SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Chapter I - deals with the geography of Maharashtra and I have tried to throw as much light as possible upon this obscure subject from various sources. I have also marshalled all the available information about the tribes and peoples inhabiting the various parts of the Maratha country. Chapter II - deals with the history of Maharashtra from the earliest times down to c. 200 B.C. Important questions such as the Aryanlsatlon of the country and Pre- Aryan history have been discussed. Mention may be made here of the Palthan excavations which throw an interesting sidelight on the earliest period. Chapter III - describes the rise and growth of the Satavahana empire. Complicated questions like the original home of the Satavahanas, and their genealogy and chronology have been handled. Chapter IV - deals with the Scythians in Maharashtra. I have put forward a new view as regards the date of the Saka king Nahapana. Chapter V - deals with the history of the powerful but little-known Vakataka kingdom. Chapter VI - deals with the history of Southern Maharashtra under the Kadambas. In Chapter VII, I have treated the history of minor dynasties which had been neglected for a long time. This chapter brings to light the Kalachurl, Traikutaka and the Nala dynasties. Chapter VIII - includes the history of the Early Chalukyas of Badami. I have thrown new light on the origin of the Chalukyas and their relations with the different powers of Northern and Southern India. I have also suggested a new date for the last Chalukya expedition against the Pallavas of Kanchi. Chapter IX - deals with the early history of the Rashtrakuta i.;milies . The obscure history of one of thesefamilies has been illuminated by the latest discoveries of copperplates. The reign of Govinda III, the greatest Rashtrakuta emperor, has been thoroughly dealt with and several complex problems of his time have been solved in a new fashion. Chapter X - deals with the history of the Rashtrakuta empire down to 975 A.D. Particular attention has been paid here to the empire's relations with the Eastern Chalu- kyas, the Ganges of Mysore, the Kalachuris and others. New reasons have been put forward for the fall of the empire. Chapter XI - deals with the history of the Later Chalukyas down to c. 1000 A.D. New light has been shed on the reigns of Taila II and his son Satyasraya. Further, the history of another branch of the Chalukya dynasty has been treated in the light of new inscriptions. Chapter XII - includes the minor dynasties of Maharashtra. I have put forward a new view as regards the origin of the Early Yadavas. I have fully dealt with the rise of the Silaharas, the Kadambas and the Rattas.