XXX Christian era would otherwise be so obscene, but have-further preserved to us the names of numerous Sramanas-who visited India in the interests of Buddhism, as well as-the notices of embassies between China and India, all bearing witness to the close intercourse maintained between* the two countries. The particulars of the information they have contributed to the literary history of India will be noticed in their proper places. The seventh century brings us some genuine history. It opens with the supremacy of" Harshavardhana Siladitya II, the hero of Bana's romance^ whose durbar was the scene of the patronage pf.conr-temporary art and literature. About the same time occured the disruption of the early Chalukya kingdom, whose-numerous dated inscriptions record many references to literary history. From the eighth century onwards, synchronisms, internal evidence and contemporary notices combine-to fix with tolerably certainty the period of the more famous-writers. , , Of the quasi-historical works we have known a few. Most importantare \ht.Safrunjaya-Mahatmya vlDhananjay* the Harskachariia of Bana, the Vikramankadev^rcharita of' IZilhana and the Taranginis of Kalhana, Srivara and Jonaraja. > „ , Kalhana's Rajatarangini attracts our closest attention. As a chronicle of Kashmiriaa annals, it is perhaps a true-repoeseaJtatioD. Its importance in, literary history ,fe founded oa the variety ,aq