The Age Of The Guptas And Other Essays

On the Gupta dynasty in northern India, 4th-6th century, and Indic studies.

On the Gupta dynasty in northern India, 4th-6th century, and Indic studies.

Offering the first long-duration analysis of the relationship between the state and religion in South Asia, this book looks at the nature and origins of Indian secularism. It interrogates the proposition that communalism in India is wholly a product of colonial policy and modernisation, questions whether the Indian state has generally been a benign, or disruptive, influence on public religious life, and evaluates the claim that the region has spawned a culture of practical toleration. The book is structured around six key arenas of interaction between state and religion: cow worship and sacrifice, control of temples and shrines, religious festivals and processions, proselytising and conversion, communal riots, and religious teaching/doctrine and family law. It offers a challenging argument about the role of the state in religious life in a historical continuum, and identifies points of similarity and contrast between periods and regimes. The book makes a significant contribution to the literature on South Asian History and Religion.

In the West Krishna is primarily known as the speaker of the Bhagavad Gita. But it is the stories of Krishna's childhood and his later exploits that have provided some of the most important and widespread sources of religious narrative in the Hindu religious landscape. This volume brings together new translations of representative samples of Krishna religious literature from a variety of genres -- classical, popular, regional, sectarian, poetic, literary, and philosophical.

The End-Century Edition Of The Who'S Who Of Indian Writers, Is An Invaluable Work Of Reference For Writers, Publishers, Readers And Students Of Literary History. For Ease Of Use, The Entries Are Arranged Alphabetically By Surname Or Part Of The Name Preferred By The Writers Themselves. A Large Number Of Cross- References Are Provided To Facilitate The Location And Identification Of The Writers.