This encyclopaedia aims to provide authentic information on various aspects of ancient Indian culture and civilization. Barring political history, almost all possible subjects pertaining to the multiple facets of ancient Indian culture have been dealt with necessary textual and epigraphical references. The topics covered (literary, linguisitic, religious, philosophical, artistic, economic, legal, social, educational, medical, scientific, tech­nological and allied matters) have been arranged under suitable headings to meet the needs of modern scholarship.

As an Indologist, N.N. Bhattacharyya requires no introduction. He retired as professor of History from Calcutta University and passed away in 2001. He wrote a large number of books most of which have gone into several printings.