The collection of essays in this work is intended to draw the attention of scholars to some of the recent researches on various aspects of early Indian history and culture. They were, with some exceptions, delivered as lectures and later marginally changed for publication. All these papers are concerned with the sources, historiography, history, society and religion and art and culture and interpretation of various facets of early Indian history and culture. The interdisciplinary approach expressed in some papers is indicative of a new direction in historical research. This historiographical change has introduced many innovations in the study of early Indian history. The increasing interest in the historiography of early period is an indicator of the awareness of the role of ideology in historical interpretation. We are confident that this book will have the widest readership that it so thoroughly deserves.