This book charts the flow of India's grass-roots archaeological history in all its continuities and diversities from its Palaeolithic beginnings to AD 300. The second edition includes a new afterword which discusses all new ideas and discoveries in Indian archaeology in the past one decade.
Not Withstanding The Remarkable Progress In The Realm Of Historical Enquiry In Our Country, Ancient India Still Remains A Mysterious Domain Where The Extant Source-Materials Have Proved To Be Inadequate And Dubious. This Explains Why So Many Topics Of Ancient Indian History And Culture Have Raged Unending Controversies Among The Historians. The Present Work Mostly Revolves Around A Few Such Controversial Issues, Which Have Been Objectively Studied Afresh In The Light Of The Available Data, Literary And Archaeological.The Book Comprises Eight Chapters: `The Imperial Mauryas: Some Problems , The Pala Kings Of Bengal And Bihar ,`Side-Lights Of The Religious Life Of Ancient Orissa , `The Satamana Metallic Currency , `Some Disquieting Features Of Indian Archaeology , `Different Categories Of The Brahmin Donees , `Historical Researches In West Bengal And `Professor Dines Chandra Sircar .
This Book Offers A Definitive Archaeological Perspective On The History Of Early Urban Growth In India. It Does This By Looking At Both Protohistoric And The Early Historic Periods, Covering Ad 300 And Later.
First published in 1965, The Culture and Civilisation of Ancient India in Historical Outline is a strikingly original work, the first real cultural history of India. The main features of the Indian character are traced back into remote antiquity as the natural outgrowth of historical process. Did the change from food gathering and the pastoral life to agriculture make new religions necessary? Why did the Indian cities vanish with hardly a trace and leave no memory? Who were the Aryans – if any? Why should Buddhism, Jainism, and so many other sects of the same type come into being at one time and in the same region? How could Buddhism spread over so large a part of Asia while dying out completely in the land of its origin? What caused the rise and collapse of the Magadhan empire; was the Gupta empire fundamentally different from its great predecessor, or just one more ‘oriental despotism’? These are some of the many questions handled with great insight, yet in the simplest terms, in this stimulating work. This book will be of interest to students of history, sociology, archaeology, anthropology, cultural studies, South Asian studies and ethnic studies.
India: The Ancient Past provides a clear and systematic introduction to the cultural, political, economic, social and geographical history of ancient India from the time of the pre-Harappan culture nine thousand years ago up until the beginning of the second millennium of the Common Era. The book engages with methodological and controversial issues by examining key themes such as the Indus-Sarasvati civilization, the Aryan controversy, the development of Vedic and heterodox religions, and the political economy and social life of ancient Indian kingdoms. This fully revised and updated second edition includes: Three new chapters examining the differences and commonalities between the north and south of India; Extended discussion on contested issues, such as the origins of the Aryans and the role of feudalism in ancient India; New source excerpts to introduce students to the most significant works in the historiography of India, and questions for discussion; Study guides, including a list of key issues, suggested readings and a selection of internet sources for each chapter; Specially designed maps to illustrate different time periods and geographical regions This richly illustrated guide provides a fascinating account of the early development of Indian culture and civilization that will appeal to all students of Indian history.
"A thematic, geographic and temporal study, The Oxford Companion to Indian Archaeology offers a definitive introduction, area-by-area, phase-by-phase, to a whole range of archaeological data in the Indian subcontinent. Using a wide variety of sources ranging from earliest excavations to the most recent findings, this companion traces the archaeological scenario of the subcontinent, from the Stone Age to A.D. 13th century."--BOOK JACKET.
Focuses On The Ideas And Work Of Alexander Cunningham And Examines The Contribution Of His Assistants-Beglar And Carlleyle. Examines The Defenitions Of Archaeological Research, The Conflict Between Archaeologists And Scholars And Different Approaches Towards The Conservation Of Historical Monuments. Reconstructs The History Of-Bodh Gaya, Sanchi And Bharat And Amravati. Useful For General Readers Interested In India`S Antiguity, Students And Researchers. Has 10 Chapters Followed By A Useful Bibliography And An Index.