Foreign Notices of South India (From Megasthenes to Mahuan)

Language: English
Pages: 356


Foreword

The book is a collection of historical material on South India, convering about 15 centuries from the well know to the Christian Era. During this long period South India was well know to the foreign world for its commercial products and traders. Some of the foreign travellers have left descriptive accounts of the areas and people, they came into contact during their life time. These accounts scattered in many publications and journals and housed in several archives of the world were not easily accessible for study even today.

The material compiled and edited in this volume portray the social life of the people and their economy in South India. It is an important source book to know the trade and mercantile activities with the countries on the East and West of South India.

The first edition of the book was published as far back as 1939 and the same is now published as third impression. During the long period of six decades new materials have appeared. Many studies on the socioeconomic aspects of south India were attemped incorporating the accounts of the foreign authorities. However the importance of the accounts of the foreign authorities. However the importance of the book was not minimized and was felt that the volume is indispensable to historians, economists, and sociologists. Considering the importance of the book and the long felt need of researches, Madras University thought it necessary to reprint this volume.

I wish to record my appreciation to Prof. Dr. E. Sundaramoorthy, Director, Publications Division for having taken a keen interest and special care in bringing out this volume.

 

Preface

This is a source-book of Early South Indian History. Its aim is to present