Synopsis In recent years the study of political history of ancient India has perceptibly declined. This problem has been critically analysed in the theme-paper written for this monograph by Professor S.R. Goyal, an eminent historian of international repute. In it he has shown that it is the political history of ‘traditional’ type that has declined, that the decline of ‘traditional’ political history has taken place in the West also and that scholars of this subject must invigorate their discipline with a multidisciplinary approach relegating the deeds and dates of the kings into the background and making the political life of ancient Indian society the focal point of their study. In the debate initiated by him more than fifty scholars of India and other countries have participated, all of them arguing that political history of ancient India now needs a fresh approach and our attitude to the discipline must change. In all, it is an extremely thought-provoking exercise which the leading Indologists of the world have undertaken. It provides rich food for thought to those who are concerned with the decline of political history of ancient India and want to resuscitate their discipline.