SOME SOURCES OF RECORD the Chinese pilgrims, who from time to time visited the land which gave birth to Buddhism. From coins and other similar objects of archaeological interest a great deal can be learnt, and these, combined with the information obtained from epigraphic inscriptions, are of the greatest value to the historian. These epigraphic inscriptions are of several kinds. In Kathiawad the Asoka Stone at Junagadh is that of most value, and from it we are enabled to form some idea of happenings in three distinct eras. The kings of Walabhi were accustomed to give grants of land by means of copper-plates bearing records of such grants. A great many of these have been recovered during the operations of well-digging, and during the construction of other irrigation works. But the want of chronological data is a constant source of difficulty. For this reason the Chinese travellers' accounts are of the greatest value. The minutest details did not escape their notice, and they recorded accurate information as to time and place in a manner which suggests they wrote accounts of their travels for the benefit of future ages. The works of the Greek writers, too, are not to be despised, for by means of them it has been made possible to form a chronological starting-point by determination of the principal dates connected with the Maurya dynasty, of which Asoka was the third Emperor of India. Of pre- historic India the lack of record leaves us almost entirely ignorant, and history may be said to have been begun by the,invasion of Alexander the Great in the year 327 B.C. Having completed the crossing of the Hindu Khush and forced the passage of the Indus, he advanced as far as the Jhelum River. For various reasons he found it impossible to continue his advance into India and complete his conquest, so, after forming a Graeco-Bactrian kingdom in the Punjab, he sailed with his army down the Jhelum and Indus Rivers, returning, himself with half the army by land, and the remainder of his forces under Nearchos 9