The paper on History of India-II is a core paper with five credits, and covers various themes of the history of India. It is undoubtedly, a significant phase in the course of ancient Indian history. It not only witnesses the transformations from tribal polity to the emergence of empires but also saw the changes and continuities in the religious traditions of India. The Brahamanic tradition faced the first philosophical challenge from the Upanishads which was followed by the rise of heterodox sects. The ideals of Shramana were institutionalized in the Brahamanical social structure with the concept of Ashrams of life. The period under discussion also underwent a change in the socio-economic structures of the society. To make a thorough understanding of economic relations between different stakeholders, urban expansion and impact of outside forces in changing the economic patterns of Indian society, form a key objective of this module. The period is an epoch-making one so far as the developments in Art, literature and Architecture are concerned. The emergence of new political powers from central Asia laid a profound impact on the literature and architecture as well. The cultural acculturation and emergence of new schools of art are remarkable. The course offers a first-hand information and understanding about the rich cultural heritage of our past. It will enable the students to have a thorough understanding of the different aspects of the Indian culture. It is very important for the students of history in particular and for all those who are papering for different kind of the civil service examinations.
Overview
Syllabus
Week-1: Agrarian and Non-Agrarian Economy
Expansion of Agrarian Economy: Production Relations
Agriculture Production and land revenue in south India and Deccan
Urban growth: North India, Central India and the Deccan; Craft Production: Trade and Trade Routes; Coinage
Trade and Urbanization during post-Mauryan period (North India)
Week-2: Non-Agrarian Economy and Social Structure
Trade and Urbanization in Peninsular India
Social Stratification: Class, Varna, Jati, Untouchability
Class, Kinship, Varna, and Caste
Gender, Family, and Household
Week-3: Social Change And Political Developments
North Indian and Deccan Social Transformations: Varna, Caste, and Gender
Beyond Varnas: Subordination and Conflict
Sources for the study of Mauryan period
Foundation and Expansion of Maurya Empire (325-185 BCE)
Week-4: Mauryan State
Administration under Mauryas
Asoka’s Dhamma
Decline of Mauryan Empire
Economy of the Mauryan period
Week-5: Central Asian Contacts
Post Mauryan India
Kushana’s
Post-Mauryan period: impact
Satvahana rule in India
Week-6: South Indian Economy
Agrarian Expansion and Land-grants
Agrarian Expansion and Land Grants: Impact
The Problem of Urban Decline: Patterns of Trade
The Problem of Urban Decline: Patterns of Trade
Week-7: Social Change
Varna
The New Social order: The Emergence of Jatis
Changing Norms of Marriage
Gupta Polity
Week-8: Post-Gupta Polities
Post-Gupta Polities
The Chalukyas of Badami
Dharma, Varnaashram
Purusharthas
Week-9: Social Institutions and Religious Developments
Samaskara-I
Samaskara-II
Mahayana Buddhism-I
Mahayana Buddhism-II
Week-10: Puranic Religious Traditions
Puranic Traditions-I
Puranic Traditions-II
Beginning of Tantricism
Shakitism
Week-11: Development in Language and Art
Sanskrit Language: Origin and Development
Languages of Pali, Prakrit and Tamil
Scientific Developments and Practical Treatises
Understanding Evolution of Indian art
Week-12: Development of Art
Different Schools of Art: Gandhara, Mathura and Amravati
Art and Architecture: Caves and Stupas
The Mauryan Art
Art under Guptas
Week-13: Change in Economic Structure and Development of Regional Art
Temple Architecture: 300-750 CE
Sculpture and Painting: Regional styles (up to circa 300 CE)
Guild System During Ancient India: Emergence and Growth
Guilds: Functions and Role
Development of Philosophy During Ancient India
Taught by
Dr. Younus Rashid
