This book evolved out of some one hundred lectures given by twenty
experts at a special instructional conference sponsored by the
University Grants Commis- sion, India. It is pedagogical in style and
self-contained in several interrelated areas of physics which have
become extremely important in present-day theoretical research. The
articles begin with an introduction to general relativity and cosmology
as well as particle physics and quantum field theory. This is followed
by reviews of the standard gauge models of high-energy physics,
renormalization group and grand unified theories. The concluding parts
of the book comprise discussions in current research topics such as
problems of the early universe, quantum cosmology and the new directions
towards a unification of gravitation with other forces. In addition,
special concise treatments of mathematical topics of direct relevance
are also included. The content of the book was carefully worked out for
the mutual education of students and research workers in general
relativity and particle physics. This ambitious programe consequently
necessitated the involvement of a number of different authors. However,
care has been taken to ensure that the material meshes into a unified,
cogent and readable book. We hope that the book will serve to initiate
and guide a student in these different areas of investigation starting
from first principles and leading to the exciting current research
problems of an interdisciplinary nature in the context of the origin and
structure of the universe.
