Study of this paper will enable the students to find the patterns and establish its meanings and comprehend the historical developments and changes in India in Politics, Religion and Society. The Explanation of Historical casuality-the how and why the change occurs within Ancient Indian Societies and Cultures along with the Political developments, Imperialism and Monarchical pattern of governance through a study of the political institutions and dynasties like the Gupta, Vardhana, Rajput etc. shall be taken up. Along with this development in society art and culture shall also be dealt.
Gupta Period –Rise of the Gupta dynasty, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Skandgupta and their political achievements.
Gupta administration and Land revenue system.
Society, economy and religion during this period.
Development of art, architecture, literature, philosophy , science and technology.
Later Guptas and the decline of the Guptas.
Formation and expansion of the Vardhana Empire.
Conquests and administration of Harsha.
Religion, Education at the time of Vardhana Dynasty
Accounts of Hieun –Tsang.
Palas ,Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas- The Tripartite Struggle.
Society , Polity ,Art & Religion during this period.
Fall of the Rajputs.
Pallavas andCholas. Political achievements of the Chola rulers,
Features of Chola Administration, Development of art, architecture and literature.
Essential Reading:
· Majumdar R.C. – Ancient India
· R.S. Tripathi – History of Ancient India, Delhi, Motilal Banarasidass, 1992.
· Krishna Gopal Sharma, Kamal Nayan etc. – Prachin Bharat Ka Itihas (Hindi)
· Romilla Thapar – A History of India, Vol., I, Pelican, 1966, Penguin, Harmondsworth
References:
· Basham, A.L. The wonder that was India, Mumbai, Rupa 1971.
· Chakrabarti, D.K., India: An Archaeological History, Paleolithic beginning to Early Historical Foundation, Delhi; OUP, 1999.
· Comprehensive History of India Vol. II, 1957, III, Orient Longman, 1952; IV, Delhi PPH, 1992.
· Jha D.N. and Shrimali K.M. – Prachin Bharat Ka Itihas, Delhi, Hindi Directorate, 1990.
· R.S. Sharma, Aspects of political Ideas and Institution in Ancient India, Delhi, Motilal Banarasidass, 1991, Revised Edition.
· P.L. Gautam and Kamlesh Sharma: Prachin Bharat, Prarambh se 1200 tak.
· Nilkantha Shastri K.A., A History of South India from Pre-historic times to the Fall of Vijaynagar, Chennai, OUP, 1983.
· Majumdar R.C. etal, History and Culture of the Indian People, Vols, II, III, IV, V Mumbai, Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan Series, 1970, 1979, 1980)
· Hemchandra Ray Chaudhary, Political History of Ancient India, Delhi, OUP, 1987.
· P.N. Chopra, B.N. Puri, M.N. Das, A Socio Cultural and Economic History of India, Vol. I, McMillan India Ltd., 1974.