Sources Of Ancient Indian History
Dear Student, Here we cover some history notes Sources Of Ancient Indian History for Odisha competitive Exam like OPSC, OSSC, OSSSC, CT, BED, OTET, OCS Exam.
Sources Of Ancient Indian History
1. Literary Sources: Vedic, Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, and other literature and foreign accounts.
2. Archaeological: epigraphic, numismatic, and architectural remains, archaeological explorations and excavations
❖ study of the development of scripts: paleography.
❖ study of inscriptions: epigraphy.
❖ study of coins: numismatics
❖ study of monuments, the material remains Archeology.
Indian Tradition of History Writing
Puranic Literature
➮ The Puranic literature is very vast. 18 main Puranas, 18 subsidiaries Puranas, and a large number of other books. According to the Puranas, the following are the subject matters of history :
➮ The two great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata may also be used as a source. It is generally held that there have been constant interpolations in these works.
Vedic Literature
➮ The Four Vedas: We cannot find much trace of political history in the Vedas, but can have reliable glimpses of the culture and civilization of the Vedic period.
Sutra
➮ Each Vedanga has developed credible literature around it which are in the sutra form i.e., precepts.
➮ This is a very precise and exact form of expression in prose that was developed by the ancient Indians.
Later Vedic Literature
Brahmanas elaborate on Vedic rituals Aranyakas give discourses on different spiritual and philosophical problems.
Upanishads — Sulvasutra prescribes measurements for sacrificial altars. Mark the beginning of the study of geometry and maths.
Srautasutra account of royal coronation ceremonies Grihyasutra domestic rituals with birth, naming, marriage, funeral, etc.
Jain and Buddhist Literature
literature written in notes Jain Prakrit was a form of Sanskrit language Buddhist Pali as the form of Prakrit language which was in vogue in Magadha/South Bihar. Ashokan edicts are also in this language.
Kautilya’s Arthashastra
➮ A book on statecraft was written in the Maurya period.
➮ The text is divided into 15 chapters known as books.
➮ Different books deal with different subject matter concerning polity, economy, and society.
➮ Mudrarakshusha, a play written by Vishakhadatta, also gives a glimpse of society and culture.
Notable writers
Kalidasa: Malavikagnimitram is based on some events of the reign of Pusyamitra Sunga, a dynasty that followed the Mauryas. Abhgyanshakuntalam: a glimpse of Guptas.
Bhasa and Sudraka: written plays based on historical events.
Banabhatta: Harshacharita throws light on many historical facts
Makati: wrote Gaudauaho, based on the exploits of Yasovarman of Kanauj
Vilhena: Vikramankadevachnrita describes the victories of the later Chalukya king Vikramaditya.
Kalhana: His book Rajatarangini.
