Dr Ranajit Pal???

**Che Roriniho** · 06-24-2010, 10:38

I don't quite agree here, as the majority of his theories (AFAIK) are, whilst slightly sensational, they don't massively change the history of the world, they just provide more detail.. It's because of this I am not dismissing him out of hand.

The question still stands though, what is his acedemic reputation like?

**Che Roriniho** · 07-07-2010, 22:33

Anyone?

**abou** · 07-07-2010, 22:48

Haven't read it I don't see much that gives me confidence. For example, from the Bryn Mawr Classical Review:

It sheds a new light on him and his supposed cruelty or whims. The text also highlights how Indology could help in the study of the history of the Hellenistic period. However, the absence of an index is an irritant. Also, credit for the pictures and maps is not given. A bibliography would have greatly enhanced the value of the book. Finally, for Western readers whose familiarity with the Indian texts is inadequate, a prosopography or an index of kings and generals named differently in the Graeco-Latin and in the Indian sources would have been very useful.

So no index, lack of credit for works, and no bibliography? Sounds like quackery to me.

And it doesn't seem like he's done enough to be well known in the community.

**abou** · 07-07-2010, 23:29

Originally Posted by Che Roriniho

I don't quite agree here, as the majority of his theories (AFAIK) are, whilst slightly sensational, they don't massively change the history of the world, they just provide more detail.. It's because of this I am not dismissing him out of hand.

Well, not of the world, but they massively change the history of the region. You have to expect me to believe that Asoka was Diodotos I, who had to cover his semi-independence from the Seleukids by some clever iconography on his coinage while simultaneously conquering much of India? Then, he passed on his incredibly powerful kingdom to his son, which was usurped by Eumenes, who then had his ass handed to himself by Antiochos III?

So you would see why I'm skeptical.

**Che Roriniho** · 07-08-2010, 01:20

Fair call. And thanks very much, you saved me quite a embarrassing boob in my IB Extended Essay. Incidently, what recent authors other than Frank Holt do you recommend for the Early Greco-Bactrians?

**Fulminatrix** · 07-08-2010, 03:24

no, thats just a wacky propaganda

**Ibrahim** · 07-08-2010, 03:31

Originally Posted by Fulminatrix

no, thats just a wacky propaganda

just like anything from John Ruben, and his "crow-knees".

@ Che: I wish I could help; however, I do suggest you look up the Wikipedia article, and simply see what sources the website cites for the information; then, use the links and ISBN numbers to hunt down those sources, and go from there.*

*I do NOT recommend using the Wikipedia article itself; I only go there to look up the sources, and do my own research.

**abou** · 07-08-2010, 10:31

Originally Posted by Che Roriniho

Fair call. And thanks very much, you saved me quite a embarrassing boob in my IB Extended Essay. Incidently, what recent authors other than Frank Holt do you recommend for the Early Greco-Bactrians?

Good question. Holt is the best I can think of. There are older historians such as Tarn, but so much has happened in the last century with archaeology that it might no longer be relevant. There have been writings by Greek historians, but I worry too much about nationalism creeping in and causing a skewed view of history.