The History and Culture of the Indian People: Volume 4. The Age of Imperial Kanauj

The history of the period covered by this volume revolves round the pivot of Kanauj - from which it derives its name. The Pratiharas, the Palas and the Rashtrakutas constitute the triangle of forces fighting for supremacy, with the imperial city as the trophy, Incidentally the theory that Harshavardhana was not the last empire-builder is further sustained by the larger, and the more stable empire of the Gurjara Pratiharas which receives detailed treatment. The Rashtrakutas emerge in brilliant colours against the background of ancient Deccan. The part played by Kabul and Zabul in resiting Muslim infiltration has for the first time been brought into proper perspective. On the cultural side we see Buddhism and Jainism eddying into regional backwaters, the pure founts of Brahmanism and Buddhism coloured by Tantrikism. At the same time an interpretative phase in the religious and secular spheres ushers. In an otherwise dull firmament we notice the stars Sankara and Medhatithi lighting the paths of religion and law. In Visakhadatta and Rajasekhara the literature of the period finds an ornate phase. Udbhata, Vamana and Abhinavagupta are names to conjure with in rhetorics. The Champu finds its orientation. Indian pathology and materia medica find their categorical enunciation in Madhavakara and Dhanvantari, The Nagara and Dravida types of architecture take definite shape. The monolith Kailasa temple at Ellora remains a unique achievement with no parallel in the history of Indian architecture. The volume ends up with a brilliant chapter on the trans-oceanic cultural activities of the period. A comprehensive index, exhaustive bibliography, chronology, genealogy and maps complete the uniqueness of the volume.