Dialogues with the Masses in Ancient India

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The present book deals with different forms, methods and approaches of communication system in Ancient India particularly from sixth century B.C. to third century B.C. i.e. at the the time of the Buddha and Asoka.

The mass communication is a modern concept in the field of communication system. Although the mass communication is a modern technique to have dialogues with masses, its basic characteristics were prevalent throughout the human history.

The period sixth century B.C. to third century B.C. contributed a lot in the growth of communication process in India. During that time did not exist modern means of mass communication, the Buddha could become one of the greatest communicators during his time without availability of these means of mass communication is an interesting but important question. The present book explores the real extent and limitation of the communication system of the period evolved and utilized by the Lord Buddha.

Asoka successfully propagated Buddhism not only in different parts of India but even outside India through his inscriptions and messengers (Dhammamahamatyas). He is known to have given royal orders to citizens through his inscriptions. In the present book the author has tried to explore how did all his messages reach the people and what were their responses.

A number of books have been written on political, social, religious affairs of the people during the time of Buddha and the Asoka. The author has tried to examine the communication process of this period from original texts as well as taking helps from secondary sources.

Dr. Arvind Rituraj is presently teaching in Punjabi University, Patiala as a Assistant Professor. He completed his Ph.D. from University of Delhi. He has worked as a senior journalist in Delhi. He was associated with the top media houses like 'The Hindustan Times' and 'The Times of India". Graduate in Science he is a Post Graduate (M.A.) and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) from University of Delhi. He also holds Master Degree in Mass Communication (MMC) from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi.

As a journalist he has developed the insight of mass communication which has been affecting the different aspects of society throughout the ages. The basic features of mass communication were present in Ancient India. The author has tried to reinterpret the historical facts from communication point of view.

The author has presented a number of research and academic papers in different national and international seminars and workshops. His many research and academic papers and also a large number of articles have been published in referral journals and different magazines and newspapers on various issues. The author has a wide experience in teaching at college and university level as well as in professional journalism. He has also edited a book named The Questions of King Milinda.

The present volume DIALOGUES WITH THE MASSES IN ANCIENT INDIA is the result of my thinking and analyzing process of the Early Buddhism from communication point of view. The study of communication is the most important and thought provoking area of research in the modern world. I have done my work in different perspective. My main emphasis is on the means of communication during sixth century BC to third century BC. I consider this period was very remarkable in the history of India and the world. This was the period of formation of society and state in India. This age is witness of development and growth in many walks of life of society of state of then India.

When we go back to the to the age of Indus Valley Civilization we see the initial stage of means of communication and these means were carried forward by the generations with some modifications and changes. Rg Vedic Age to the time of Buddha and to the Asoka the exchange of ideas were carried forward through various means like oral tradition, signs and symbols, group communication, edicts, inscriptions etc. These means of communication are still important in the society with a lot of scientific evolution and research.

The present volume consists of five chapters. The first chapter deals with a sketch of the growth of communication of ideas during pre-Buddha India. This deals with just like a survey of communication system before the emergence of the Buddha, the great mass communicator. The second chapter deals with the emergence of a new society and the languages of mass communication particularly during sixth century BC to third century BC. The emergence of janapadas, mahajanapadas and city culture forced to come up new groups of people which acted as a mass base of mass communication. Pali and Prakrit were the major languages of mass communication. Chandas continued to be the language of communication of so called high profile group of people.

The mass communication is a modern concept in the field of communication system. It has revolutionalised the whole world. It has made the different societies more communicative and cohesive. It has broken all the boundaries. Actually we live in the age of mass communication in which information can be transmitted throughout the world within fraction of a second. Although the mass communication has been institutionalized and mechanized in modern era and it has become a burning topic of the time, its basic characteristics were prevalent throughout the human history.

Modern technologies open paths for a new era in the field of communication. Distance has ceased to be an obstacle in bringing the whole world into a global village. Today's process of communication is only a continuation of that process of communication which started with the emergence of human beings on the earth. Thus today's burning topic of communication has its genesis in the distant past.

Before coming of speech languages into existence people used many types of signs and symbols to communicate their ideas, emotions and messages. These means of communication continued to serve for a long period of time. As societies became comparatively complex, signs and symbols were proved inefficient to communicate relatively intricate ideas and emotions. Then another and effective means of communication were needed. After a passage of many years speech languages came into existence which made communication process very easy. Emergence of speech languages does not mean that previous means of communication became dead. They continued to exist. But their forms were changed. Meanings of signs and symbols were being taken in the light of speech languages.