Ancient Indian History(Quick Revision)

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Pre-Harappan Period

Ancient Books & Authors

Famous Inscriptions

Administrative Units & Their Ancient Names

Jargon of Ancient Period

Miscellaneous Facts:

1. The Sangama literature [0-400AD] consists of 30,000 lines of poetry divided into two main groups, Patinenkilkanakku (older) & Pattupattu (newer). Established by Pandyan kings of Tamil region.

2. The credit to complete the chart of Ashokan alphabets goes to James Prinsep.

3. Most of the modern scripts of India including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Nagari, Gujarati, Bangla have developed from Brahmi script. Ashokan inscription of Shahbazgari & Manashera are written in Kharoshthi.

4. The earliest coins were punch marked silver & copper coins. They bear only symbol & no inscription or legend. Kushanas (Vima Kadphises – figure of Siva standing beside a bull) issued mostly gold coins.

5. Buddha did not visit Taxila in his life.

6. Some of the important rock painting sites are Murhana Pahar (U.P), Bhimbetka, Adamgarh, Lakha Juar (M.P.) & Kapagallu (Karnatka).

7. The extent of Indus Valley Civilization was Sutkagendor (Baluchistan), Alamgirpur (Meerut), Daimabad (N. Maharashtra) & Manda (J & K). Harrapan civilization is often referred to as Bronze Age civilization. No unambiguous depiction of horse found on any seal. The largest number of seals depict unicorn.

8. Inscription was from right to left but if more than one line than alternated to left to right & vice versa.

9. Yoga was in vogue in Indus civilization. Shiva, Mother goddess, trees, linga, yoni were worshiped. Chanhudaro is the only city without a citadel & Surkotada is the only site where the actual remains of a horse have been found.

10. Decline of Harrapa: Wheeler (Barbarian Aryans attack), John Marshall (Environment degradation).

11. The Nadisukta hymn of Rig Veda mentions 21 rivers which include Ganga in the east & the Kubha (Kabul) in the west. Saraswati is considered to be the most important. Zero was known in rig vedic times

12. In the vedic age the varnas were not rigid but they became so in the Later Vedic Period & became birth based rather than profession based. Untouchability had not yet reared its ugly head. Jati had not become a rigid system. Bali which was a voluntary gift to chief earlier became a regular tax in the later vedic age.

13. Moksha can be acquired by Gyan, Bhakti & Karma. Four dynasties stand out prominently in the sixth century B.C are Haryankas of Magadha, Ishvakus of Kosala, the Pauravas of Vatsa & the Pradyotas of Avanti.

14. During the time of Ashoka, Pataliputra was administered by a city council of 30 members divided into a board of 5 members each. Sales tax on goods was 10 %. The Ashokan Pilar with Lion Capital is located at Lauriya Nandangarh, Pillar capital from Rampurva & Capital from Sarnath. Seven rock cut chaitya

caves in the Barabar & Nagarjuni hill show that the tradition of rock cut caves in India began with the

Mauryas.

15. The indo-Greeks were the first whose coins carried the portraits of kings & their names. Also they were the first rulers to issue gold coins.

16. In the south the old phase is known as the megalithic phase with the burials being marked by abundance of iron tools & a Black & red pottery. It appears there was an abrupt change from Neolithic to iron age, without any significant Chalcolithic or Bronze age.

17. Anuloma (marriage between male of higher varna& female of lower varna) was considered better than Pratiloma (vv). Grihasta ashram had the duties of yajna, adhyayana &dana.

18. Hinayana was the old order. Mahayana introduced concept of Bodhisttavas, worship of Buddha as god (Hinayanists considered him just a great teacher), salvation of all beings, Sanskrit as new language. The development of Mahayana philosophy is ascribed to Nagarjuna who propounded Madhyamika school of Buddhist philosophy popularly known as Sunyavada.

19. The Mathura & Gandhara schools of art flourished during Kushana period. Mathura school had the distinction of producing the first image of Buddha & Gandhara school was a hybrid of Indo-Greek form.

20. The Stupas as Sanchi, Sarnatha, Amaravati, Bharhut are the best examples. I-tsing came to India in 7^th century after spending several years in Sumatra & Sri Vijaya Learning Buddhism.

21. In south India, among the Nayannar saints, Tirumular’s Tirmurais are prominent. Saiva saints (Nayannars) were 63 in number. Lingayat (founded by Basava – Kalachuri) was other important sect of Saivism in south India influenced by both Sankara & Ramanuja. Vaishnave saints known as Alvars are traditionally 12 in number. Collection of their work is known as Nalayiraprabandham.

22. The first Jaina council was held at Pataliputra by Sthulabahu in the beginning of third century BC & resulted in compilation of 12 Angas to replace the lost 14 Purvas. In the sixth century A.D. the second Jaina council was held at Valabhi under Devaradhi Kshamasramana & Jain canon was defined.

23. The avatars of Vishnu are matsya, kurma (tortoise), varah (boar), narasimha, vaman (dwarf), parasurama, rama, Krishna, Buddha (the enlightened one) & kalki (to appear).

24. West Bengal was known as Gauda & East Bengal as Vanga. Utkala (Orissa), Pragjotishpur (Assam).

25. The king of Suvarnadwipa (modern Malaya), Balaputradeva erected a monastery at Nalanda & requested Devapala to donate five villages for the maintenance.

26. The philosophy of Sankaracharya (Adi Sankara) is known as Advaita meaning ‘non dual’. He believed that absolute reality called ‘Brahma’ is non dual. Jyotirmatha at Badrinath, Sharadapitha at Dwakra,

Govardhanamatha at Puri & Shringerimatha in south. He organized Ascetics in ten orders – Giri, Puri (city), Bharati (learning), Vana (wood), Aranya (forest), Parvata, Sagara, Tirtha, Ashrama& Saraswati.

27. Angkorvat temple dedicated to Vishnu & the famous Borobudur stupa in Java. The Sailendra dynasty ruled over SE Asia & followed Mahayana Buddhism.

28. Eastern King (Samrat), Western King (Suvrat), Northern king (Virat), Southern King (Bhoja). After partition of India the largest number of Harappan settlements have been found in Gujarat.

29. The utensils of the Harappan people were made of clay. Lead was not known to the Indus valley people. The Aryans came from Central Asia is widely accepted. The Vedic Aryans first settled in the region of Sapta Sindhu.

30. The Gayatri Mantra is addressed to Savitri (associated with sun god). Two highest gods in the Vedic religion were Indra (war god) & Varuna (ocean god). Division of vedic Society The oldest mention of Varna System (four classes) is in the Purusha sukta of Rigveda. The dasas & dasyus mentioned in the Rig Veda refer to non-Aryans.

31. The Hindu social sacraments such as marriage are performed on the basis of ritual described in the Grihyasutras. The symbols associated with the five great events of the Buddha are birth (lotus & lion), great renunciation (horse), attainment of knowledge (banyan tree), first sermon (wheel), death (stupa & foot prints). According to Buddha the cause of all sorrows is Trishna (attachment).

32. Vinayak Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka contain teachings of the Buddha. Jatakas are stories of Buddhas previous life. Outside India, Buddhism was first accepted in Sri Lanka.

33. The Mauryan sculptors had gained highest perfection in the carving of Pillars & the most striking feature is their polish. Two great Buddhist stupas rebuilt during the Sunga (were Brahmanas) Period were Dhammekh stupa at Sarnath & the stupa at Sanghot.

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Ancient Indian history is a vast and complex subject, covering a period of over 5,000 years. The Indus Valley Civilization, the Vedic Period, The Mahajanapadas, the Mauryan Empire, The Gupta Empire, the Post-Gupta Period, the Early Medieval Period, the Late Medieval Period, the Mughal Empire, the British Raj, and Indian Independence are all important eras in Indian history.

The Indus Valley Civilization was a Bronze Age civilization that flourished in the Indus River valley from 3300 to 1300 BCE. It was one of the earliest urban civilizations in the world, and its cities were well-planned and well-organized. The Indus Valley people were skilled in agriculture, metalworking, and pottery. They also had a complex system of writing, which has not yet been deciphered.

The Vedic Period was a time of great religious and Cultural Development in India. It began around 1500 BCE and lasted until around 500 BCE. During this time, the Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, were composed. The Vedic people were also skilled in warfare and horsemanship.

The Mahajanapadas were a group of 16 powerful kingdoms that emerged in India around 600 BCE. These kingdoms were constantly at war with each other, and this period of time is known as the “Age of War.” The Mahajanapadas were eventually conquered by the Mauryan Empire in the 4th century BCE.

The Mauryan Empire was the largest and most powerful empire in Indian history. It was founded by Chandragupta Maurya in the 4th century BCE and lasted until the 2nd century BCE. The Mauryan Empire was a centralized state with a strong Bureaucracy. It was also a tolerant empire that allowed religious freedom.

The Gupta Empire was a golden age in Indian history. It was founded by Chandragupta I in the 4th century CE and lasted until the 6th century CE. The Gupta Empire was a time of great economic prosperity and cultural development. It was also a time of great scientific and technological advancement.

The Post-Gupta Period was a time of political instability and decline in India. It began in the 6th century CE and lasted until the 10th century CE. During this time, India was divided into many small kingdoms. The Post-Gupta Period was also a time of religious and cultural change.

The Early Medieval Period was a time of revival and consolidation in India. It began in the 10th century CE and lasted until the 13th century CE. During this time, several powerful dynasties emerged, including the Chola dynasty, the Pandya dynasty, and the Vijayanagara Empire. The Early Medieval Period was also a time of great religious and cultural development.

The Late Medieval Period was a time of political and economic decline in India. It began in the 13th century CE and lasted until the 16th century CE. During this time, India was invaded by several foreign powers, including the Turks, the Afghans, and the Mughals. The Late Medieval Period was also a time of religious and cultural change.

The Mughal Empire was a Muslim empire that ruled over most of India from the 16th to the 18th centuries. It was founded by Babur in 1526 and reached its peak under the rule of Akbar the Great in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Mughal Empire was a time of great cultural and artistic achievement.

The British Raj was a period of British rule in India that lasted from 1858 to 1947. During this time, India was a colony of the British Empire. The British Raj was a time of great economic and Social Change in India. It was also a time of great political and cultural conflict.

Indian Independence was achieved in 1947, after a long and bloody struggle. The Indian subcontinent was partitioned into two independent countries, India and Pakistan. The independence of India was a momentous event in world history. It marked the end of British colonialism in India and the beginning of a new era in Indian history.

Post-Independence India has been a time of great progress and development. India is now a major world power, with a strong economy and a vibrant Democracy. It is also a country with a rich and diverse culture.

1. What are the major periods of ancient Indian history?

Ancient Indian history is divided into the following periods:

• The Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1900 BCE)
• The Vedic period (1500-500 BCE)
• The Mahajanapada period (600-321 BCE)
• The Mauryan Empire (321-185 BCE)
• The Gupta Empire (320-550 CE)
• The Post-Gupta period (550-1200 CE)
• The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 CE)
• The Mughal Empire (1526-1857 CE)

2. What are some of the major achievements of ancient Indian civilization?

Ancient Indian civilization made significant contributions to many fields, including:

• Mathematics: The ancient Indians developed the decimal system, the concept of zero, and the basic rules of algebra.
• Astronomy: The ancient Indians developed accurate calendars and made significant observations of the stars and planets.
• Medicine: The ancient Indians developed a system of medicine that is still practiced today.
• Literature: The ancient Indians produced a rich body of literature, including the Vedas, the Upanishads, and The Mahabharata.
• Art: The ancient Indians produced beautiful works of art, including sculptures, paintings, and architecture.

3. What were some of the challenges faced by ancient Indian civilization?

Ancient Indian civilization faced a number of challenges, including:

• Droughts and floods: The ancient Indian subcontinent is prone to droughts and floods, which can cause widespread damage and loss of life.
• Invasions: The ancient Indian subcontinent was invaded by a number of foreign powers, including the Greeks, the Persians, and the Arabs.
• Internal conflict: The ancient Indian subcontinent was also plagued by internal conflict, including wars between different kingdoms and empires.

4. What is the legacy of ancient Indian civilization?

Ancient Indian civilization has left a rich legacy that continues to influence the world today. This legacy includes:

• The Hindu religion: Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions and is still practiced by millions of people around the world.
• The Buddhist religion: Buddhism is another major world religion that originated in ancient India.
• The Indian caste system: The Indian caste system is a social hierarchy that has been in place for centuries.
• The Indian languages: The Indian subcontinent is home to a number of different languages, including Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil.
• The Indian art and architecture: Indian art and architecture is some of the most beautiful and impressive in the world.
• The Indian cuisine: Indian cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines in the world.

5. What are some of the current issues facing India?

India is a country with a Population of over 1.3 billion people. It is a diverse country with a rich history and culture. However, India also faces a number of challenges, including:

• POVERTY: Over 20% of the Indian population lives below the Poverty Line.
• Illiteracy: Over 30% of the Indian population is illiterate.
• Corruption: Corruption is a major problem in India.
• Terrorism: India is facing a number of terrorist threats.
• Climate change: India is one of the countries that is most vulnerable to the effects of Climate Change.

Despite these challenges, India is a country with a bright future. It is a rapidly growing economy and is a major player on the world stage.

1. The Indus Valley Civilization was located in:
(A) India
(B) Pakistan
(C) Afghanistan
(D) Iran

2. The Indus Valley Civilization was a:
(A) Bronze Age civilization
(B) Iron Age civilization
(C) Stone Age civilization
(D) Copper Age civilization

3. The Indus Valley Civilization was known for its:
(A) advanced urban planning
(B) sophisticated writing system
(C) large-scale Irrigation system
(D) all of the above

4. The Indus Valley Civilization declined around:
(A) 1900 BCE
(B) 1500 BCE
(C) 1200 BCE
(D) 1000 BCE

5. The Aryans were a group of people who migrated to India from:
(A) Central Asia
(B) Europe
(C) Africa
(D) China

6. The Aryans brought with them the:
(A) Vedas
(B) Upanishads
(C) Mahabharata
(D) Ramayana

7. The Aryans divided society into four varnas:
(A) Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras
(B) Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras
(C) Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Untouchables
(D) Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Merchants

8. The Mauryan Empire was founded by:
(A) Chandragupta Maurya
(B) Ashoka the Great
(C) Kanishka
(D) Harshavardhana

9. The Mauryan Empire was the largest empire in Indian history, covering most of the Indian subcontinent.
(A) True
(B) False

10. The Mauryan Empire was known for its:
(A) strong military
(B) efficient administration
(C) religious Tolerance
(D) all of the above

11. The Gupta Empire was a golden age in Indian history, known for its:
(A) economic prosperity
(B) cultural achievements
(C) religious tolerance
(D) all of the above

12. The Gupta Empire was founded by:
(A) Chandragupta I
(B) Samudragupta
(C) Chandragupta II
(D) Kumaragupta I

13. The Gupta Empire declined around:
(A) 500 CE
(B) 600 CE
(C) 700 CE
(D) 800 CE

14. The Gupta Empire was overthrown by the:
(A) Huns
(B) Arabs
(C) Turks
(D) Rajputs

15. The Rajputs were a group of warrior-aristocrats who ruled over much of India from the 6th to the 12th centuries.
(A) True
(B) False

16. The Rajputs were known for their:
(A) military prowess
(B) chivalry
(C) loyalty
(D) all of the above

17. The Rajputs were eventually overthrown by the:
(A) Mughals
(B) Marathas
(C) British
(D) Sikhs

18. The Mughal Empire was founded by:
(A) Babur
(B) Humayun
(C) Akbar
(D) Jahangir

19. The Mughal Empire was the largest and most powerful empire in Indian history, covering most of the Indian subcontinent.
(A) True
(B) False

20. The Mughal Empire was known for its:
(A) strong military
(B) efficient administration
(C) religious tolerance
(D) all of the above

21. The Mughal Empire declined around:
(A) 1700 CE
(B) 1750 CE
(C) 1800 CE
(D) 1850 CE

22. The Mughal Empire was overthrown by the:
(A) British
(B) Marathas
(C) Sikhs
(D) Afghans

23. The British East India Company was a trading company that was granted a monopoly on trade with India by the British Crown in 1600.
(A) True