Orissa Through the Ages: Historical Background (4 vols.)

by S.R. Bakshi and B.L. Sharma

The theme has deep academic link with various phases of the history of Orissa. The four volumes have been dealt in a comprehensive manner and its contents are fairly useful for teachers and scholars. 

Volume I deal with eleven chapters commencing from Kurus and Panchalas, the age of Mauryas, the Magadha Empire, kingship and administration, foreign invasions, the Gupta Empire, advent of a new era, the caste system, constitution of 1935 and views of the Viceroy Lord Linlithgow.

Volume II has deep links with culture and traditions and it has been well-knit into fourteen chapters. It commences from the Vedic Religion, Buddhism and Jainism, the society as a whole, monuments and rock edicts, art and culture, Konark etc.

Volume III ha bearing on trends and development and contains fourteen chapters on progress of literature, architecture, Persian and Greek invasions, Indo-Aryan settlements, development of agriculture, economic problems, co-operative village and Orissa marches ahead.

Volume IV has comprehensive links with the role of Harekrushna Mahtable with eight chapters in the text. It gives a complete picture of his career, official correspondence, administrative reforms, Indian socialism and the trend of masses.