Ancient History

ANCIENT HISTORY
Table of Contents
A-1.1. Prehistoric Period ...................................................... 2
A-1.2. Indus Valley Civilization – (2500 BC to 1700 BC) . 3
A-1.3. The Vedic Period ....................................................... 6
A-1.4. The Later Vedic Period (1000 BC – 600 BC) ........... 8
A-1.5. Jainism and Buddhism ............................................. 9
A-1.6. Dynasties of Ancient India ......................................12
A-1.7. Famous Foreign Travellers And Their Literature 22
A-1.8. Art, Literature And Architecture ...........................23

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 Ancient History
❖ Ancient History is divided into three parts –
1. Prehistoric Period: Very limited information is available
about this period. There was no script and writing
system in this period.
2. Protohistoric Period: Scripts were available in this
period, but they cannot be read. Example - Harappan
period.
3. Historical Period: In this period the script was available
and has been read. Example – Mahajanapada period.

A-1.1. Prehistoric Period

❖ The Pre-Historic period can again be divided into
three parts:
i) Palaeolithic (early 10,000 BC)
• At this time man was a hunter.
• Core tools (making small stones by breaking big
stones) were predominant.
• Man-made stone tools/weapons built.

ii) Mesolithic (10,000 to 6000 BC)

• Projectile technology developed during this period.
• Humans started animal husbandry during this
period, the evidence of which is found in Bagore of
Rajasthan.
• Started hunting animals and birds and fishing.

iii)Neolithic (6000 to 3000 BC)

• Agriculture developed during this period, evidence
of which is found in Mehrgarh (Baluchistan). are.
• Man used metal (copper) for the first time.
• A permanent village and a soft warehouse were
built.

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A-1.2. Indus Valley Civilization – (2500 BC to

1700 BC)
❖ The Indus Valley Civilization is also known as the
Bronze Age Civilization because of the abundance of
alloy bronze (a mixture of copper and tin) in it.
• Dayaram Sahni discovered this civilization.

Expansion of Indus Civilization Hindon River in the East

Alamgirpur (Meerut, Uttar Pradesh) situated on the banks of
Sutkangedor River (Balochistan) located on the banks of
Dashk River, Manda (Jammu Kashmir) near Chenab River in
the North and Daimabad (Ahmednagar, Maharashtra) on the
banks of Godavari River in the south.

• The major ports of the Indus Valley were Lothal and

Surkotada.
• The first line of the script of the Indus civilization was
written from right to left and the second line was
written from left to right. Indus
• The script of civilization is pictographic.
• The Indus civilization was matrilineal.
• In the Indus civilization, people worshipped the earth as
the goddess of fertility.
• The people of this civilization worshipped the Mother
Goddess, the humped bull.
• The city system in this civilization was based on the
grid system.
• Chopad and dice were popular as major games for
entertainment.
• Evidence of the burial of dead bodies in Harappa and
burning in Mohenjodaro has been found.

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❖ Evidence found from the cities of the Indus
Civilization
1 Mohenjodaro • Granary
• Bronze dancer statue
• Seal of Pashupati Mahadev
(Elephant, Rhinoceros, Cheetah
and Buffalo on all four sides)
• Spacious bathroom
• Woven fabric
• Soil scales
2 Harappa • Granary
• Bullock cart
• Evidence of wheat and barley
• Picture of a fisherman
• Swastik
3 Kalibangan • Wooden plow
• Fire altars
• Clay bangle
• Mud plows
4 Lothal • Rice bran
• Chess game
• Man-made harbour
• Compass
• Millet
5 Surkotada • Horse bones
• Beads
6 Banawali • Mustard
• Selkhadi
• Burnt clay stamps
• Wheel marks
7 Chanhudaro • Oyster
• Curved brick
• Comb
• Lipstick
• Four-wheeler cart

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❖ In the Indus Valley Civilization, the sites along the
banks of the rivers
VENUE RIVER
Harappa Ravi
Mohenjodaro, Chanhudaro Indus
Manda Chenab
Kalibangan Ghaggar
Lothal Bhogwa
Ropar Sutlej
Banawali Saraswati
Alamgirpur Hindon

❖ Bronze Age sites Discovered in Contemporary

States/Territories
State / Venue
Territory
Balochistan Sutkokedor, Balakot, Mehargarh
Indus region Mohenjodaro, Harappa,
Chanhudaro
Rajasthan Kalibangan
Haryana Rakhigarhi, Banawali, Mithatal
Punjab Ropar, Kot Nihang, Chak 8
Gujarat Lothal, Rangpur, Patan, Surkotda,
Dholavira

❖ Major sites and excavators of Indus Civilization

Site Excavator Year
Harappa Dayaram Sahni 1921
Mohenjodaro Rakhaldas Banerjee 1922
Kalibangan B.B. Lal and B.B. 1953
Thapar
Chanhudaro Gopal Majumdar 1931
Lothal Ranganatha Rao 1955
Dholavira Ravindra Singh Bisht 1900 - 1991

❖ Other important points

• Indus Civilization was an urban civilization.
• The main source of the economy was agriculture and
animal husbandry.
• Evidence of iron has not yet been found from this
civilization.
• The people of the Indus civilization first produced
cotton.

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• Pit dwellings have been found at Burzahom (in
present-day Jammu and Kashmir).

A-1.3.The Vedic Period

The Vedic period can be divided into two parts:

i) Rigvedic period (1500 BC – 1000 BC)
ii) Later Vedic period (1000 BC – 600 BC)
• The Vedic civilization was a civilization created by the
Aryans.
• It was a rural civilization. Their language was
Sanskrit.

❖ The Rigvedic society was divided into four classes

(Varnas)
i) Brahmins → Studying the Vedas, performing
Yagya, and giving education was their main task.
ii) Kshatriya → Their work was to fight, to protect the
subjects. Their origin is believed to be from the
arms.
iii) Vaishya → Their main work was trade. Their origin
was believed to be the thighs.
iv) Shudra → Their main work was to serve the other
three varnas. Their origin is believed to be from the
feet.

❖ Saraswati was considered the most important river in

the Rigvedic period. The Indus River is most
mentioned in the Rigveda.
Rigvedic period rivers
Modern Name Ancient Name
Jhelum Vitasta
Chenab Askini
Raavi Parushani
Vyas Bipasha
Sutlej Shatudri
Ghaggar Drishadvati
Gandak Sadanira

❖ Major philosophies and their originators

Philosophy Originator
Yoga Patanjali
Sankhya Kapil

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Nyaya Gautam
Charvak Charvak
Purva Mimansa Gemini
Uttar Mimansa Badnarayan
Vaisheshika Kanad
• Vedas → The Vedas compiled by Maharishi Vedvyas is
considered to be the most ancient. The number of Vedas
is 4 –Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda.
These four Vedas are called Samhitas.
i) Rigveda → It has 10 mandalas and 1028 sutras.
Rigveda is the oldest Veda, in the third division of
Rigveda there is Gayatri Mantra dedicated to Sun
God Savitri. Handwritten hymns in their 8th circle
are called Khil. The description of the four varnas is
in the Purushasukta of the 10th Mandala.
ii) Yajurveda → It has both prose and poetry. It
contains the rules of sacrifice.
iii) Samveda → It is believed to be the origin of Indian
music. There is a description of Yagyas in it.
iv) Atharvaveda → This is the latest Veda. There is a
description of sorcery and superstitions.
• Vedanga → The number of Vedanga is 6 –
Education, Astrology, Kalpa, Grammar, Nirukta and
Chhanda.
• Purana → The number of Puranas is 18. Matsya Purana
is the oldest Purana.
• Upanishads → The number of Upanishads is 108.

❖ Source Code
Code Source
Satyamev Jayte Mundakopanishad
Yama- Nachiketa Dialogue Kathopanishad
Largest Upanishad Vrihadkaropanishad

❖ Other Important Points

• The society of Aryans was patriarchal.
• Women could get an education. Gargi challenged
Yajnavalkya to debate.
• Iron was discovered during the Vedic period. Iron is
called Shyam Ayas and copper is called Lohit Ayas.
• Favorite animal was a horse and favourite god was
Indra.

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• Cow was considered a sacred animal, which is called
Aghanya.
• The main occupation was animal husbandry and
agriculture.

A-1.4.The Later Vedic Period (1000 BC – 600 BC)

• In the later Vedic period, burnt bricks were first used
in Kaushambi City.
• In this period the importance of Yagya increased
immensely, in 'Aitareya Brahmin' the duties of the
four varnas are described.
• 'Bali' was a voluntary tax paid to the king in the Rig
Vedic period, which became a regular tax by the later
1
Vedic period. Its quantity used to be the tenth part.
16
• In the later Vedic period, Prajapati became the most
beloved deity in place of Indra.
• In this period, the ritual of Rajasuya Yagya is
performed at the time of the coronation.
• The practice of gotra started in the later Vedic period.
Gotra is a group of people whose lineage is linked to
an original male ancestor in an unbroken sequence.
Marriage in the same gotra was prohibited.
• The world's biggest epic is 'Mahabharata ', whose old
name was 'Jayasamhita'.
• 'Brahmasutra' or 'Vedanta Sutra' was composed by
Badnarayan.

❖ Mahajanapadas
• We get information about the Mahajanapadas from
the Anguttara Nikaya of Buddhism.
• In the 6th century BC, India was divided into 16
Mahajanapadas.
Mahajanpada Capital Current Sector
Ang Champa Bhagalpur
Magadha Rajagriha Gaya
Giribraj Patna
Kashi Varanasi Varanasi
Vatsa Kaishambi Allahabad

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Vajji Vaishali Muzaffarpur –
Darbhanga
Kosala Shravasti Ayodhya
Avanti Ujjain Malwa (Madhya
Pradesh)
Malla Kushawati Kushinagar
Panchal Ahichhatra Bareilly, Badaun
Chedi Shaktimati Bundelkhand
Kuru Indraprastha Delhi, Meerut
Matsya Biratnagar Jaipur
Kamboj Hatak Rajori and Hazara
(Uttar Pradesh)
Shoorsen Mathura Mathura
Ashmak Potli / Potan Godavari River
Region (South
India)
Gandhara Taxila Rawalpindi,
Peshawar
(Pakistan)

A-1.5.Jainism and Buddhism

❖ Jainism
• The real propagation of Jainism is seen from the 6th
century BC.
• According to Jain tradition, there were 24
Tirthankaras in Jainism.
FOUNDER INSIGNIA
First Tirthankara Rishabhdev Bull
23rd Tirthankara Parshvanath Serpent
24th Tirthankar Mahavir Swami Lion

❖ Mahavir Swami
Birth Year – 540 BC◦
Place of Birth - Kundalgram (Bihar)
Kula - Gyantrika clan (Ikshvaku dynasty)
Father - Siddharth
Mother - Trishala
Childhood name - Vardhamana (the one who
grows)
Kevalya (Knowledge) - under the Sal tree
The nickname of Mahavira - Jin (Conqueror);
Arhat (Holy); Nigranth (Unbound)

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• First sermon - in Pali language at Rajgir
• After attaining knowledge, Jain Sangh was
established in Pawapuri.
• The first follower of Mahavira was his son-in-law
Jamil.
• Mahavira preached five Mahavratas to the monks
and five Anuvratas to the householders.

❖ Panch Anuvrat
• Ahimsa (non-violence)
• Amrisha (not telling lies)
• Acharya (not stealing)
• Aparigraha (not acquiring wealth)
• Celibacy
• Three jewels of Jainism
i) Right knowledge
ii) Right Faith
iii) Right Conduct
• Jain literature: “Kalpasutra” is an important text of
Jainism in which Tirthankaras have been described. It
was composed by Bhadrabahu. The texts of Jainism are
called Anga.
• Rulers who believed in Jainism: Chandragupta
Maurya, Udayin, Chandela ruler, Kharavela
• The first Jain council was organized in Pataliputra
during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya. From here
Jainism got divided into two sects: -
i) Digambar (Bhadrabahu)
ii) Svetambara (gross arms)
• Mahavira died at the age of 72 in Pawapuri, Bihar in 468
BC.
Jain Councils
First 300 AD Patliputra
Second 512 AD Vallabhi

❖ Other Important Points

• The famous Jain temples in Khajuraho were built by
the Chandela rulers.
• The Jain temples of Dilwara were built by Chalukyas
/ Solankis.

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• The famous Jain centre of South India is situated in
Shravanbelagola, Karnataka.

❖ Buddhism
• The founder of Buddhism was Gautam Buddha.

❖ Gautam Buddha
Birth Year – 563 BC
Place of Birth – Lumbini (Kapilvastu)
Lineage – Shakya clan
Childhood name - Siddharth
Father – Shuddodhan
Mother - Mahamaya
Upbringing – Prajapati Gautami (Aunt)
Wife – Yashodhara
Son - Rahul
First Guru – Alara Kalam
First sermon – Sarnath (Dharmachakrapravartan)
Most sermons – Shravasti
Death - 483 BC
Place of Death – Kushinagar
Nickname – Light of Asia, Tathagat, Shakyamuni

❖ Buddhist Councils
Music Year Location President Reign
First 483 Rajgriha Mahakashyap Ajatshatru
BC
Second 383 Vaishali Sabakami Kalashok
BC
Third 255 Pataliputra Mowgliputra Ashoka
BC
Fourth 78 Kundalvan, Vasumitra Kanishka
AD Kashmir

❖ Symbols of Buddhism relating to the life of a

Buddhist
Birth – Lotus and Bull
Mahabhinishkraman (Renunciation) – Horse
Knowledge - Peepal (Bodhi tree)
Mahaparinirvan (Death) - Stupa
Triratna of Buddhism - Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
• Branches: After the fourth Buddhist council,
Buddhism was divided into two parts –

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i) Hinayana (Mahakashyap)
ii) Mahayana (Vasumitra)
• The Eightfold Path and the Ten Precepts have special
importance in Buddhist teachings.

❖ Buddhist literature:
• Buddhism is Tripitaka, whose language is Pali.

• Anguttar Nikaya mentions 16 Mahajanapadas, and

Jataka tales in Khundak Nikaya.
• Chief worshipers of Buddhism: Bimbasar, Udayin,
Ashoka.
• Ashta Mahasthan: Eight important places associated
with the life of Buddha – Lumbini, Bodhgaya,
Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Sankisa, Rajagriha,
Vaishali.
• After death, the remains of Buddha's body were
divided into eight parts and eight stupas were built
on them. In which the biggest stupa is the stupa of
Sanchi.

A-1.6.Dynasties of Ancient India

❖ Haryanka Dynasty (544 BC – 492 BC)
• The first capital of the kingdom of Magadha was
Rajagriha (Girivraj).
• The founder of the Haryanka dynasty was Bimbiasar,
who was a follower of Buddhism.
• At the time of Bimbisar, he had a famous Rajvaid Jivak,
whom he sent to the service of Mahatma Buddha.
• Ajatshatru, the son of Bimbisar, killed him and usurped
the throne.

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• Udayin was a follower of Jainism. He established
Pataliputra.
• The last king of the Haryanka dynasty was
Nagadashak, the son of Udayin.

❖ Shishunaga Dynasty (412 BC – 344 BC)

• After defeating Nagadashak, the ruler of the Haryanka
dynasty, Amatya Shishunaga founded the Shishunaga
dynasty.
• Shishunag shifted the capital from Pataliputra to
Vaishali which was again shifted to Pataliputra by his
successor Kalashoka.
• The last king of this dynasty was Nandivardhak.

❖ Nanda Dynasty (344 BC – 323 BC)

• The founder of the Nanda dynasty was
Mahapadmananda.
• At the time of the Nanda dynasty, Alexander the Chief
of Macedonia had attacked India.
• Alexander fought a battle with the Paurava king Porus
on the banks of the Jhelum River, which is known as the
Battle of the Hydaspes (326 BC).
• Alexander died in Babylon due to fever (323 BC).
• The last ruler of the Nanda dynasty was Dhanananda.

❖ Mauryan Dynasty (322 BC – 185 BC)

• Maurya dynasty (322-185 BC) was a great dynasty of
ancient India, it ruled India for 137 years. Chandragupta
Maurya was the founder of the Maurya dynasty. The
credit goes to Emperor Ashoka for expanding and
making the Mauryan dynasty powerful.
• The chief ruler of the Maurya dynasty:
1. Chandragupta Maurya
2. Bindusara
3. Ashoka
4. Dasaratha
5. Devvarma
6. Shatdhanva
7. Brihadratha

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❖ Chandragupta Maurya (322 Bc – 298 Bc)
• 322 BC after defeating the Nanda ruler Dhanananda
with the help of his Guru Chanakya.
• In the time of Chandragupta Maurya, Alexander's
commander Seleucus Nicator attacked. Chandragupta
Maurya married Cornelia, the daughter of Seleucus
Nicator.
• Chandragupta Maurya had captured 8 Mahajanapadas
of India.
• Chandragupta Maurya accepted Jainism in the last days
of his life.
• He died while fasting (Kaya-Klesha/ Salekhan) at
Shravanbelagola, Karnataka.

❖ Bindusara (298 BC – 273 BC)

• Bindusara became the next ruler after Chandragupta
Maurya.
• In Puranas, Bindusara is known by the names of –
Amitrasara, Varisara, and Bhadrasar.
• He was a follower of Jainism.
• During the reign of Bindusara, there was a rebellion in
Taxila and he sent Ashoka to suppress the rebellion.
• Bindusara ruled over 10 Mahajanapadas of India.

❖ Ashoka (273 BC – 232 BC)

• Ashoka was the most majestic ruler of the Maurya
dynasty.
• Ashoka ascended the throne as the successor of
Bindusara in 269 BC and took over Kalinga in 26 1 BC,
the 8th year of his consecration.
• Ashoka was famous by the name 'Devanampriya'.
• Ashoka was a follower of Jainism in the beginning, after
heavy fighting in the Kalinga war, he renounced
weapons.
• They Took initiation into Buddhism from Upagupta, a
disciple of Gautam Buddha.
• There was a lot of circulation of inscriptions during his
reign, these inscriptions were first discovered by

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Fenthaler in 1750 AD and first of all in 1837 AD, James
Prinsep read these inscriptions. In the year 1877, James
Cunningham published a set of inscriptions.
• The number of Edicts of Ashoka is 14.
• Greek and Aramaic script has been used in the
inscriptions of Ashoka.
• Kharosthi script is written from right to left.
• Ashoka's name is found in Maski and Gurjara
inscriptions.
• Ashoka sent their son Mahendra and daughter
Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka for the promotion of
Buddhism.

❖ Miscellaneous
1. Chanakya
• Chanakya was the General Secretary of
Chandragupta Maurya.
• Another name for Chanakya – Vishnugupta,
Kautilya
• Chanakya was a teacher of political science and
economics at Takshashila, a famous centre of
education in ancient times.
• Composition → Economics
2. Alexander
• Alexander was a disciple of Aristotle.
• 326 BC, Alexander, the ruler of Macedonia, started
the Indian conquest campaign.
• War → Battle of Hydaspes or Vitasta (Jhelum), with
Porus.
• Alexander returned from India in 325 BC.
• The name of the ambassador of Alexander Seleucus
Nicator was Megasthenes. He came to the court of
Chandragupta Maurya.
• Megasthenes composed a book named Indica.
Other important points
• In the Maurya period, the government land was
called Sita Bhoomi and the agriculture officer was
called Sitadhyaksha.

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• In the Maurya period, Kautilya divided the court into
two parts.
i) Dharmashtiya (for civil matters)
ii) debridement (for criminal cases)

❖ Indo-Yavana Kingdom
• The first gold coins in India were issued by the Indo-
Greeks only.
• Demetrius was the first Greek ruler after Alexander,
who entered Indian territory. 190 BC Took control over
Punjab and Indus.
• He made Shakal his capital.
• Minander was the most famous Indo-Yavana ruler. He
ruled from 165 BC to 145 BC. In his Buddhist text
'Milindapanho', there is a collection of question-answers
between Nagsen and Minander.

❖ Shaka
• Came to India from Central Asia in search of pastures.
• The first king in India was Moa.
• A king of Ujjain assumed the title of Vikramaditya after
defeating the Shakas. To commemorate the victory over
the Shakas, a new Samvat Vikrami Samvat was started
in 58 BC.
• Rudradaman was the most powerful ruler of the
Shakas, who issued the first Girnar inscription in the
Sanskrit language.
• Rudradaman renovated the Sudarshan Lake built by the
Mauryas.

❖ Kushana
• Founder → Kujul Kadphises
• Rajdhani → Purushpur (modern- Peshawar)
• Second Capital → Mathura
• The most glorious ruler of the Kushan dynasty was
Kanishka.
• The Saka Samvat, which is used by the Government of
India at present, was run by Kanishka in 78 AD.

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• Kanishka was a follower of Buddhism (Mahayana).
• The Kushanas had strong control over the silk route.
• The last ruler of the Kushana dynasty was Vasudev.
Important persons from kanishak's kingdom
• Nagarjuna: He is called the Einstein of India. His
book is 'Madhyayik Sutra'.
• Ashvaghosh: He was the court poet of Kanishka. He
composed 'Buddhacharita'.
• Charak: He was the state physician of Kanishka. He
composed the Charaka Samhita.
• Vasumitra: 'Mahavibhava Sutra', which is called the
encyclopedia of Buddhism, was composed by
Vasumitra.

❖ Shunga Dynasty (185 BC – 73 BC)

• Pushyamitra Shunga was the founder of the Shunga
dynasty.
• Pushyamitra Shung had performed Ashwamedha
Yagya twice in his lifetime.
• Pushyamitra was a general in the Mauryan Empire.
After killing the Antira Maurya ruler Vri Hadrath, he
sat on the throne.
• Vidisha was the capital of the Sunga rulers.
• Pushyamitra Sunga built the Bharhut Stupa.
• The last ruler of the Sunga dynasty was Devbhuti.

❖ Gupta Period (319 AD – 540 AD)

• Due to the cultural achievements, the Gupta period is
called the 'Golden Age'.
• Srigupta (240-280 AD) founded the Gupta dynasty by
defeating Satakarni, the last ruler of the Satvahana
dynasty.
• Sanskrit was the official language of the Gupta period.
• In the Gupta period, gold coins were called dinars and
Silver coins were called Rupyaka.
• The Gupta emperors were followers of Vaishnavism.
An important relic of Vaishnavism of the Gupta period

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Deoghar (Lalitpur) has the Dashavatar temple, which is
situated on the Betwa coast.
• The founder Shrigupta had conquered 6 Mahajanapadas
of India.
• After him Ghatotchak and then Chandragupta became
the next ruler.

❖ Chandragupta I (319 AD – 334 AD)

• Chandragupta I married the Licchavi princess Kumara
Devi. He assumed the title of ' Maharajadhiraja '.
• Chandragupta I started the Gupta Era. (319-320 AD)

❖ Samudragupta (335 AD – 380 AD)

• In 335 CE, Samudragupta ascended the throne as
Chandragupta I 's successor.
• Due to being mighty, it is called 'Napoleon of India'.
• Samudragupta was a lover of music and he inscribed
the idol of the goddess playing the veena on his coins.
• Being a music lover, he was also called Kaviraj.
• Harisena was the court poet of Samudragupta, who
composed the Allahabad Prasasti. In this, the state
system of Samudragupta was praised.

❖ Chandragupta II (380 AD – 414 AD)

• Chandragupta: The second is also known as
'Vikramaditya'.
• It was a majestic king who defeated the invasion of
Shakas in India.
• On victory over Shakas, he issued silver coins.
The Navratna of Chandragupta's court
1. Amar Singh (poet and Sanskrit lexicographer)
2. Dhanwantari (Physician)
3. Harisena (Poet/Writer)
4. Kalidas (famous poet, dramatist)
5. Kshapranaka (Astrologer)
6. Shanku (architect)
7. Varahamihira (astronomer)
8. Araruchi (Sanskrit scholar)
9. Velabhatta (Magician)

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• Apart from these Navratnas, there were scholars like
Aryabhatta and Brahmagupt.
• It was during the Gupta period that Vishnugupta
composed the Panchatantra, and Sudra wrote the
Mrichchhakatikam.
• Nalanda University was established during this period
by Kumaragupta.
• Skanda Gupta got the artificial lakes constructed.
• The last ruler of this dynasty was Vishnugupta.
• The Chinese traveler Fahyan came to the court of
Chandragupta II.

❖ Pushyabhuti Dynasty
• Founder – Pushyabhuti
• Real Founder – Prabhakarvardhan
• After the death of his brother Rajyavardhana,
Harshavardhana sat on the throne of Thaneshwar at the
age of 16 in 606 AD.
• Harsha took over Kannauj and made it his capital.
• Pulkeshin II of Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi/ Badami
defeated Harsha on the Banks of Narmada [Aihole
Insription of Pulkeshin II].
• The Chalukya Records mention Harsha as
Sakalottarapatheshvara (the lord of entire north)
• Banabhatt was the court poet of Harsh. He composed
Harshacharita and Kadambari.
• Drama composed by Harshavardhana – Nagananda,
Ratnavali, Priyadarshika
• Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang came to India at the same
time as Harshavardhan. He came to Nalanda University
to study and collection of Buddhist texts.
• At the time of Harsha, the head of the horse army was
called Kuntal.

❖ Chola

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• Vijayalaya was the founder of the Chola Empire. In the
8th century, he established this dynasty by defeating the
Pallavas and making Tanjore its capital.
• Vijayalaya assumed the title of 'Narakesari'.
• Rajaraja I invaded Sri Lanka and defeated King
Mahima- V there and established the kingdom.
• Rajaraja I, a follower of Shaivism, built the Shiva temple
of Rajarajeshwar at Tanjore.
• The most glorious king of the Chola Empire was
Rajendra I, who defeated the Pala ruler Mahipala and
assumed the title of 'Gangaikondachola '.
• The last ruler of the Chola administration was Rajendra
III.
• At this time the tax-free land given to Brahmins was
called 'Chaturvedi Mangalay' and the donated land was
called 'Brahmdeya'.
• The main feature of the Chola rule was 'local self-
government'.
Types of land in the Chola period
• Devadan or Tirunmatdakkani: presented to the
temple Earth.
• Vellanavagai: Land of non-Brahmin farmer.
• Shalabhog: the land of the school.
• Pallichandam: donated to Jain institutions Earth.

❖ Rashtrakutas
• Dantidurga laid the foundation of the Rashtrakuta
dynasty.
• Their capital was Manyakhet.
• Dhruva was the first king to participate in the tripartite
struggle.
• He defeated Parihar King Vatsaraj and Pala king
Dharmapala.
• The main rulers of the Rashtrakuta dynasty were
Krishna I, Dhruva, Govind III, Amoghavarsha, Krishna
II, Indra III and Krishna. Krishna III was the last ruler of
this dynasty.

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• Another illustrious king of the Rashtrakuta dynasty was
Amoghavarsha, who composed Kaviraj Marga in
Kannada. He was a follower of Jainism.
• The Ellora and Elephanta (Maharashtra) cave temples
were built during the time of the Rashtrakutas.

❖ Miscellaneous
Other major dynasties of ancient India →
1. Kanva Dynasty
• Founder – Vasudev
• Last King – Susharma
2. Satavahana dynasty
• Founder – Simuk
• Capital – Malkheda
• Prominent ruler → Simuka, Gautamiputra satkarni
• The Satavahana rulers started the practice of giving
land grants to Brahmins.
• The Satavahana rulers introduced lead and bronze
coins.
3. Pallava dynasty
• Founder – Singh Vishnu
• Capital – Kanchi
• Prominent rulers → Mahendravarman I,
Narasimhavarman I, Mahendravarman II,
Narasimhavarman II
• Last Ruler → Aparajita Varman
• Narasimha Varman, I assumed the title of
Vatapikonda.
• Narasimha Varman I built the monolithic temple
called Rathas at Mahabalipuram. The number of
Rath temples is 8. 5 are named after Pandavas
(Panchrath).
• Narasimhavarman II built the Kailash Temple at
Kashi, also known as the Rajasiddheshwar Temple.
4. Chalukyas (Kalyani)
• Founder – Tailap II
• Capital – Manyakhet, Kalyani
• Prominent rulers → Tailap I, Tailap II, Vikramaditya,
Jaisingh, Vikramaditya VI.

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5. Chalukyas (Vatapi)
• Founder → Jai Singh
• Capital – Vatapi
• Prominent rulers – Pulakeshin I, Kirtivardhana,
Pulakeshin II,
• The Pallava ruler Narasimha Varman I defeated
Pulakesin II in 642 AD and assumed the title of
Vatapikonda.
6. Chalukya dynasty (Bengi)
• Founder – Vishnu Vardhan
7. Gurjara Pratihara dynasty
• Founder – Nagabhatta I
• Capital – Kannauj
• Prominent Ruler – Mihir Bhoj
8. Pal dynasty
• Founder – Gopal (750 AD)
• Capital – Munger
• Prominent rulers – Dharmapala, Devpala, Mahipala.
• The most glorious ruler of the Pala dynasty was
Dharmapala who established Vikramshila
University.
9. Dynasties of Kashmir
• Karkot dynasty
Founder – Durlabhvarman
Mighty King – Lalitaditya Muktapida
• Utpal Dynasty
Queen Didda was the ruler of the Utpal dynasty.
• Lohar Dynasty
Founder – Sangramraj
The poet Kalhana was during the time of Harsha,
the ruler of the Lohar dynasty, who has written the
book 'Rajtarangini'. It contains the history of
Kashmir.

A-1.7.Famous Foreign Travellers And Their

Literature
❖ Fahien
The Chinese traveller Fa Hien came to the court of the
Gupta king Chandragupta II. He was about 14 years old
and lived in India. He aimed to collect Buddhist texts

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 Ancient History
and take them to China. He has described the
Mauryan kingdom in his travelogue.
❖ Hiuen Tsang
Hiuen Tsang came to the court of Harshavardhana from
China in 629 AD. He came to Nalanda University in
Bihar to study and collect Buddhist literature. Its
travelogue is famous by the name of Si yu. It has
described the Harsh period of society.

❖ Etsing
Etsing was a Chinese traveller, who came to India at the
end of the seventh century. He reached Tamralipi via
Sumatra and Lanka. Staying where he studied Sanskrit
for three years. He describes Nalanda in his account.

❖ Megasthenes
Megasthenes was the ambassador of Greece who came
to the court of Chandragupta Maurya (304-299 BC).

A-1.8.Art, Literature And Architecture

❖ Ancient universities and their builders:-
University Place Builder
Vikramashila Bihar Dharmapala (800
AD)
Dharmapala Bihar Kumar Gupta (455
(800 AD) AD)
Takshashila Takshashila Chandragupta
(Pakistan) Maurya (340 AD)
Vallabhi Gujarat Maitraka dynasty
(500 AD)

❖ Major books of ancient India and their authors:-

Composition Creator
Mahabhashya Patanjali
Kumarasambhavam, Kalidas
Raghuvansham,
Abhijnanasakuntalam,
Malavikagnimitram
Mudrarakshas Visakhdatta
Arthashastra Kautilya
Aryabhatiyam, Dashagitika Aryabhatta
Sutras
Brahmasiddhanta Brahmagupta

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 Ancient History
kamasutra Vatsayan
Panchatantra Vishnu Sharma
Natyashastra Bharatmuni
Saraswati Kanthabharan Raja Bhoj
Charaka Samhita (Medicine) Charaka
Sushruta Samhita (Surgery) Sushruta
Panch Siddhanta Varahamihira
Buddhacharit Ashwaghosh
Mrichchakatikam Shuprak
Geet Govind Jaidev
Vikramankadevcharit Vilhan
Rajatarangini Kalhan
Kiratarjuniya Bharavi
Shishupala vadha Magha
Matvilas Prahasan Mahendravarman

❖ Major Sangam Literature

Composition Place
Tolkappiyam (grammar) Toppier
Silappadhikaram Illango Adigal
Tirukul Tiruvallur
Kural Tiruvallur

❖ Important facts related to different religions and sects

• Makkhali Ghosha is the exponent of the Ajivaka
Sampradaya (Shaivism).
• Lingayat sect is related to Shaivism, it is prevalent in
South India.
• In the 10th century, Matsyendranath founded the Nath
sect. Baba Gorakhnath widely publicized it.
• Worshipers of Lord Vishnu were called Alvar and Shiva
worshipers were called Nayanars.
• Torah Tanakh is the main scripture of Judaism.
• Zend Avesta is the main scripture of Zoroastrianism.
• Hijri era is related to Islam religion.

❖ Major caves built in ancient India: -

1. Ajanta Caves: Ajanta Caves are located in
Aurangabad, Maharashtra. They were built between
the 2nd century BC and to 5th century BC. It has 29

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 Ancient History
Buddhist cave monuments. There is an illustrated
description of the Jataka stories on their walls.
2. Ellora Caves: These caves are located at a place
called Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It is dedicated to
the thoughts of Lord Shiva and Buddha. The number
of caves in this is 34. In which there are 17 Hindu, 12
Buddhist and 5 Jain caves. The monuments of Ellora
were built by the Rashtrakutas.
3. Elephanta Caves: Elephanta is located at Gharapuri
near Mumbai in Maharashtra. There are a total of
seven caves here. The main attraction is the Trimurti
idol of Lord Shiva. The other idols are Panchmukhi
Parmeshwar and Ardhanarishwar.
4. Bagh Caves, Bhim Betka Caves: Madhya Pradesh
5. Son Bhandar Caves: Bihar
6. Varah Caves: Tamil Nadu
7. Udayagiri Caves: Orissa
8. Badami Caves: Karnataka
9. Jogimara Caves: Chhattisgarh
10. Elephant Cave: Udayagiri Hill, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
Built by Kalingaraja Khakhel
11. Barabar Caves: Bihar, Built in the Maurya period

❖ Ancient Temples, their location and builder

Temple Location Builder
Dashavatara Deogarh (UP) Gupta period
Temple
Sun Temple Odisha (12th century)
Narasimha Deva
I (Ganga
dynasty)
Bhima Devi Pinjore, Gurjar Pratihar
Temple Haryana
Rajarajeswara Thanjavur Rajaraja Chola I
Temple
Kandariya Khajuraho Chandela Rulers
Mahadev
Temple
Kailashnath Kanchi Narasimha
Temple Varman II
Dilwara Jain Rajasthan Bhim I
Temple
Sun Temple of Gujarat Solanki Raja
Modhera

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 Ancient History

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