History 01 - Daily Class Notes - (UPSC Optional History)
History 01 - Daily Class Notes - (UPSC Optional History)
DAILY
CLASS NOTES
HISTORY
Lecture - 01
Ancient India: Introduction
2
Aryans and Vedic Period Expansion of Aryans in India. Vedic period: religious
and philosophic literature; Transformation from rig
vedic period to the later vedic period; political, social,
and economic life; the significance of the vedic Age;
Evolution of Monarchy and varna system.
Early State and Society in Kharvela, The Satavahanas, the Tamil States of the
Eastern India, Deccan and South Sangam Age; Administration, economy, land grants,
India coinage, trade guilds, and urban centers; Buddhist
centers; Sangam literature and culture; Art and
architecture.
Regional States during Guptas The Kadambas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami, Polity
Era and Administration trade guilds, Literature; growth
of Vaishnava and Saiva religion. Tamil bhakti
movement, Shankaracharya, Vedanta; institution of
the temple and temple architecture; Palas, senas,
Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity, and administration;
Cultural aspects.
4
This map-based question is theme based on questions like Paleolithic sites, Neolithic
sites, Indus valley sites, temple sites, etc.
Temples Sites
Harappan Sites
We have a historical sense that was different from the European sense of history. It is
called Itihasa Purana tradition.
Problem:
No Contemporary historical texts.
Materials destroyed.
We have a concept of different eras. We have Vikram Era 58 BC, Shaka Era 78 Era,
Gupta Era 319 AD, and Kalachuri Era 248 AD,
Scattered sources.
5
Continuing Excavation
They have been guided by ideology, colonial ideology, nationalist ideology, etc.
Foreign travelers for example Hueng Tsang's practice of preserving historical records.
Arthasastra suggested that there was an officer in the Mauryan court to record
everything.