Illustrations: 1 Map Description: Bimala Churn Law's Geography of Early Buddhism fulfils the long and acutely felt need for such a work; for many of the topographical features, both real and imaginary described in ancient literature, exist no longer. Early Pali literature, Jataka tales, Asokan inscriptions and the account of Chinese pilgrims contain much geographical information along with a mass of other details. All these scattered facts are collected and arranged here in a systematic manner so as to bring out a coherent geographical picture of ancient India. The chapters are so planned as to bring out clearly the various physical features like boundaries, towns, cities, lakes, rivers and mountains of the five regions-Middle, North, West, South and East-in which India is traditionally divided. The countries-Ceylon, Burma and others which adopted Buddhism later-are also described. A note on Cetiya and a map, showing the important kingdoms, cities, rivers and mountains known in that dim and distant past, are added.

Illustrations: Numerous B/w Illustrations and 1 Map Description: Buddhist India portrays ancient India, during the period of Buddhist ascendency, from the non-Brahmin point of view. This study is based on the literary, numismatic and inscriptional records, and throws light on points hitherto dark and even unsuspected. This work is divided into sixteen chapters and presents a detailed account of the socio-economic, geo-political and ethico-religious conditions of the country. It describes at length the history of the kings, clans, nations vis-a-vis their role in the growth and spread of Buddhism. We get a clear perspective of the activities of Candragupta, Asoka and Kaniska--the principal characters in this performance. The Buddhist and kindred literature both in Pali and Sanskrit, with special reference to the Jatakas has been thoroughly exploited for this purpose.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1877.