HISTORY

Ancient India

Various source of information about Ancient India:

Rigveda: Oldest veda in the world( The first testament of mankind)

It contains 1028 Suktas, 10462 hymns, and 10 mandala (Adhyay)

God Som is mentioned in 10th mandala.
Chatusvarnya (the four castes) is mentioned in 10th mandala.

There are 250 and 200 hymns for God Indra and Fire respectively.

Sabha and Samiti are considered as twin daughter in Rigveda

Vedas and subjects: Rigveda: Princely matters, governance, rituals

Yajurwaveda:Dhanurveda, and different physical mastery

Samveda: Music

Atharwaveda: Nacramancy, Marriage, Love, Motherland, Princely duties etc.

Upvedas: 

Ayurved: deals with medicine associated with Rigved

Gandharvaveda: deals with music associated with Samved

Dhanurveda: deals with Archery, associated with Yajurveda

Shilpveda: Science of shilp (craft), associated with Athervaveda

Puranas: Lomharsha and his son Ugrashrava are the creator of puranas; puranas generally describes geneology of royal dynasties.

There are 18 puranas. Oldest purana is Matsyapurana which is concerned with Andhra Saatvahan Vansh.

Vayu Purana is cocerned with Gupta Vansh.

Other important puranas are: Bhagvata, The Vishnu, The Vayu, The Brahmand etc.


Manusmriti : Oldest smriti granth
Jatak: tells of Budha's rebirth
Aagam: Jain Literature
Bhagwatisutra: Description of Mahavira's life and his deeds.
Kalpasutra: Initital history of Jainism can be traced.
Arthshastra: written by Chanakya/Kautilya/Vishnugupta which has been divided into 15 Adhikaran(Adhyay)
 Kalhan was credited to be the first to compile the incidences chronologicaly in Sanskrit Literarure. He wrote Rajtarangini (History of Kashmir).
Chachnama: written by Ali Ahmad describes the victory of Arabs over Sindh.
Ashtadhyayi was written by Panini


Source of information by Foreign travellers:
Tessius( Monarchial Doctor/Rajvaidhya of Iran): He described India as wonderful land
Herodotus: also known as father of History, he wrote Historica which describes 5th Century BC's            Bharat-Faras relation.

Credible information given by Niryakas, Aanesicratus and Astiobulls who came India with Alexander
Megasthnese: Ambassador of Selukas Nicator. He came durigng the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. He wrote Indica.
Dymachus: Ambassador of Syria king Antiyokus who came in the state of Bindusar
Taulmy: He wrote 'Bharat Ka Bhugol' in 2nd Century BC
Pliny: He wrote 'Natural History' in 1st Century BC


'Periplus of Erithrian Sea' the book has been written by anonymous writer who came india during 80th Cetury AD

Chinese Writer:

Fah-ian:  came India in court of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya). He describes the culture of Madhya Pradesh
Sang-Yun: Came India in 512 AD who collected the scripture of Baudha riligion.
Huen-Sang: Came India in court of Harshvardhan. Reside in India for 16 year, educated in Nalanda University for 6 years.
Itsing:  Described the contemporary Nalanda University, Vikramshila University. He came India in 7th Century AD

Arabian Writer:
Albaruni: who came India with Mahmud Gaznavi. He wrote Tahkik-e-Hind, Kitab-ul-Hind 
  
Other writers:
Taranath (Tibbeten Writer): He wrote Kangyur and Tangyur 
Marcopolo: Who Came india in 13 Century during the reign of Pandya
 

Indus Valley Civilisation(2500 BC to 1750 BC) 

Belongs to Proto Historic(chacolithic) period. 

• John Marshal first used the term 'Indus Civilisation'
• Area Covered: Sindh, Baluchistan, Panjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Western Up. Northern Maharastra.
• Most eastern, western, southern & northern parts were Alamgirpur (UP), Suktagendor (Pak-Iran border), Roper (J&K) and Bhagatrav& Daimabad (Guj. and Maharastra)                                                   
• Capital:                                                                                                                              Harappa: Based near Ravi(Punjab,Pakistan) discovered by Dayaram Sahni in 1921                     Mohenjodaro (largest site of Indus Civilisation): Based near Indus (Pakistan) discovered by         Rakhal  Das Banerjee in 1922                                                                                                  Tips: to remember MJ(Michael Jacson/Mohenjodaro 22 yr)-RDB, HpDS(21 kg. rice to        Harrapan people) system                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
• Major Sea Ports: Lothal, Suktagendor
• Dholavira is the Largest Indus Civn. site in India,  2nd Largest: Rakhigrahi (Haryna)
• The Major cities were featured with Citadel, Underground Drainage System, use of burnt bricks, systematic town planning.
• Remains of Horse from Suktagendor, and remains of Dog from
• Dog burial with human found in Ropar site                                                                                        
• Major Site:    

1. .Harrappa: have great granery (169*35 ft.), slave habitats, Naked male Torso of red sandstone found here, traces of Jainism.                                                                                             
2.  Mohenjodaro: Great Bath  L 39ft, B 23ft, Depth 8ft- masterpiece of the site.Kiln fired bricks, Major Streets 33ft wide, evidence of sea vassals, the city was flooded more than 7 times; the excavation reveals. 
3. Kalibangan: Discovered by A. Ghose in 1953, Both Harappan & pre Harappan site, Less developed than Mohenjodaro. 
4. Chanhudaro: Discovered by N G Mazumdar, 1931 (Rabindranath -Noble prize yr.) Only city without citadel, peopel were expert craftsmen, superimposition of a barbarian life, the city was two times destroyed. 
5. Banwali:Discovered by RS Bist in 1973-74,     
6. Surkotda: Discovered by I Joshi in 1972-75, only city where remains of horse found.   
7. Kot Diji: The city was probably destroyed due to fire, five figurines of Mother Goddess discovered.                                                     
8. Ropar: Discovered by YD Sharma in 1955-56, evidence of burrying dog with dead human.  
9. Dholavira: (Gujrat) Discovered by JP Joshi in 1967-68      
10. Lothal (Gujrat) Discovered by RS Rao in 1957 Main Seaport of Indus Civn. evidences earliest cultivation of rice, Only Indus city with brick dockyard.

Vedic Age (1500-1000 BC)   

Aryans were supposed to came from Central Asia, as evidenced in Boghazkai Inscription( Asia Minor, Turkey) mentiones 4 vedic gods: Indra, Varuna, Nasatya & Mitra. Aryans also used to worship these gods.
Aryans brought Hemetite(Iron) with them.

Aryans first came in the present Frontier Province & Punjab which was called Sapta Sindhu . ie. region of seven rivers( Sindhu and five tributaries: Vitatsa, Asikani, Vipas, Prusni, Satudri, Shravasti) They gradually settled in Ganges valley.

Dasrajan War was fought On the bank of Prusni in which Sudas gain victory.

Vedic Literature: Vedic Literature compriese of :1. The Samhitas/Vedas 2. Thr Brahmanas 3. The Aranyakas 4. The Upnishads.

Vedas are called Apaurasheya and Nitya ie. eternal for all ages

There Are four Vedas: (1. Rigveda 2. Yajurveda 3. Shamveda) = Vedatrayi, 4. Atharwaveda

There are six schools of philophy:

Shankhya Darshan by Kapilmuni

Yog Darshan by Patanjali

Nyay Darshan by Akshapada Gautam

Vaishesika Darshan by Uluka Kanada

Mimansa/Purva Mimansa by Jaimini

Vedant/Uttar Mimansa by Badaryana

Polity:

Patriarchal Govt

Head of Rashtra- Raja/Rajan

Head of village- Gramini

Head of Family- Kulapa

Head of Vis(clan/Jhund) - Vispati

Head of Jan(people) - Gopa/Gopati

Domestic priests- Purohits
Head of Police - Ugra

Society:

Divided in four varnas:

Brahmans-Teachers and Priests

Chhatriya- Rulers and Administrators

Vaishya- Farmer, merchants and bankers

Shudra- Artisans and labours 

Customs:  

Niyoga- Widow remarriage with the brother of dead husband was in practice.

Aghanya-  Not killing the cows. 

More possession of cows implies more wealth and war were being fought for cow in those days

 Religion:(Henotheism) - belief in many Gods

Agni, Indra and Varuna- most popular deities

Savitri(God of light): Gayatri Mantra is addressed to her

Later Vedic Ae (1000-600 BC) 

Aryans spread over the northerns state/India (Aryavarta)

Central India (Madhyadesa)

Southern India (Dakhsinavarta)

Formation of Janpads:

Kuru - Combination of Purus & Bharats

Panchala - Combination of Turvashas, Krivis and Kashi                                                                                                                 

Polity:

We find theoty of divine origin of kingship in Taittariya Brahmana  

Various Posts of the Period:

Mahishi- Queen

Senani - The General (defense)

Sangrahitri-Treasurer

Bhagadudha- Tax Collector

Akshvapa- Courier

Palagala-Friend of king

Govikarta- Head of Forest

Governance through Consulation with Sabha and Samiti

Society:

Yajnas being performed by Brahmans for king's and kindoms' welfare

Marriage :Higher caste can marry lower caste but not with Shudras

Types of Hindu Marriage:

Brahma, Daiva, Arsha, Prajapatya, Gandharva, Asura, Rakshash, Pishach vivah 

Daiva Vivah was considered to be the best among these.

Mention of 4 Ashrams in (Jabala Upnishad):

Brahmacharya

Grihastha

Vanprastha

Sanyasa 

 16 Sanskara mentioned in Later Vadic Age 

Religion:

Patron God of Aryan- Vishnu  

God of Animal- Rudra (later Shiva) 

God of Shudra- Pushana 

Brihadaranyaka  was the first work mentioning transmigration(Punarjanma) and description of Karma

2 varieties of sacrifice:

Laghuyajna(Yagya) being performed by householder

 ex. Panchmahayajna, Agnihotra, Darsha Yajna (on Amavashya), Purnamasa Yajnay ( on Purnima)

Mahayajna : being performed by king, aristocratic and man of affluence.

Rajsuya: held throughout year with continual sacrifiece lateron replaced by Abhisheka

Vajpeya Yajna: Drink of Strenght, held for 17 days

Asvamedha Yajna: Sacrifiece of Horse held for 3 days

Agnishtoma Yajna: Sacrifice of animal to please God of Fire( Soma rasa consumed in the procession)

Economy:

Paitned Gray Ware Culture

Grouping of various professionals

Mahajanpad Period (600-325 BC)

Reference of 16 Janpads is found in Budhist literature; Anguttara Nikaya, Mahavastu and Jani Literature; Bhagwatisutra 

Both Monarchial (Anga, Magadha, Kashi, Kosala, Batsa, Chedi, Shursena, Matsya, Avanti & Gandhara) and Republican (Vajji, Malla, Kuru, Panchal, Kamboja, Shakya, Koliyas Moriya) were present during the period.

Magadha emerges as victorious:

The Magadha gain Victory in Battle between Kosla, Vatsa, Avanti and Magadh for supremacy.

Geographical position, Rivers (Ganga), Crops and Military power were the main reason behind its success.

Various Dynasties 

Bimbisara (Shronika) 544-492 BC: founder of the dynasty (Budha's contemporary)

Married with 1.Kashaldevi/Mahakoshla; sister of Koshal king Prasenjit(gained a part of Kashi as dowry) and with 2. Lichhavi; sister of Lichhavi head.

He built city of Rajgriha & conqured Anga.

He sent Jivak (vaidhya) to treat the Jaundice(Pilia)stricken king Pradyota of Ujjain.

He built Rajgriha and he was also known as Seniya for his being first king who have both standing and regular army.

He was killed in 493 BC by his own son Ajatsatru to seize the throne.

Ajatsatru 492-460 BC: He was more aggressive in his strategy, he gained Kashi, he attacked Prasenjit(his maternal uncle) Koshala king.

Vajji was his next target which took him 16 years to seize but through deceit by instigating Vajji people to revolt against king. His aid to gain Vajji were (1) Sunidha (2) Vatsakar (Ajatsatrus diplomatic minister). He was the first to use Mahashilakantaka (Engine which can through big stones)

Conqured Kashi, Vaishali and made the the Magadha most powerfull territory.
He built Fort of Rajgriha, Jaldurga (watch-fort) at Patli.
Ajatsatru was killed by his own son Udayin in 461 BC and seized the throne.

Udayin 460-440 BC:
He laid foundation of Patliputra and shifted capital from Rajgriha to Patliputra.
Successor of Udayin: Anurudha, Munda and Naga-Dasak.

Shisunaga Dynasty (412 344 BC):

Naga-Dasak was revolted by people for his unworthiness and elected Shisunaga as the king.

He conqured Pradyota Dynasty of Avanti and annexed Avanti.

He was succeeded by Kalashok (Kakavarna-convened 2nd Budhist Council at Vaishali in 383 BC) \

Nanda Dynasty (344-323 BC):

Mahapadmanada( also known as Sarvakshatrantak and Ugrasena) the founder overthrown the Shishunag Dynasty.

In purana he was described as Ekrati

He was succeeded by his 8th son Dhanananda during his reign Alexendor invaded India in 326 BC