Sources of Ancient Indian History »
- Pliocene deposits: in Siwaliks. It is known as Ramapitheus, a type of early hominid.
- Inscriptions: either on stone or on metal plates are old records of Ancient India. The study of inscriptions is called epigraphy.
- Coins: The study of coins is called numismatics.
The Punch Mark Coins [silver & copper] are the earliest coins of India.
- Monuments: Monuments reflect the material prosperity and development of culture e.g. Taxshila monuments about Kushans and Stupas, Chaityas and Vihars about Maurya.
- Vedas: Vedas point out features and development of different dynasties, e.g. Rigveda deals with Archery and known as “The first testament of mankind.”
– Samveda says about the art of music [i.e. melodies]
– Yajurveda: It is known as ritual Veda.
– Atharvaveda: It is the latest of the four. It is about beliefs and superstitions.
- Upanishad: It is anti-ritualistic in nature. It deals about the theories of creation of the universe and doctrine of action.
- Sutras: Sutras deal about rituals, Sanskaras, social life, Medical science etc.
- Puranas: Puranas describe the genealogies of various royal dynasties, i.e. Mauiya, Andhra, Shishunag, Gupta, etc.
- Jatak Kathas: These are the parts of art and literature of 3rd century B.C.
- Arthashastra: It is the analysis of political and economic conditions of the Mauryas, composed by • Kautilya (Chanakya].
- Mudrarakshasa: It tells about the establishment of the Maurya dynasty, the fall of Nanda, Ramgupta, etc.
- Rajtarangini: It was written by Kalhana in 12th century A.D. it is about the rulers of Kashmir. It is considered the, “first historical book of India”.
- Foreign travellers wrote about the information of India. For examples.
Megasthenes: He wrote book, “INDICA” about the dynasty of Maurya.
Fahien: He wrote about the Gupta Emperor.
Hieun-Tsang: He wrote about the Buddhist record of the western world during period of Harshavardhan.
Albiruni: He wrote ‘ Tarikh-ul-Hind.
Ibna-Batuta: He wrote about India under the rule of Muhammad Tughlaq.