Historical Geography of Ancient India

The book is structured into five major regional chapters after a substantial introductory section. The introduction examines the principal sources for reconstructing ancient Indian geography, including Vedic literature, Brāhmaṇas, Upaniṣads, Purāṇas, epics, Buddhist and Jain texts, Greek and Roman accounts, Chinese pilgrim records, inscriptions, coins, archaeology, and modern research. It then discusses the different names of India, the traditional shape and divisions of the subcontinent, and physical features such as the Himalayas, Vindhyas, caves, and river systems. Chapter I studies Northern India, including regions connected with the northwest, the Gangetic plain, early Buddhist geography, and important historical centres. Chapter II treats Southern India, focusing on the Deccan, Tamil regions, coastal zones, and southern kingdoms. Chapter III examines Eastern India, including Bengal, Assam, Odisha, and related cultural-geographical areas. Chapter IV presents Western India, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Sindh, and western coastal regions. Chapter V discusses Central India, with attention to its mountains, rivers, routes, cities, and historical-political formations. The volume concludes with an index and maps, including “Some Mountains and Rivers of India,” “Mahājanapadas or Great States in Ancient India,” and “Ancient India.”