History of India, C. 300 to 1200 (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24CHIS 201
Credits: 
06
Contact Hours: 
90.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Objectives:

This course equips students with the skills to analyze and interpret patterns in Indian history, particularly in the realms of Politics, Religion, and Society. They will develop a deep understanding of Historical Causality, focusing on Political developments, Imperialism, and Monarchical governance during significant periods like the Gupta, Vardhana, and Rajput eras. Additionally, students will hone their ability to compare and contrast the societal, artistic, and cultural developments across these historical periods.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course Outcomes (CO)

 

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

24CHIS 201

History of India, c. 300 to 1200

CO7- Compare the political, social, and cultural development of the Gupta Empire with other contemporary Indian dynasties.

CO8- Assess the contribution of Harshvardhan to the political development of Vardhana dynasty.

 CO9- Examine the contribution of Rajput dynasties  to polity, society and culture in Northern India.

CO10- Assess the Tripartite Struggle and the development of society, politics, art, and religion in the Rajput period.

CO11- Appraise the development in Arts, Architecture and literature in pre-medieval India.

CO12-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, Giving tasks.

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

18.00
Unit I: 
The rise & growth of the Gupta dynasty

Administration, economy, society, religion, art, literature, science and technology during the Gupta period

Contemporary Political Powers

 

18.00
Unit II: 
Harsha & his Times

Harsha’s Kingdom, Polity, Society and Culture, Economy, Religion and Education.

                                       

 

18.00
Unit III: 
Emergence of Rajput states in Northern India

Origin of Rajputs important clans- Guhils, Parmaras and Chauhans.and Administration,

Socio-economic foundations- Society, Economy, religion , Art and Culture

 

18.00
Unit IV: 
Tripartite struggle

Rastrakutas, Palas and Pratiharas, Tripartite struggle

Economy; religious and cultural developments

 

18.00
Unit V: 
Towards the early Medieval India

Changes in society, polity, administration, economy and culture with special reference to Pallavas, Chalukayas and Cholas.

 

Essential Readings: 

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.,

 

References: 

Suggested Readings:

  • Asher, Catherine and Talbot, Cynthia. India before Europe. Cambridge: CUP, 2006.
  • Basham, A.L. The Origins and Development of Classical Hinduism. Delhi: OUP, 1991.
  • Chakrabarti, Dilip K. India: An Archaeological History: Palaeolithic Beginnings to EarlyHistoric Foundations. Delhi: OUP, 1991.
  • Chakrabarti, Ranabir. Exploring Early India Up to c. AD 1300. New Delhi: MacMillan,2010
  • Chakrabarti, Ranabir. Trade and Traders in Early India. New Delhi: Manohar, 2007.
  • Champakalakshmi, R. Trade, Ideology and Urbanisation: South India 300 BC - AD 1300.
  • New Delhi: OUP, 2010.
  • Chattopadhyaya, B.D. The Making of Early Medieval India. New Delhi: OUP, 1994.
  • Chopra. P.N., B.N. Puri, M.N. Das, A Socio Cultural and Economic History of India, Vol. I, McMillan India Ltd., 1974
  • Devahuti, D. Harsha: A Political Study. New Delhi: OUP, third edition, 1999.
  • Dutt, Sukumar. Buddhist Monks and Monasteries in India: Their History and Their Contribution to Indian Culture. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas Publishers, 1988.
  • Habib, M. and K. A. Nizami. A Comprehensive History of India, vol. 5. Delhi: People’s Publishing House, 1970.
  • Huntington, Susan. The Art of Ancient India: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain. New York, Weatherhill,1985.
  • Jha D.N. and Shrimali K.M. – Prachin Bharat Ka Itihas, Delhi, Hindi Directorate, 1990.
  • Karashima, 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)
  • .
  • Sharma, R. S. Indian Feudalism c. 300 - 1200 AD. Third edition. Macmillan, 2006. (In
  • Sharma, R. S. Early Medieval Society: A Study in Feudalization. Delhi: Orient Longman,
  • Thapar, Romila. Early India from the Origins to AD 1300. New Delhi: Penguin, 2002
  • Veluthat, Kesavan. The Political Structure of Early Medieval South India (second revised edition). Delhi: Orient Longman, 2012.

E-Resources  

Gupta Period –Rise of the Gupta dynasty

Samudragupta

Chandragupta II,

Skandgupta

Gupta administration and Land revenue system

Society, economy and religion during this period

Development of art, architecture, literature, philosophy , science and technology

Later Guptas

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

Rashtrakutas-

The Tripartite Struggle

Society , Polity ,Art & Religion during Rajputs period

Pallavas dynasty

Cholas dynasty

Chola Administration

 

 

Academic Year: 
2024-25
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