About the Book
This deeply researched book highlights the glorious past of the Hindu civilization and appraises the evolution of Hindu culture and tradition over centuries. Hindus have made immense contribution in every field of human endeavour, a fact acknowledged world over, both in the past and the present. The book is also a convincing critique of views, which highlight the contributions of only the Western and the Islamic cultures to the development of human civilization.
About the Author
Har Bilas Sarda was a fine scholar, actively engaged with many reputed research organizations in his lifetime. He was a Fellow at the Royal Statistical Society of London, Member of the Statistical Association of Boston and Member of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Preface
This book has grown out of a pamphlet written years ago and put aside at the time. The object of the book is, by presenting a bird's eye view of the achievements of the ancient Hindus, to invite the attention of thoughtful people to the leading features of the civilization which enabled the inhabitants of this country to contribute so much to the material and moral well-being of mankind. And if this attempt succeeds in any way in stimulating interest in the study of the leading institutions of Hinduism and a proper appreciation of their merits, I shall be amply repaid for my labour.
I must take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to Mr. J. Inglis, Superintendent, Scottish Mission Industries, Ajmer, for his valuable assistance in seeing the book through the Press.
Introduction
In the history of the world, India occupies the foremost place. From the dawn of history to the present day India has been connected in one way or another with almost every event of world importance. By endowing India with the best and the choicest of gifts it had in store, Nature herself ordained that this magnificent country, with a climate varied and salubrious, a soil the most fertile in the world, animal and plant life the most abundant, useful and diversified to be found anywhere on the face of the earth, should play the leading part in the history of mankind.
Mr. Murray says: "It (India) has always appeared to the imagination of the Western World adorned with whatever is most splendid and gorgeous; glittering, as it were, with gold and gems, and redolent of fragrant and delicious odours. Though there be in these magnificent conceptions some-thing romantic and illusory, still India forms unquestionably one of the most remarkable regions that exist on the surface of the globe. The varied grandeur of its scenery and the rich productions of its soil are scarcely equalled in any other country."