Short Notes - Sources of Ancient Indian History
Category : UPSC
Sources of ancient Indian History
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- Pliocene deposits in Siwaliks. It came to be known as Ramapitheus, a type of early hominid.
- Inscriptions either on stone or on metal plates are old records of Ancient India. The study of inscriptions is called epigraphy.
- Coins: The study of coins is called numismatics.
- The Punch Mark Coins (silver & copper) are the earliest coins of India.
- Monuments: Monuments reflect the material prosperity and development of culture e.g. Taxshila monuments about Kushans and Stupas, Chaityas and Vihars about Maurya.
- Vedas: Vedas point out features and development of different dynasties, e.g. Rigveda deals about Archery and known as "The first testament of mankind."
- Samveda says about the art of music (i.e. melodies)
- Yajurveda: It is known as ritual Veda.
- Atharvaveda: It is the latest of the four. It is about beliefs and superstitions.
- Upanishad: It is anti-ritualistic in nature. It deals about the theories of creation of the universe and doctrine of action.
Sutras: Sutras deal about rituals, Sanskaras, social life, Medical science etc.
Puranas; Puranas describe the genealogies of various royal dynasties, i.e. Maurya, Andhra, Shishunag, Gupta, etc.
- Jatak Kathas: These are the parts of art and literature of 3rd century B.C.
- Arthashastra: It is the analysis of political and economic conditions of the Mauryas, composed by Kautily (Chanakya).
- Mudrarakshasa: It tells about the establishment of the Maurya dynasty, the fall of Nanda, Ramgupta, etc.
- Rajtarangini: It was written by Kalhana in 12th century A.D. It is about the rulers of Kashmir. It is considered the, "first historical book of India"
- Foreign travellers: wrote about the information of India. For examples -
Megasthenes: He wrote book, "INDICA" about the dynasty of Maurya.
Fahien: He wrote about the Gupta Emperor.
Hieun-Tsang: He wrote about the Buddhist record of the western world during period of Harshavardhan.
Albiruni: He wrote ' Tarikh-ul-Hind.'
Ibna-Batuta: He wrote about India under the rule of Muhammad Tughlaq.
