Acknowledgements

Sweta Prajapati of the Oriental Institute at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda provided the original impetus for this project. Ulrich Timme Kragh generously hosted me at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland, as part of the Narrative Modes of Historical Discourse in Asia Project. During two sabbaticals, Tim taught me the true meaning of Danish hygge. Simon Brodbeck of the University of Cardiff generously shared the invaluable expertise he gained in the process of translating the Harivaṃśa. Peter Schreiner, whose German translation was always at my elbow during my labours, served as an absent guide and mentor. Mark Allon, Greg Bailey, Raj Balkaran, Adam Bowles, John and Mary Brockington, Beth Rohlman, Adheesh Sathaye and Christiane Weissbach-Berger have all shared this journey in various ways. I gratefully acknowledge the interest, guidance and encouragement provided by all these kind colleagues. I am especially grateful to the two anonymous referees engaged by ANU Press, whose meticulous and critical attention has saved me considerable embarrassment. Thanks also to Jan Borrie for her punctilious copyediting and proofreading. All remaining errors are, of course, my own.