Acknowledgement

Writing this note of thanks and acknowledging every person who had been behind this long journey is a pleasant task. It has been a period of intensive learning for me, not only in the theoretical arena, but also on a personal level. In this initiative the people who have supported and helped me deserve sincere thanks and my heartfelt gratitude.

To begin with, I express my heartfelt gratitude to my Supervisor Professor Susmita Basu Majumdar, Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture, University of Calcutta, Kolkata. I am really indebted to my Supervisor, without her constant help, supervision and guidance it would have been impossible for me to reach my desired goal. She taught me primary data collection and handling sources which have made this difficult task possible. The door to her house was always open whenever I needed help or had any query related to my research. She constantly steered me in the right direction and has always showered motherly affection on me.

I owe to Dr. Bijoya Goswami, Former Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, who has been kind enough to translate the Gajaśāstra in English and also provided me with the content of Hasyāyurveda and encouraged me many ways. Without her help this thesis would not have taken shape.

My sincerest gratitude goes to Shri Amiteshwar Jha, Former Director, IIRNS, Anjaneri, Nasik, Mr. T.S. Ravishankar, Former Director, ASI, Mysore, Vidushi Professor Dr. H.P. Devaki, Former Director, Oriental Research Institute, Mysore, without whose help and support my Ph. D research would not have taken shape.

I am indebted to all my teachers of the Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, who helped me with various ways by giving suggestions as and when necessary.

My heartfelt gratitude also goes to Dr. Debarchana Sarkar, Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, for her valuable suggestions and constant support.

I owe to Late Satya Ranjan Banerjee, Former Professor of Department of Linguistics, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, whose blessing and support encouraged me a lot.

I express my deep gratitude and indebtedness to my father Late Prosanta Kumar Das and mother Late Shanti Das for their faith in my capabilities and for showing immense patience and indulgences in the process of completing this work. Their blessings are always with me. I am especially indebted to my sisters Smt. Gopa Das, Dr. Dipa Das and Smt. Jhumpa Das for their motherly support. My special gratitude goes to Shri Tapan Kumar Bose Majumdar, Smt.

Uma Bose Majumdar and Shri Raja Roy Chowdhury for their blessings and constant support.

I would like to thank my friends Dr. Nayana Sharma Mukherjee, Mr. Soumya Ghosh, Mr. Sandip Pan, Dr. Paramita Basu, Smt. Smita Halder, Dr. Shoumita Chatterjee, Smt. Sreemanti Laha, Mr. Mintu Sannyasi, Dr. Ashoktaru Panda, Mr. Sagnik Saha and others who extended their valuable advice to me whenever needed.

My sincerest gratitude also goes to Shri Surajit Banerjee, Shri Subhash Bera, Shri Amitabha Gayen, Shri Tapan Kar, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Shri Nikhil Kumar Shah, Smt. Priti Das, Smt. Pinky Das, Dr. Jagatpati Sarkar and Dhar Brothers for their direct help and support.

Finally I express my sincere gratitude to the authorities of the Central Library, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, Museum and Library of the Asiatic Society, Kolkata, Library of Indian Museum, Kolkata, National Library, Kolkata, Centre for Archaeological Studies and Training, Kolkata, Mahabodhi Society, Kolkata, Library of IIRNS, Anjaneri, Nasik, Deccan College, Poona, Archaeological Survey of India, Mysore, Oriental Research Institute, Mysore, for giving me permission to consult necessary materials from time to time.

I also express my thanks to Professor Manikuntala Haldar (De), Former Professor, Department of Pali and Co-ordinator, Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Calcutta and all faculties of the Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Calcutta and to everyone who has helped me in this endeavour.

Chandrima Das

Place: Kolkata