The History of India from the Earliest Ages

down to our own days. But the larger work comprises critical analyses of the sacred books, as the internal evidence on which the author bases his history of the ancient religion and civilization of the Hindús; whilst the volume. now before the reader comprises the general conclusions drawn from this internal evidence, illustrated by the evidence of external authorities. In a word, the present volume opens with retrospects of the Vedic and Brahmanic ages by the light of the materials already brought under review in the two former volumes. It then brings every other available authority, excepting that of the Mussulman historians, to bear upon the general subject. The life and teachings of Gótama Buddha, the evidence of Greek and Roman writers, the edicts of Priyadarsi or Asoka, the Buddhist chronicles, the recorded travels of the Chinese pilgrims in the fifth and seventh centuries, the Hindú drama, the traditions of the Rajpoots down to the seventeenth century, the travels of Marco Polo and others between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, and Faria y Sousa's history of Portuguese Asia during the sixteenth and greater part of the seventeenth centuries, have all been laid under contribution for every variety of information, and have been further illustrated by the experience derived during fifteen years' official residence in India and Burma. In this manner the attempt has been made to throw every light upon the history, the religion, and the civilization of the people of India before the coming of the English upon the scene.*

Two works have been just published by Messrs Trübner & Co., which will form interesting illustrations of the chapters in the present volume which are devoted to Buddhism. Both are by Mr Mutu Coomára Swamy, Mudeliár, of Ceylon. The first is entitled, "The Dethavansa, or the history of the Toothrelic of Gótama Buddha, translated into English with notes." The second is entitled," Sutta Napita, or the Dialogues and Discourses of Gótama Buddha, translated into English with notes and introduction."

b

The next volume, which is already in preparation, will be devoted to the history of Mussulman, Mahratta, and British India. The importance of the Mussulman annals cannot be denied; but that importance is due more to the part which the Mussulman religion has played in the history of the world, than to any light which it throws upon India in particular. This importance is increasing day by day; for few impartial observers will deny the fact that to all appearance the people of India are drifting slowly but surely towards the religion of the prophet of Arabia, rather than towards that Christianity which is freely offered, but which they are not prepared to accept. It is hoped that the volume on Mussulman, Mahratta, and early Anglo-Indian history will be published in November next.

Llibres