Indian History - Ancient India
Description
This subject builds foundational knowledge on the civilizations and events of Ancient India, critical for understanding India’s early developments and legacy in polity, society, economy, religion, and culture.
Learning Objectives
Learners will be able to recall, explain, and analyze the salient features, developments, and personalities of Ancient Indian history and connect these to contemporary Indian society, polity, and culture.
Topics (15)
Covers geographical spread, town planning, social and economic organization, script, art & crafts, trade activities, decline and heritage of Harappan Civilization.
Early and Later Vedic periods, Vedic literature, religious practices, society, political institutions, economic life, significant shifts from Rigvedic to Later Vedic times.
Chandragupta Maurya's rise, Bindusara, Ashoka's reign, Mauryan administration, revenue and economy, art and architecture, foreign relations, Ashoka’s Dhamma and inscriptions, reasons for decline.
Political consolidation, administration, social structure, economy, religious developments, mathematical and scientific advances, literature, art, temple architecture, decline of empire.
Regional kingdoms (e.g., Harsha’s Empire, Vakatakas, Pallavas, Chalukyas), social, economic, religious and political transitions.
Origin, expansion, administration, contributions, art, literature, economy and decline of major dynasties.
Teachings, key figures (Gautama Buddha, Mahavira), schisms, councils, social and cultural impact, decline and legacy.
Harappan town planning, Mauryan pillars, Buddhist Stupas, Gupta temples, Ajanta/Ellora caves, regional variation.
Vedas, Upanishads, Epics (Mahabharata, Ramayana), Buddhist and Jain texts, Sanskrit and Prakrit literature, Sangam literature.
Styles and traditions in Harappan, Mauryan, Gupta art forms, performing arts, music, drama, dance.
Urban centers, agricultural and craft production, trade routes, foreign trade (especially Roman and SE Asia), coinage and currency systems.
Janapadas and Mahajanapadas, Republics and Monarchies, Mauryan bureaucracy, Asoka’s dhamma, Gupta administration.
Evolution of social structure in Vedic and later Hindu society, varna and jati distinctions, impact of Buddhism/Jainism, gender roles.
Core tenets and themes of Vedas, Upanishads, Buddhist Tripitakas, Jain Agamas, impact and historical spread.
Importance of archaeology, epigraphy and numismatics, main literary sources; interpretation and limitations.