Asoka (The Carmichael Leactures, 1923)

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Preface So much has been said and written about Asoka that some of those who happen to see this hook may perhaps wonder what new things yet remain to be said about that Indian monarch. It must not, however, be forgotten that the records which Asoka has left in stone are a literature by themselves, and it will take many years yet for scholars to understand clearly all that he has said. A student of Indian Epigraphy need not be told that there are passages, by no means few, in these records, which are yet far from clear, and every day new and better interpretations are being proposed by scholars. There is, again, such a thing as piecing together the various items of information supplied by these inscriptions so as to give a vivid picture of the royal missionary. I am afraid, this work of piecing together is by no means complete yet and must continue for some more years to come. There is no section of Indian epigraphy, so interesting and, I should say, so edifying as that represented by the records of Asoka. And as I have participated not only in the work of interpretation but also of collation and unification of his records, I hope I stand in no need of explanation for bringing out this book which sets forth my views about the Buddhist monarch.

**Contents and Sample Pages**