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Commentary Quote by Aurel Stein

“The labours I devoted between 1888 to 1900 to the critical edition, translation and commentary of Kalhana's Rajatarangini, the only true historical text of Sanskrit literature, afforded me ample opportunities of gaining close contact with Sanskrit savants of Kashmir, the land where traditional…” quote by Aurel Stein
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“The labours I devoted between 1888 to 1900 to the critical edition, translation and commentary of Kalhana's Rajatarangini, the only true historical text of Sanskrit literature, afforded me ample opportunities of gaining close contact with Sanskrit savants of Kashmir, the land where traditional learning of Hindu India had flourished in old times greatly and survived until recent years.”

Aurel Stein

About This Quote

Source Book: Kalhana's Rajatarangini Critical Edition, Translation and Commentary, 1900

Stein’s work on the Rajatarangini gave him deep engagement with Kashmiri Sanskrit scholars, highlighting the region’s historic scholarly tradition.

In simple terms: His research connected him with living experts of ancient Sanskrit.

Key Takeaway

Engage with local experts to deepen understanding of historical texts.

Themes

history scholarship culture language tradition

Mood

reflective academic

Type

historical scholarly

When to use this quote

  • academic research
  • archival work
  • cross‑cultural study
  • preservation of heritage

Key Concepts

Sanskrit studies textual criticism regional history

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can modern scholars build on Stein’s foundations?
  • What biases might affect his interpretations?
A Different Perspective

Limited to the perspective of a single scholar and era.

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