Ancient History of India

 Ancient History of India

Prehistoric cultures in India

Indus Valley Civilization. Origins- the different phases- society, economy, and culture- Contacts with other cultures- factors lead to the decline.

Geographical distribution and characteristics of pastoral and farming society.

Vedic society-Vedic texts- change from Rigvedic to later Vedic phases.

Vedic society Religion- Upanishad thought-Political and social organisation, the evolution of the Varna system and monarchy.

Formation of the State and urbanisation, from the Mahajanapadas to the Nandas.

Buddhism and Jainism- Factors for the spread of Buddhism.

The Mauryan Empire- Chandragupta and Megasthenes.

Ashoka and his inscriptions, his dhamma, culture, administration, and art

Society of Post-Mauryan India, BC 200- AD 300- Evolution of Jatis.

The Satavahanas and formation of the state in the Peninsula.

Sangam texts and society.

Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, Kushans, Kanishka-Contacts with the outer world.

Different Religion- Bhagavatism, Shaivism, Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana, Jainism and Culture and art.

The Guptas and their descendants.

Literature Science, Arts, Economy, and society -Modification in the political organisation of empire.