The paramount objective of this volume is to focus attention on the problems and planning of a Sourcebook of Indian Civilization, specially its first phase, which may be equivalent to what is generally referred to as the ’ancient period’ of Indian Civilization. Leading research scholars and experts have contributed to this volume. In following the policy of encouraging multidisciplinary approach, the problems and planning of a Sourcebook have been viewed from many angles. The contributing authors include scholars from History, Literature, Archaeology, Sociology and Anthropology. The topics covered and discussed in this volume include: the ideas and difficulties with regard to a Sourcebook, its methodology and its chronological problems; guidelines for the utilization of such sources as literary, linguistic, religious, philosophical, social, economic, anthropological, fine arts and archaeology; and of sources from outside India specially in the other parts of South and Southeast Asia.About the Author: S.C. Malik retired as a UGC Professorial Research Scientist in Anthropology (1988-1997). Earlier, he was associated with the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla (1966-1989); M.S. University of Baroda (1956-1971); and was the Fulbright Smith-Mundt Scholar at the University of Chicago (1963-65). Some of his major books are: Indian Civilization: The Formative Period (1968); Understanding Indian Civilization: A Framework of Enquiry (1975); Modern Civilization: A Crisis of Fragmentation (1989); Reconceptualising the Sciences and the Humanities: An Integral Approach (1995). There are several edited volumes and significant papers to his credit.