When in 1925 the initiative was taken by the Kern Institute Leiden to start the publica tion of an Annual Bibliography of Indian Archaeology, the Board of the Institute could do so with confidence, as it was sure of the assistance of scholars all over the world as to the supply of publications as well as of information. With the help of this material a bibliography could be compiled by a small team of highly skilled archaeologists who could devote part of their time and attention to such a task for the benefit of their colleagues in all parts of the world. Times since then have changed, and circumstances have become less and less favourable. To find classified labour for the compilation and editing of such a bibliography has become extremely difficult, and this the more so as this work cannot be paid in accordance with the standards for this branch of classified documentation. The work has to be done as a part of the daily routine work even a scholar in today's time is expected to perform, and which he cannot but consider as being detrimental to the performing of those parts of his work, that demand the use of those qualifications that actually make him the expert.

The Bibliography Includes 4081 Entries, Covering Published Materials In English And French Languages Over The Last Two Centuries. The Book Gives A Representative Overview Of What Has Been Researched And Accomplished In The Field Of Indian Buddhist Art And Archaeology Since Wilkins S Article On Bodh-Gaya In 1788 Or Thomas Daniel'S First Illustration On The Kanheri Caves In 1798.

When in 1925 the initiative was taken by the Kern Institute Leiden to start the publica tion of an Annual Bibliography of Indian Archaeology, the Board of the Institute could do so with confidence, as it was sure of the assistance of scholars all over the world as to the supply of publications as well as of information. With the help of this material a bibliography could be compiled by a small team of highly skilled archaeologists who could devote part of their time and attention to such a task for the benefit of their colleagues in all parts of the world. Times since then have changed, and circumstances have become less and less favourable. To find classified labour for the compilation and editing of such a bibliography has become extremely difficult, and this the more so as this work cannot be paid in accordance with the standards for this branch of classified documentation. The work has to be done as a part of the daily routine work even a scholar in today's time is expected to perform, and which he cannot but consider as being detrimental to the performing of those parts of his work, that demand the use of those qualifications that actually make him the expert.