I.ANCIENT HISTORY
PRE HISTORIC PERIOD
• Periodization of Indian Pre History
• Sources of Pre History
• Palaeolithic age (old stone age): Period – 500,000 – 10,000 BCE;
• Mesolithic age (late stone age): Period – 10,000 – 6000 BCE;
• Neolithic age (new stone age): Period – 6000 – 1000 BCE.
• Chalcolithic Age
• Major Chalcolithic Cultures
• Early Iron Age
• Geographical Distribution and Characteristics
INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION
• IVC Geography and Archaeological Findings
– Major cities
– Town Planning
• IVC Society and Culture
– Script and Language
– Crafts
– Religions
– Seals and Images
• IVC Economy
– Harappan Trade
– Agriculture
– Domestication of animals
– Weights and Measures
• Decline of Harappan Culture
PRE VEDIC PERIOD
VEDIC PERIOD
LATER VEDIC PERIOD
JAINISM
• Birth and Life of Mahavira (540- 468 B.C.)
• Teachings of Mahavira
• Organisation and Sects of Jainism
• Literature of Jainism
• Councils, Spread and Royal Patrons
BUDDHISM
• Birth and Life of Buddha (563-483 BC)
• Teachings of Buddha
• Organisation and Sects of Buddhism
• Literature of Buddhism
• Councils, Spread of and Royal Patronage
• Causes for the Decline
MAHAJANAPADAS
• Republics and Monarchies
• 16 Mahajanapadas
• Magadha
• Key Dynasties
– Haryanka dynasty
– Shishunaga Dynasty
– Nanda Dynasty
• Persian Invasions
• Alexander’s Invasion
• Society and Rise of urban centres
• Economy
• System of Administration
MAURYAN EMPIRE
• Sources: Inscriptions and Sites and
Literary Sources (The Arthasastra)
• Rulers and Political History of the Mauryas
– Chandragupta and Bindusara
– Megasthenes
– Asoka and His Successors
• Asoka’s Inscriptions and Sites
• Asokan Reign
• Asoka and Buddhism
• Asoka Policy of Dhamma
• Mauryan Administration
• Foreign Relations
• Decline of the Mauryas
POST-MAURYAN INDIA
• Society: Evolution of Jatis
• Satavahanas
• Sungas and Kanvas
• Sakas
• Kushanas
• Kanishka
GUPTA PERIOD
• Sources of Gupta Rule
• Foreign Travellers Visit – Fahien’s Visit
• Gupta Administration
• Other Important Dynasties
• Society Religion and Culture
• Urban centres in Gupta period
• Economy
• Science and Technology
• Literature
• Later Guptas
• Other Important Dynasties
POST GUPTA PERIOD
HARSHAVARDHANA PERIOD
• Harsha Military Conquests
• Harsha and Buddhism
• Administration
• Society and Culture
• Economy
SANGAM PERIOD (SOUTH INDIAN DYNASTIES)
• Sangam Literature
• South Indian Dynasties
– Cholas
– Cheras
– Pandyas
• Sangam Polity, Society and Culture
• Economy of Sangam Period
• Foreign Dynasties
• Commercial Contacts with the Outside World
• Schools of Art