Sources of Ancient Indian History

The sources of ancient Indian history are diverse and rich. Among them, epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayana provide us with valuable insights into early society and culture. These epics not only depict heroic war scenes, but also reflect the social structure, values, and religious beliefs of the time. Inscriptions and inscriptions are also important sources of history, recording the rule, wars, and achievements of ancient emperors. Archaeological discoveries also provide us with physical evidence, such as architectural relics, sculptures, and artworks, showcasing the prosperity and diversity of ancient Indian civilization. These sources together constitute an important foundation for our understanding of ancient Indian history. This is a mind map about Sources of Ancient Indian History. The map contains two main branches, namely Archaeological sources and Literary sources. Each main branch has detailed descriptions of multiple sub branches. Suitable for people interested in the Sources of Incident Indian History.

Edited at 2024-02-05 11:48:54

Amibh Ranjan Tiwary

Recent works View more works>>

Sources of Ancient Indian History
The sources of ancient Indian history are diverse and rich. Among them, epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayana provide us with valuable insights into early society and culture. These epics not only depict heroic war scenes, but also reflect the social structure, values, and religious beliefs of the time. Inscriptions and inscriptions are also important sources of history, recording the rule, wars, and achievements of ancient emperors. Archaeological discoveries also provide us with physical evidence, such as architectural relics, sculptures, and artworks, showcasing the prosperity and diversity of ancient Indian civilization. These sources together constitute an important foundation for our understanding of ancient Indian history. This is a mind map about Sources of Ancient Indian History. The map contains two main branches, namely Archaeological sources and Literary sources. Each main branch has detailed descriptions of multiple sub branches. Suitable for people interested in the Sources of Incident Indian History.

Sources of Ancient Indian History

Amibh Ranjan Tiwary

Recent works View more works>>

Sources of Ancient Indian History
The sources of ancient Indian history are diverse and rich. Among them, epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayana provide us with valuable insights into early society and culture. These epics not only depict heroic war scenes, but also reflect the social structure, values, and religious beliefs of the time. Inscriptions and inscriptions are also important sources of history, recording the rule, wars, and achievements of ancient emperors. Archaeological discoveries also provide us with physical evidence, such as architectural relics, sculptures, and artworks, showcasing the prosperity and diversity of ancient Indian civilization. These sources together constitute an important foundation for our understanding of ancient Indian history. This is a mind map about Sources of Ancient Indian History. The map contains two main branches, namely Archaeological sources and Literary sources. Each main branch has detailed descriptions of multiple sub branches. Suitable for people interested in the Sources of Incident Indian History.

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Sources of Ancient Indian History

Literary sources

Religious- 1)Vedic literature: Information about socio-political and economic life of Aryans. 2)Puranas: Total 18 giving genealogical records of rulers. 3) Mahabharata: Oldest epic reflecting state of affair from 10th century B.C. to 4th century A.D. 4)- Ramayana- composed later than Mahabharata, orginially 2400 verses later raised to 24000 verses.

Secular literature- Dharmsutras compiled in 500- 200 B.C. describes duties of different varnas. Arthashastra ( Kautilya) rich material for the study of ancient Indian polity and economy. Others- Harshacharita- Banabhatta, Ramacharita- Sandhyakara Nandi, Vikramdevacharita- Bilhana and Rajatarangini- Kalhana

Foreign Accounts- 1) Greek and Roman: Indika by Megasthenes gives information about Mauryan administration and social and cultural life during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. Periplus of Erythrean sea by unknown author and Ptolemy's Geography- ancient geography and commerce. 2)- Chinese sources- Fa-Hien (5th century AD) - socio-economic life during the age of Guptas, Hiuen Tsang (7th century AD)- socio-economic life during reign of Harsha. 3) Arab sources- Earliest Arab writer Sulaiman (Silsilat ut Tawarikh) and Al- Masaudi ( Muruj-ul- Zahab). Al Biruni (Contemporary of Mahmud Gazni) wrote- Tahqiq-i- Hind

Archaeological sources

Material resources: Depicts layout, plan of settlement, tools, ceramics, use of iron started around 3000 years ago, Megalith- south Indian culture after post-iron age

Pottery- 1) Red and Blackware pottery- Harappan Civilisation, 2) Painted Grey Ware- Vedic age

Coins- study of coins- numismatics, earliest coin- punchmarked, coin moulds (blades of burnt clay)- Kushana dynasty, largest number of coin-post-maurya age, largest number of gold coins- gupta age

Inscriptions- study of inscriptions- Epigraphy, carved out on seals, stone pillars, rocks, copper plates. Earliest- Harappan (not deciphered), oldest deciphered- Brahmi script engraved by Ashoka (by James Princep in 1837). Language used- earliest Prakrit (3rd century B.C.), Brahmi- eastern and central India, Kharosthi- North-western part, Greek and Aramaic script- Ashokan inscriptions in Afghanistan

Important ancient Inscriptions 1.Uttamerur (Tamilnadu)- Self-governance during Chola Empire. 2)Eran ( Madhya Pradesh)- Earliest evidence of Sati. 3)Besnagar ( Madhya Pradesh)- By Greek ambassdor Heliodorous 4) Junagarh ( Gujarat)- First pure sanskrit inscription by Rudraman of Saka dynasty 5) Aihole (Karnataka)- Eulogy of Chalukyan king Pulakeshin 6) Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh)- Eulogy of Gupta king Samudragupta