Story Of Nation Buddhist India

The book "Buddhist India" by T. W. Rhys Davids, published by T. Fisher Unwin Ltd, aims to provide a comprehensive account of India during the period of Buddhist ascendancy. The author emphasizes the importance of viewing this era not solely from the Brahminical perspective but also by incorporating the viewpoint of the Rajput or ruling class. Rhys Davids highlights that the Brahminical view, dominant when Europeans first encountered India, has often been treated with undue reverence, leading to a neglect of alternative interpretations.

The book challenges the notion that India lacked historical records or that its history was solely shaped by Brahmins. Rhys Davids argues that the available materials, though sometimes fragmented, reveal a more complex picture. He points out that the Brahminical literature, often written later, sometimes ignored or downplayed the existence of aristocratic republics and the influence of non-Brahminical thought.

Key Themes and Content:

• Political Landscape: The book details the existence of four major kingdoms (Magadha, Kosala, Vamsas, and Avanti) and numerous smaller ones, alongside aristocratic republics, during the rise of Buddhism. It discusses the interrelationships, alliances, and conflicts between these entities.
• Social Structure: Rhys Davids explores the social grades, including the "Colours" (Varna) of Kshatriyas, Brahmins, Vaisyas, and Sudras, while emphasizing that these distinctions were not as rigid as later caste systems. He notes the existence of "low tribes" and "low trades" and the fluidity of occupations. The concept of "caste" as understood today is argued to have not yet fully developed during the Buddha's time.
• Village and Town Life: The book describes the organization of villages, emphasizing communal rights and responsibilities, and contrasts them with isolated European farmsteads. It also provides insights into the structure and appearance of ancient towns, including their fortifications, housing, and marketplaces.
• Economic Conditions: Rhys Davids details the various crafts and guilds, trade routes (both internal and external), currency (copper coins called kahāpanas), instruments of credit, and the general economic well-being of the populace. He notes the absence of landlords and paupers in villages.
• Writing and Literature: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the origins and development of writing and literature in India. Rhys Davids argues that writing was introduced late, by Dravidian merchants from Babylon, and that its adoption for extensive literature was hindered by the lack of suitable materials and the strong oral tradition maintained by the Brahmins to preserve their own texts. He traces the evolution of Indian alphabets and discusses the dating of various literary works based on linguistic and stylistic evidence.
• Religious Beliefs: The author challenges the conventional view that Brahminical literature exclusively represents the religious beliefs of the time. He highlights the prevalence of animistic beliefs, tree-worship, and the worship of local deities like Siri (goddess of Luck), which were not always prominent in Vedic texts but were popular among the masses. He also discusses the evolving pantheon and the decline of older Vedic deities in favor of newer conceptions.
• The Brahmin Position: Rhys Davids critically examines the claims of Brahminical supremacy, arguing that their intellectual dominance was not as absolute as their later texts suggest. He notes the rise of lay intellectual movements and the adoption of popular beliefs by Brahmins to maintain their influence. The book suggests that the Brahminical perspective often omits or distorts evidence to support their claims.
• Key Figures: The book provides biographical sketches and discusses the historical significance of prominent figures such as Ajātasattu, Pasenadi, Chandragupta, and Asoka. It analyzes their reigns, policies, and the historical context in which they operated. Asoka's conversion to Buddhism and his propagation of the Dhamma through his edicts are given significant attention.
• Development of Literature and Language: Rhys Davids traces the evolution of literary forms, from simple fables to ballads and early epic narratives, emphasizing the communal nature of literary creation in ancient India. He also analyzes the development of languages, from vernacular dialects to Pali and Sanskrit, and discusses the political factors influencing linguistic shifts.
• The Jātaka Book: A detailed examination of the Jātaka collection is provided, discussing its historical context, the evolution of Jātaka stories from folklore to Buddhist narratives, and their illustration on ancient monuments.
• Kanishka and the Kushan Period: The book touches upon the post-Asokan period, noting the confusion in historical records and the rise of new powers like the Sakas and Kushanas. It discusses the role of Kanishka and the introduction of Sanskrit as a literary language during his reign.

In essence, "Buddhist India" by T. W. Rhys Davids offers a revisionist history of ancient India, emphasizing the agency of non-Brahminical traditions and the importance of critically evaluating sources. It aims to provide a more nuanced and accurate understanding of a period shaped by diverse political, social, religious, and intellectual currents, with Buddhism playing a central role.