Nagri Pracharini Patrika Part 11

This document is the Part 11, Issue 2 of the "Nagri Pracharini Patrika," a quarterly journal focused on ancient research, published by the Nagri Pracharini Sabha in Kashi. The editor is Mahamahopadhyay Ra.B. Gaurishankar Hirashankar Oza. The publication date is Shravana, Samvat 1987 (around August 1930).

The journal lists several newly published and upcoming books related to Indian literature, history, and philosophy, including works by Vidyapati Thakur, Ramchandra Shukla, and Purushottam Sharma Chaturvedi.

The main article in this issue is "A Broad View of the History of Greater India" by Shri Parmatamasharan, M.A., Kashi (Pages 4-27). This article discusses the historical expansion and influence of Indian culture and civilization beyond the Indian subcontinent.

Here's a summary of the key points from this article:

• Challenging Western Perceptions: The article begins by addressing the earlier belief among Western scholars that ancient India was isolated and its civilization was confined to its own borders, with no significant contact with other nations. This belief was partly attributed to the perceived taboo against sea travel in Hindu religious texts and the observation of India's caste system and dietary restrictions, leading scholars to conclude that India inherently favored isolation. They also believed that India's progress was primarily in spiritual and philosophical realms, neglecting material sciences.

• Evidence of Ancient Connections: New discoveries have refuted this theory of "India's splendid isolation." A significant piece of evidence is the 1907 discovery of an inscription at Boghazkoy in Syria, dating back to the 14th century BCE. This inscription reveals that the Hittite and Mitanni tribes, while making a treaty, invoked Vedic deities like Indra, Varuna, and Marut as witnesses. This indicates a connection between Vedic culture and ancient Western Asia.

• The Spread of Indian Culture: The article asserts that recent research over the past 20-25 years has confirmed the spread of Indian culture throughout West and Central Asia, and eastward to Java, Sumatra, Siam, Cambodia, Bali, and other regions.

• India's Ideal of Empire: The article contrasts the Indian ideal of empire with that of other ancient civilizations. While kings in Persia (like Darius) and Greece (like Alexander) sought to conquer and establish universal empires through military might, Emperor Ashoka of India established a "dhamma-empire" or "Greater India" based on peace, righteousness, and the upliftment of all beings. Ashoka's policy of non-violence and the pursuit of peace after the Kalinga War is highlighted as a unique approach to statecraft and empire-building.

• Ashoka's Missionaries: Ashoka sent emissaries to various kingdoms in Syria, Egypt, Cyrene, and Macedonia, as well as to Lanka (Sri Lanka) and Suvarnabhumi (Burma) to spread the message of Dharma. This demonstrated that political expansion could also be driven by spiritual and ethical objectives.

• Influence on Other Cultures: The article mentions the impact of Indian culture on Greek rulers in India, leading to the development of "Greco-Buddhist Art." It also notes that as early as the 1st century CE, Indian culture was spreading widely. During the early centuries CE, the Aryo-Buddhist tribes of Central Asia were assimilated, and the concept of Mahayana Buddhism (focusing on the welfare of all humanity) was developed, championed by scholars like Ashvaghosha.

• Cultural Exchange: The article highlights a period of significant cultural integration and mutual reinforcement between various civilizations. It notes the interaction between Buddhism, Mazdaism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity, suggesting that these encounters were beneficial rather than conflict-ridden. The influence of Buddhism on early Christianity is discussed, citing the presence of Buddhist adherents (Essenes and Therapeuts) in Cyrene and Egypt before the birth of Christ.

• Spread to the East: The article details the spread of Indian culture and religion to the West-North regions like China, Tibet, Nepal, Japan, and Central Asia (Serindia), and their subsequent dissemination to China by various tribes. The translation of Buddhist texts into Chinese, the travels of Faxian, and the missionary work of Kumarajiva and Buddhabhadra in China are discussed. The influence of Indian culture on Korea and Japan is also explained, including the adoption of Buddhism as a state religion in Japan and the influence on its arts and society. The introduction of Buddhism in Tibet, the development of Vajrayana and Kalachakrayana, and the eventual establishment of Lamaism are mentioned.

• Indian Influence in Southeast Asia: The article then focuses on the spread of Indian civilization to Southeast Asia, including Burma, Siam, Cambodia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Bali. Evidence in the form of ancient ruins and inscriptions suggests that Indian merchants and travelers had established connections in these regions from the early centuries CE. The kingdoms of Champa and Cambodia became thoroughly Hinduized by the 5th century CE.

• Cultural Manifestations in Southeast Asia: The article provides specific examples of the enduring influence of Indian culture in these regions:

  • Thailand (Siam): The "swing festival" (Loy Chingcha) in Bangkok is described as a transformation of the Indian Dol Yatra. It involves rituals with Brahmin priests, a large swing, and offerings, possibly symbolizing solar cycles or the Samudra Manthan myth.
  • Java: The tradition of "Wayang" (puppet shows) is discussed, where Javanese Islamic culture continues to present narratives from the Mahabharata. The Wayang performances use shadow puppets and are accompanied by music. The article notes that Javanese people even consider themselves descendants of the Pandavas and Kauravas.

• The Mahabharata's Impact: The deep influence of the Mahabharata in Java is highlighted, with its stories forming the basis for plays and influencing the local understanding of their own history and lineage.

• Other Articles: The journal also contains articles on:

  • "Statues of Jaimal and Phatta (Patta)" by Thakur Chatur Singh, Mewar (Pages 28-36). This article discusses the statues of the valiant Rajput warriors Jaimal and Phatta, who defended Chittorgarh against Emperor Akbar. It corrects a misunderstanding about their origin, asserting that statues found in Nepal are likely of these historical figures, possibly due to the influence of the Gorkha rulers who had ties to Rajput traditions. The article also recounts Akbar's admiration for their bravery, leading him to erect their elephant-mounted statues in Agra, and later Aurangzeb's destruction of these monuments.
  • "Aurangzeb's 'Hitopadesh'" by Pandit Lajaram Mehta, Bundi (Pages 37-43). This article describes a manuscript of the "Hitopadesh" (a collection of moral and political maxims) that seems to have been compiled based on the teachings of Emperor Aurangzeb, possibly by a courtier named Shankar Pant and compiled by Shyamdas. Despite Aurangzeb's reputation as an opponent of Hindu culture, the article suggests that the teachings themselves contain valuable wisdom on religion, politics, and social conduct, distinct from his religious fanaticism.
  • "The Development of Hindi Prose Style" by Shri Jagannath Prasad Sharma, M.A., Kashi (Pages 45-124). This is a lengthy and detailed essay tracing the evolution of Hindi prose from its early stages, influenced by spoken dialects and the contributions of Sufi poets and later writers. It discusses the development of Khari Boli, the influence of Persian and Arabic, the emergence of Urdu, and the contributions of key figures like Amir Khusrau, Kabir, Raja Shiva Prasad, Raja Lakshman Singh, Bharatendu Harishchandra, Balakrishna Bhatt, Pratapnarayan Mishra, Ambikadutt Vyas, and Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi in shaping modern Hindi prose. The article examines different stylistic trends, the impact of religious movements (like the Arya Samaj), and the role of printing in the dissemination of Hindi literature.

In essence, the "Nagri Pracharini Patrika," Part 11, Issue 2, serves as a platform for scholarly research into India's rich history, culture, and literary development, highlighting the interconnectedness of Indian civilization with the wider world and the evolution of the Hindi language.