maitraka dynasty, and it came to an end under Alladitya VI in A. I>. TT6. The second part of the book takes up the culture of the Mai- traka dynasty. Drawing upon such sources as Maitraka coins and epigraphical records the chronicles of the Chinese travellers Fa-B:ien and Hiuen Tsiang, Buddhist and Jaina literature, and the works of Western scholars such as Buhler, Rhys Davids, Beal and others, Dr. Virji develops an interesting survey of the principal elements of Maitraka culture. Her section concerning religion is well presented, with attention placed upon the growth of Buddhism and Jainism and the influ- ence of Saivism upon the Maitraka (:ourt. The section dealing with society is rather general. Her presentation of economic conditions is detailed and well documented although more caution could have been applied in the use of contemporary WesterIl economic terminology. The chapter deal- ing with numismatics is interesting and under- scores the care taken by the author in utilizing primary source material. The same statement can be made concerning her section relating to epi- graphy upon which a large amount of her histori- cal and cultural study was based. The third and final part of the book deals with the geography of Saurashtra during the Maitraka dynasty. It is brief and contains two maps. This section could have been more effective if presented as an orien- tation chapter at the beginning of the book.

This study is a welcome contribution to the far too sparse collection of early histories relating to specific areas of India. It is hoped that additional stuaies of such merit are forthcoming.

the Chalukyan dynasty of the Deccan over the Maitraka dynasty. A change occurred in this pat- tern upon the advent of the Arabs in Saurafshtra which Dr. ATirji dates about A. D. 735. The result- ing involvement in the Arab-Rastrakutan conflict over the Broach and Saurashtra areas inevitably weakened the Maitraka dynasty, and it came to an end under Alladitya VI in A. I>. TT6. The second part of the book takes up the culture of the Mai- traka dynasty. Drawing upon such sources as Maitraka coins and epigraphical records the chronicles of the Chinese travellers Fa-B:ien and Hiuen Tsiang, Buddhist and Jaina literature, and the works of Western scholars such as Buhler, Rhys Davids, Beal and others, Dr. Virji develops an interesting survey of the principal elements of Maitraka culture. Her section concerning religion is well presented, with attention placed upon the growth of Buddhism and Jainism and the influ- ence of Saivism upon the Maitraka (:ourt. The section dealing with society is rather general. Her presentation of economic conditions is detailed and well documented although more caution could have been applied in the use of contemporary WesterIl economic terminology. The chapter deal- ing with numismatics is interesting and under- scores the care taken by the author in utilizing primary source material. The same statement can be made concerning her section relating to epi- graphy upon which a large amount of her histori- cal and cultural study was based. The third and final part of the book deals with the geography of Saurashtra during the Maitraka dynasty. It is brief and contains two maps. This section could have been more effective if presented as an orien- tation chapter at the beginning of the book.

This study is a welcome contribution to the far too sparse collection of early histories relating to specific areas of India. It is hoped that additional stuaies of such merit are forthcoming.

BRITON MARTIN, JR. BRITON MARTIN, JR. UNIVXR8ITY 0F PENNSLYANIA UNIVXR8ITY 0F PENNSLYANIA

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