Earlier two commemoration volumes in honour of late Prof. D.D. Kosambi had been released, one entitled Science and Human Progress published by the Popular Prakashan, Bombay and the other with the title Indian society Historical Probings planned by the Indian council and Historical Research. But, to cover adequately the many-sided genius of Prof. Kosambi and to pray befitting homage to his contributions towards the enrichment of human society and scholarship, we require many more such volumes. Hence our present volume does not require pleadings to justify itself.
He had a very intimate connexions with the Banaras Hindu University and some of its teachers and students. His first assignment as a teacher was in the Mathematics Department of this university. Even after relinquishing this position he maintained his contacts and visited the University from time to time. I have very vivid memories of his busy schedules on these occasions from 1964 onwards. He was in hot demand in a number of departments. It was real intellectual feat when the Professor addressed the teacher and research scholar in the Department of Zoology on some problem of genetics and then rushed to the College of Indology to resume his series of talks on Indian prehistory. I had the privilege to meet him first in 1964. at that time I was holding the post of Reader in the Department of history. I had no information about the series of lectures Prof. Kosambi was giving in the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology. Prof. Kosambi knew that I was in Varanasi and expressed his surprise at my absence. This was communicated to me and hence I attended his lecture the next day.
Our contacts grew closer. We had several occasion to share views on topics of mutual interest. Though I ventured to differ on certain points of vital historical significance. I always received his appreciative encouragement. Many young researchers in the country will confirm the patronizing encouragement he gave to their researchers and the almost parental interest he took in them. He would prefer to discuss the new researches of a young co-worker and stroll on the street rather than to accept the personal invitation of some high dignitary for tea or dinner.
I havea photographic memory of Prof. Kosambi participation in the Seminar on the Chronology of Punch-marked Coins organized by Department in the Hall of the Numismatic Society of India, Prof. Kosambi placed his views with absolute clarity. He brought his knowledge of many disciplines and languages to bar on the problem. It was difficult to match his skill in arguing. Scholars who approached the numismatic problem from their own particular point of view felt dwarfed in the presence of Prof. Kosambi who towered over them not only by his robust American personality but also by the heights of his intellectual attainments.
We learnt about the sudden and tragic death of Prof. Kosambi when we were in the midst of the editing of the discussion of the Seminar on the Chronology of Punch-marked Coins. I had a natural urge to dedicate the volume to Prof. Kosambi who had given a new direction to research studies on the Punch-marked coins and had also made useful contribution to the Seminar. But for certain reasons it could not be implemented.
In the present volume we have collected all these papers and also some other which we received from scholars who kindly agreed to associate themselves in paying homage to Prof. Kosambi. The other two Commemoration Volumes contain the tributes paid by some out of the numerous associates and admirers of Prof. Kosambi his biographical sketch and a bibliography of his writing with his own pithy comments. We have avoided duplicating these in the present volume.
The articles in the volume are not planned to cover any particular period or theme in Indian history. They generally concern topics in which Prof. Kosambi was interested. The articles are not arranged in any sequence. We have published them in the order they have been received. We offer the volume to our readers in the fervent hope that the academic values and disciplines for which Prof. Kosambi stood may create interest in larger number of people so that they may be further studied and explored.
We are beholden to Prof. S. Nurul Hasan for kindly inaugurating our celebrations. We are grateful to Dr. K. L. Srimali for fathering the programmes. Dr. M. L. Dhar, the present Vice-Chancellor of the University, has blessed the Commemoration programmed with a paternal care and concern.
The contribution to the volume are to be thanked for their kind cooperation. Thanks are also due to the members of the Commemoration Committee. The proprietors of the Tara Printing Works have obliged us by undertaking the work at an extremely short notice. I have a word of special thanks to my colleagues Dr. J.P. Singh and Dr. Nisar Ahmad for supervising the printing of the volume.
VaranasiMarch 6, 1977
Lallanji Gopal
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