History of Ancient India – I (Earliest times -6th Century B.C)

Paper Code: 
25HIS124(A)
Credits: 
05
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of Indian history from prehistoric times to the 6th century BC. Students will examine the intricate stages and processes shaping India's historical narrative during this period, distinguishing between civilization and culture. They'll analyze shifts in focus from the Indus to the Gangetic belt and newer areas, assessing how changes in polity, society, economy, and religion influenced these transitions. Through rigorous examination, students will gain a nuanced understanding of India's historical dynamics.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Outcome (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25IS 124 (A)

History of Ancient India – I (Earliest times -6th Century B.C)

 

CO19- Examine the Sources of Ancient Indian History from the beginning up to 6th Century B.C. 

CO20- Analyse Indus Saraswati Civilization; Origin, Extent and the main features, Trade and Commerce,art and Religion.

CO21-Evaluate the decline of the late Harrapan Cultures. And Iron age Cultures: Painted Grey Ware (PGW) Cultures.

CO22-Delineate Northern Black Polished Ware(NBP)Cultures

Megaliths.

CO23-Assess the Vedic Literature

Early and Later Vedic Cultures: polity, society, economy and religion.

CO24-Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

 

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Power Point Presentation

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation

Class discussions, quiz, Oral Presentation in class room,Class test, Semester End Examinations, Solving problems in tutorials, Class Assignment.

 

15.00
Unit I: 
Sources of Ancient Indian History

A study of the Sources of Ancient Indian History of India from the beginning upto 6th Century B.C. Inscriptions, coins, Literature, Greek writings etc.

Salient features of Paleolithic and Neolithic Cultures

 

15.00
Unit II: 
The Indus Saraswati Civilization

Origin, Extent and the main features-Town Planning, Craft Specialization, Trade and Commerce, Religious beliefs and Practices, Art.

 

15.00
Unit III: 
Iron Age Cultures

Decline of the late Harappan Cultures.

Iron age Cultures: Painted Grey Ware (PGW) Cultures

 

15.00
Unit IV: 
(NBP)Cultures

Northern Black Polished Ware(NBP)Cultures

Megaliths

 

Unit V: 
The Vedic Literature

The early and Later Vedic Cultures: polity, society, economy and religion.

The Vedic Saraswati river and evidence for its historicity.

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Singh, Upinder. A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the12th Century.New Delhi: Pearson, 2013.
  • Basham, A.L. The Wonder That Was India. New Delhi: Rupa & Co, 1967.
  • Chakrabarti, Dilip K. India: An Archaeological History- Palaeolithic Beginnings to Early Historic Foundations. Delhi: OUP, 1999.
  • Tripathi, R.S, History of Ancient India, Delhi, Motilal Banarasidass, 1992.
  • Majumdar R C. Ancient India, Motilal Banarsidass, 1964.,
  • H D Sankalia: Pre history and protohistory of India and Pakistan, Poona,1974
  • R.C. Majumdar & A.D.Pusalkar(ed.): The History and Culture of Indian People,
  • Volume I : The Vedic Age
  • H.C. Raychaudhary : Political History of Ancient India

 

References: 
  • Allchin, F.R. and B., Origins of a Civilization: The Prehistory and Early Archaeology of South Asia. New Delhi: Viking, 1997.
  • Chakravarti, Ranabir. Exploring Early India Upto C. AD 1300. New Delhi: MacMillan, 2010.
  • Chaudhary, Hemchandra Ray, Political History of Ancient India, Delhi, OUP, 1987.
  • Gregory. L. Possehl, The Indus Civilization, (A contemporary Perspective), New Delhi, Vistaar Publications, 2002.
  • Jain, V. K. Pre and Protohistory of India. New Delhi: D.K. Printworld, 2006.
  • Jha, D.N. Ancient India in Historical Outline. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers, revised and enlarged edition, 2009.
  • Jha, D.N. Early India: A Concise History. Delhi: Manohar, 2004.
  • Kosambi, D.D. An Introduction to the Study of Indian History. New Delhi: Popular Prakashan, 1975.
  • Ratnagar, Shereen. Understanding Harappa: Civilization in the Greater Indus Valley. New Delhi: Tulika, 2001.
  • Karsashima, Noboru ed. A Concise History of South India. New Delhi: OUP, 2014.
  • Majumdar R.C. etal, History and Culture of the Indian People, Vols, II, III, IV, V Mumbai, Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan Series, 1970, 1979, 1980.
  • Ray, H. P. Monastery and Guild: Commerce under the Satavahanas. New Delhi: OUP, 1986.
  • Sharma, R.S, Aspects of political Ideas and Institution in Ancient India, Delhi, Motilal Banarasidass, 1991, Revised Edition.
  • Smith V.A., Ashoka – The Buddhist Emperor of India, Arihant Publishers, Jaipur, 1988.
  • Sharma, R.S. Perspectives in Social and Economic History of Early India.New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 1995.
  • Thapar, Romila. Early India from the Origins to AD 1300. New Delhi: Penguin, 2002.
  • Thapar, Romila. Ashoka and the Decline of the Mauryas, third edition. New Delhi: OUP, 2012

E- Resources:

Sources of Ancient Indian History

 Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic cultures.

Indus Valley Civilization.

Vedic Culture

Theories about the Original home of the Aryans

 

Academic Year: 
2025-26
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