This book was written when I was working as a Research Scholar under the Directorate of Education, Government of West Bengal.
I have attempted to present in my book an account of the Hūņas in India from about the 5th century A.D. to the 12th century A.D. and also a complete study of their early history before they came to India.
The advent of the Hunas in India was an event of far-reaching consequences in Her history. The Hūņas contributed substantially towards the destruction of the great empire of the Guptas. They established their political power in some parts of India. After the downfall of the Imperial Guptas, when the Pushyabhutis of Thaneswar attempted to build up another empire they had to confront the Hüņas against whom they had to proceed with their army. The rise of the Maukharis, the Pushyabhutis of Thaneswar and several other dynastic of indigenous origin introduced some amount of political unity which had been disrupted as a consequence of Hūņa invasion. The Hūnas continued to rule for several centuries as references to their political and military activities are to be found in literature and inscriptions down to about 11th century A.D. The Hūņas were Hinduised and according to many eminent Historians they came to be known as Rajputs, who defended Hindu culture and religion against later invaders of India. The actual contributions of the Hūņas in social, cultural and political fields have not yet been fully obtainable and ascertained. But a critical analysis of the materials relating to the different aspect of Indian history from about 5th century A.D. onwards which is proposed to be conducted by me is expected to throw important light on the problems (specially of political history connected with the Hūņas. For a complete study of the part history of India it is necessary that their origin and early antecedent history before they came into contact with India.
There are records which allude to their history, institutions and achievements during the many centuries which preceded their inroads into and settlement in India. A knowledge of this earlier history hased on various accounts whose historical value has been assessed will be of great use in determining the type of culture which they brought to the country and which gradually assimilated into the polity and civilisation of India.
I feel grateful for the help derived from various sources in writing this book viz. edited texts, translations, commentaries, books and journals, catalogue and reports and other such publications devoted to the subject. I have indicated my indebtedness to them in the text and Bibliography. I take the entire responsibility for all the mistakes of omission to be found in the book, some of which are due to careless proof-reading.
I feel greatly indebted for the help I secured from the Calcutta University Central and our Department Library, The National Library and the Asiatic Society Library and the Library of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture and also other Libraries of Calcutta.
It is my most pleasant duty to express my grateful thanks to all those who have generously encouraged and helped me in the preparation of my research career. First of all I think of my beloved parents, Dr. M. N. Niyogi and Mrs. Snehalata Niyogi whose affection and encouragement inspired me to devote my humble life in pursuit of Indological study and research. I must express my deep gratitude to my revered teacher, Dr. Benoy Chandra Sen, formerly of Calcutta University and Professor of Indology, Government Sanskrit College, Calcutta for his guidance and unfailing assistance received from him throughout my research career. The debt I owe to him can hardly be expressed in words. I take this opportunity to offer my tribute of respect to his memory.
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