History of Ancient India – I

Paper Code:

HIS 101

Credits:

3

Contact Hours:

45.00

Max. Marks:

100.00

Objective:

Course Objectives:

This course will enable the students -

To find the patterns, evolution and sources of Ancient Indian Civilizations like Indus Valley and Vedic Civilization.
To comprehend the historical developments and changes in Ancient India in religion and society.
To provide the explanation of historical causality-the how and why the change occurs within Ancient Indian societies and cultures along with the political developments, imperialism and monarchical pattern of governance .

Course

Learning outcome (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

HIS 101

History of Ancient India - I

The students will be able -

CO1-To understand the importance of sources for the study of Ancient Indian History and Indus Valley Civilization.

CO2- To acquaint with the cultural development during the early Vedic to Later Vedic age.

CO 3- To learn about the rise of the Magadha Empire after sixteen Janapadas,the downfall of the Magadhan empire in ancient India.

CO4- To understand the political and cultural developments during the time of Ashoka, his concept of Dhamma , Maurya administration, economy and culture.

CO5- To acquire knowledge about the Post-Mauryan Politics with special reference to the Sungas and Satvahanas

Class room lectures
Discussion
Tutorials
Reading assignments
Documentary Screening
Power Point Presentation

Class test, Semester End Examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Class Assignment, Presentation, Individual and group projects

9.00

Sources of Ancient Indian History-Archaeology, Literary sources, Numismatics, Accounts of foreign travelers & writers.

Indus Valley Civilization.

11.00

Vedic Culture-Vedic literature, Theories about the Original home of the Aryans, social & political organizations, economic & religious life.

Jainism & Buddhism –causes of origin.

Mahajanpadas

8.00

Rise of Magadha

The Mauryan Empire-Sources, Chandragupta Maurya, Bimbisara.

Megasthenese’s Account.

9.00

Ashoka-Early career & conquests, the concept of Dhamma

Mauryan Administration, Mauryan Art & Architecture, Downfall of Mauryan Empire.

The Shungas-Pushyamitra Shunga & his achievements

8.00

The Satvahanas-Gautmiputra Shatkarni

Kushanas-early Kushanas, Kanishka & his association with Buddhism, Art, learning and other achievements.

Essential Readings:

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:

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.
Gregory. L. Possehl, The Indus Civilization, (A contemporary Perspective), New Delhi, Vistaar Publications, 2002.
Smith V.A., Ashoka – The Buddhist Emperor of India, Arihant Publishers, Jaipur, 1988.
Hemchandra Ray Chaudhary, Political History of Ancient India, Delhi, OUP, 1987.