:: St. Joseph's Evening College ::

Syllabus History

I SEMESTER

History, society and Culture: Ancient Period

OBJECTIVES
• To help the students to acquire knowledge about the Ancient past of our country
• To provide foundation for the study of the other branches of history
• To enable the students to appreciate the cultural heritage

UNIT I:
Introduction: Definition of History - Importance of Study of History; Survey of Sources - Influence of Geography on Indian History. Harappan Civilization - Urban Planning - Society and Religion - Trade Contacts - Indus seals & script - Recent Excavations (Surkotada, Kot-Diji, Ropar, Alamgirpur) (15 hours)

UNIT II: Vedic Period - Early Vedic Period - Pastoral Society, Rajanya and Assemblies. Later Vedic Period - Polity, Society and Religion. Vedic Literature & Science. (15 hours)

UNIT III:
A) Movements of Dissent & Protest: Importance of 6th C BC - Jainism and Buddhism - Contribution of Jainism and Buddhism to Indian Culture B) The Mauryan Age: Foundation of Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta Maurya - Kautilyan Principles. Ashoka - Kalinga War - Principles of Ashoka’sDhamma - State and Society -Mahayana Buddhism. Gandhara Art. (20 hours)

UNIT IV: The Gupta Age: Gupta Empire (Samudra Gupta & Chandragupta II) Gupta Cultural Legacy - Art, Literature –society and Economic Conditions. Nalanda University. Pallava Art and Architecture, Cholas Administration, Art and Architecture. (20 hours)

MAP WORK (5 hours)
PLACES OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE:
1. Harappa
2. Mohenjo-Daro
3. Lothal
4. Bodhgaya
5. Pataliputra
6. Saranath
7. Sanchi
8. Kanchi
9. Prayag
10. Hastinapura (Old Delhi)
11. Ujjain
12. Nalanda
13. Mathura
14. GangaikondaCholapuram
15. Ellora
16. Ajantha
17. Mahabalipuram
18. Tanjore
19. Amaravati
20. Maski

Books for Study and Reference:
1. R.C.Majumdar et al. : Advanced History of India
2. D.D. Kosambi: An Introduction to Indian History
3. RomilaThapar: Ancient India
4. RomilaThapar: Ancient Indian History
5. R. S. Sharma: Indian Feudalism
6. R. S. Sharma: History of Indian Political leaders and Institutions
7. A.S. Altekar: State and Government in ancient India.
8. U. N. Goshal: History of Indian Political Ideas.
9. R. G. Bhndarkar: Political Ideology in Ancient India
10. R. G. Bhandarkar: Early History of Deccan (Two Vols.)
11. K.A. NilakantaShastry: A History of South India
12. A. L. Bhashyam: The Wonder that was India
13. H.V. SreenivasaMurthy: History and Culture of South India to 1000 A.D.

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