Description
This is a meticulously crafted translation of the surviving fragments from the Indika, the groundbreaking account by Megasthenes, the ancient Greek historian who witnessed Mauryan India during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. If you’re fascinated by how the classical world perceived India—or studying ancient history, Indology, or Indian civilizations—this book is essential. The Indika remains one of the most important primary sources for understanding India’s society, administration, and culture as seen through a foreigner’s perspective over 2,300 years ago. This edition preserves the scholarly translation with careful annotation, making it accessible to both academic readers and curious history enthusiasts.
- Reading age: 10 years and up
- Language: English
- Dimensions: 21.59 x 13.34 x 1.69 cm
- Publisher: Facsimile Publisher
- Publication date: 1 January 2020
- ISBN-10: 9368963126
- ISBN-13: 978-9368963127
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Megasthenes and why is the Indika important?
Megasthenes was an ancient Greek historian and diplomat who served at the court of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra during the 4th century BC. The Indika is his only surviving work and remains one of the most valuable primary sources for understanding ancient Indian society, government, and daily life as witnessed by a foreigner. It provides crucial insights into Mauryan administration and Indian culture.
Is this a complete version of the Indika or fragments?
This is a translation of the fragments of the Indika. The original work was lost, and what survives today are quotations and paraphrases preserved by later Greek and Roman writers. This translation carefully reconstructs these fragments, offering the most authentic picture available of Megasthenes’s original observations about India.
Who should read this book?
This book is ideal for history students, Indology scholars, those interested in ancient India and the Mauryan Empire, and general readers curious about how the ancient world viewed Indian civilization. It requires no prior specialized knowledge—the translation is accessible to anyone interested in ancient history.
What topics does the Indika cover?
The Indika covers diverse aspects of ancient Indian life including the Mauryan government structure, social castes, military organization, agriculture, trade, religion, customs, and daily life. Megasthenes’s observations provide invaluable details about Chandragupta’s administration and the prosperity of ancient India.
Where can I buy this Magasthenes Indika translation in India?
You can buy ‘A Translation On The Fragments Of The Indika Of Magasthenes’ online at The Bookish Owl at an affordable price of ₹542.25. We offer convenient delivery across India with secure online ordering.
