History of India from earliest times up to C.300 CE

Paper Code:

CHIS 101

Credits:

6

Contact Hours:

90.00

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 Outcomes (CO)

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Course Title

CHIS 101

History of India from earliest times up to C.300 CE

The students will be able to -

CO1-Understand the importance of sources for the study of Ancient Indian History and Understand the concept of Pre-History, Proto History and History CO2- Discuss the characteristic features and legacy the Harappan Civilization

CO3-Comprehend knowledge on the processes of change and continuity from the pre-historic phase till the fourth century CE.

CO4- Assess the rise of the Magadha Empire, Political and cultural developments during the time of Ashoka, Dhamma , Maurya administration, economy and culture.

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

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

Sources of Ancient India: Survey of Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic cultures.

18.00

Harappan Civilization: origin, extent; urban features – town planning, economy, society and religion; decline. Chalcolithic cultures

18.00

Vedic Culture: polity, economy, society and religion., Emergence of Mahajanapadas, Jainism and Buddhism: Causes, Doctrines, Spread, Decline and Contributions

18.00

Emergence and growth of the Magadha Empire, The Mauryan empire: state and administration, economy, Ashoka’s Dhamma, art and architecture

18.00

Post Mauryan Age with special reference to Shunga, Satavahanas and Kushanas: polity, economy, society, art

Essential Readings:

Allchin, F.R. and B., Origins of a Civilization: The Prehistory and Early Archaeology of South Asia. New Delhi: Viking, 1997.
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.
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.

Singh, Upinder. A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the12th Century.New Delhi: Pearson, 2013.
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.