Module Code and Title            : IHS101 Ancient Indian History

Programme                             : BA in History and Dzongkha

Credit Value                            : 12

Module Tutor                           : Saurav Chaliha

General Objectives

The objective of this module is to introduce students to the history of Ancient India and make students understand the beginning of Indian History. This module will also make students understand the origin of urbanization through the study of Indus Valley Civilization. They will also be acquainted with different periods and the transformation of India with regard to her society, religion and the emergence of states in India.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module students will be able to:

1. identify the different sources of Ancient Indian history
2. describe the characteristics of the Harrapan Civilization
3. discuss the age of Rig Veda and the later Vedic period
4. describe the reasons for the origin and decline of Jainism and Buddhism in India
5. compare and contrast the roles of Buddha and Mahavira
6. recall the history of Ashoka and his role in the rise of Magadhan Empire
7. identify the state, society and religion of the Gupta Age
8. explain the origin and significance of Bhakti cult

Learning and Teaching approach:

Assessment approach: The students will be assessed on a continuous basis as given below:

A. Assignment: 20% of internal assessment

The students will have to write 2 assignments for this module. The first assignment will have to be written individually consisting of 10% and the second assignment will be a group work consisting of 10% and the remaining 5% will be assigned for Viva Voce

B. Class Test :20 % of internal assessment

Two class tests will be conducted after the completion of second and fourth unit respectively, each worth of 10%.

C. Presentation: 10% of internal assessment

For this module, students will have to make a presentation each on a topic   assigned by the tutor.

D. Semester-end Examination: 50%

Semester end Examination will be of 50% for this module

Overview of the assessment approaches and weighting

Pre requisite: N/A

Subject Matter

Unit I:  Introduction to Ancient India

• The importance of Ancient Indian History
• Types of sources and historical construction
• The stone age and the chalcolithic farming cultures in India

Unit II: The Indus Valley / Harrapan Civilization

• The Discovery of Harappa
• The great cities of Indus Valley
• Harrapan Culture, Society and Religion

Unit III: Maturity and the end of Harrapan Civilization

• The Aryans and the Rig Vedic Age
• The Aryan society, Culture, and religion
• The beginning of the Aryan dominance in India

Unit IV: Later Vedic Period

• The transition to state and social orders
• The Iron Phase culture and the Later Vedic Economy
• The State politics and the society

Unit V: Growth of Jainism and Buddhism

• Causes and the origin Jainism and Buddhism
• The teachings of Buddha and Mahavira and their contribution
• The difference between Jainism and Buddhism
• The importance and the influence of Buddhism and Jainism
• Causes for the decline of Buddhism and Jainism

Unit VI: The Magadhan Empire

• The formation of territorial states and the rise of Mauryas
• Chndragupta Maurya and the imperial organizations
• The socio-political and economic structure of the Mauryan state
• Ashoka and his contribution to Buddhism

Unit VII: Gupta Empire

• The rise and growth of Gupta Empire
• Contributions of Samudra Gupta and Chandra Gupta II
• The Socio- economic life in the Gupta period
• The decline of Buddhism and the Hindu Synthesis
• Origin and growth of Bhagvatism
• Literature, science and technology under the Guptas
• Decline of the Gupta Empire

Reading List:

Essential reading:

Basham, A.L. (1992). The wonder that was India. India: South Asia Books

Jha, D.N. (2003). Ancient India: An Introductory Outline. New Delhi: People’s Publishing   Private Ltd

Majumdar, R.C. (2007). Ancient India. Delhi: Motilal Banarsi Das Publishers Ltd.

Smith, V.A., & Spear, P.(2008). The Oxford History of India. 4^th edition. New Delhi:

            Oxford University Press

Tripathi, R.S. (2006). History of Ancient India. Delhi: Motilal Banarsi Das Publishers Ltd.

            Hyderabad: Orient Longman.

Additional reading:

Burns, E., Ralph, P., Lerner,R., & Meacham, S.(1991). World Civilizations. Vol-A. New Delhi:

 Goyal Saab Publishers & Distributors

Chandra, L. (1990). Cultural Horizons of India. (Vol-I to VII). New Delhi: Crescent Printing Works.

Kosambi, D.D. (1981). The Culture and civilization of anceint India. 8^th Edition. New Delhi:            Vikas Publsihing Private Ltd.

Rangarajan, L.N. (1992). The Artha Shastra. India: Penguin Books.

Date: May, 2015