Acknowledgement

In the preparation of this thesis I worked under the guidance and supervision of Dr. K.B. Archak, M.A., Ph.D., Senior Lecturer, Department of Studies in Sanskrit, Karnatak University, Dharwad. The suggestions given by him when going through the script, were of immense value to me, for which I am very grateful to him. His firm and sympathetic gesture while scrutinising the thesis is worthy of emulation. Similarly, I am very much indebted to Dr. M.B. Paraddi, M.A. Ph.D., Professor and Chairman, Department of Studies in Sanskrit, Karnatak University, Dharwad, for his kind help and encouragement in completing this research work. I am in deep gratitude and obligation to Dr. D.N. Shanbhag, M.A., Ph.D., Professor (Retd), Department of Sanskrit, Karnatak University for his help from time to time in the research field. I render my heartfelt thanks to Dr. M.N. Joshi, Reader in Sanskrit and Vidwan Jayatirthacarya Malagi, Shastri, of the P.G. Department of Sanskrit Karnatak University, Dharwad, for having given useful suggestions. I am highly grateful to the Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, and other concerned authorities of the Karnatak University, Dharwad for having helped me in the requisite directions. I extend my gratefulness also to the Librarian and staff members of the Central Library, Karnatak University, Dharwad for their kind help in providing books, journals etc., required to my research studies. I am indebted to Smt. and Sri Venkatesh Inamati, Shree Graphics, S.B.I. Colony (Keshav Nagar), Dharwad, for having helped me in getting the thesis completed neatly and precisely, well in time. My affectionate thanks are due to my father Dr. C. V. Rangaswamy, Reader (Retd.), Department of History and Archaeology, Karnatak University, Dharwad and other family members for their co-operation and encouragement in completion of this thesis.