Sources for the Study of Ancient India

Subject - Historical Construction and Nature of Sources

1. Main Books: R S Sharma's book 'Ancient India'

   • Study of Ancient India
   • Can also refer to NCERT

2. Important Questions: Importance of coins and inscriptions

   • UPSC question
   • On the Gupta period) - How was the study of history and society conducted?

Importance of Various Sources

1. Material Source (Archaeological Source)

   • Excavations: Pottery, bangles, houses, bones, tombs
   • Two parts: where writing is found (history), and where it is not: pre-history (Lithic Ages)
   • Indus Valley Civilization and Proto-History
   • Archaeological evidence is reliable, tangible
   • Carbon dating: Use of C14
   • Pollen analysis: Domestication of plants and animals
   • Metal chemical analysis
   • Importance of climate, soil, biology

2. Numismatics (Coin Science)

   • Historical evidence of coins
   • Metal (copper, silver, gold)
   • Old types of coins: Punch-marked, Mauryan coins
   • Unit system, guild minting system
   • Coins of kings and emperors: Emperor Gupta
   • Information about society, economy, administration and technology

3. Inscriptions

   • Orders of the king, society, religion, governance, donations, and land information
   • Major inscriptions: Ashoka's edicts, Prayag prashasti
   • Epigraphy and paleography
   • Stone inscriptions, copper plates, bricks, walls: pillar inscriptions
   • Information about historical events

Literary Sources

1. Vedic Literature

   • Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda
   • Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads
   • Vedanga: Shiksha, Kalpa, Grammar (Panini's Ashtadhyayi, Patanjali's Mahabhashya)
   • Shrouta Sutras, Grihya Sutras, Sulva Sutras

2. Buddhist and Jain Literature

   • Buddhist texts: Tripitaka (Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka)
   • Jataka tales
   • Jain texts: Angas, Upangas, Kalika Sutra, Kalpasutra

3. Secular Literature

   • Dharmasutras, Smritis, Arthashastra
   • Sangam literature: Collection of Tamil Nadu poet conventions
   • Gupta period literature: Works of Kalidasa

4. Foreign Accounts

   • Descriptions by Greek and Roman writers
   • Megasthenes, Fa-Hien, Hiuen-Tsang
   • Accounts of foreign travelers, perspective on India

Historical Understanding

1. Context on Timeline

   • Vikram Samvat, Shaka Samvat

2. Puranas

   • Encyclopedia: Genealogy, Treta, Dvapara, Kali Yuga

3. Jain and Buddhist History

   • Writings in Prakrit, Pali language

Conclusion:

• Historical information is revised
• A mix of various sources is necessary
• Combined study of archaeology, biology, letters, coins, inscriptions

Inclusion of all sources is essential to build a strong historical understanding.