The book deals with the history and civilization of India (150 A. D. to 350 A.D.) during the Naga-Vakataka Imperial period.

The book is divided into five parts:
(i) India under the Naga Dynasty (150 A.D. - 284 A.D.), (ii) The Vakataka Empire (284 A.D. - 348 A.D.) with an Appendix on the later Vakataka Kingdom (348 A.D. - 550 A.D.), (iii) History of Magadha (31 B.C. - 340 A.D.) and Samudra Gupta's India, (iv) Southern India (150 A.D. - 350 AD.) and the unification of the North and South; and (v) the effects of Gupta Imperialism. The author tried to reconstruct the history of India of that `dark age.`

This reconstruction is based primarily on the Puranas, and has been executed in consequence thereof.

The author has disproved the claim of Dr. Vincent Smith.

Kashi Prasad Jayswal (b. 1871, d. 1937) M.A. (Oxon). Barrister-at-Law of Lincoln's Inn, Davis; Chinese scholar (Oxford University); Vidya-Mohodadhi, was a noted Indologist. As a revolutionary he was refused a job n Calcutta University. So he began practice law at Calcutta High Court but moved to Patna where he came under the infiluence of Dr. Rajendra Prasad and others and became an active Congress Member. His main field of activity was research in Indian History and Culture. One of his famous works is Hindu Polity.