Ancient Indian History for UPSC Prelims
Short notes and practice-focused material on ancient Indian history for UPSC Prelims.
1. Sources, Chronology and Prehistoric India
Meaning of prehistory, protohistory and history
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Periodization of Ancient Indian History
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Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age framework
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Archaeology as a source of ancient history
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Excavation and stratigraphy
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Carbon dating and scientific dating methods
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Archaeobotany and archaeozoology
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Epigraphy as a historical source
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Numismatics as a historical source
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Literary sources of ancient India
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Vedic literature as a source
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Buddhist literature as a source
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Jain literature as a source
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Sangam literature as a source
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Foreign accounts of ancient India
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Inscriptions and copper-plate grants
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Coins, seals and terracotta objects
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Pottery cultures and archaeological chronology
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Prehistoric environment of India
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Pleistocene and Holocene background
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Lower Palaeolithic Age
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Acheulian hand-axe tradition
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Soan Valley culture
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Narmada valley prehistoric remains
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Attirampakkam site
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Hunsgi-Baichbal valley sites
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Isampur quarry-cum-workshop
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Didwana prehistoric site
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Belan valley sequence
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Bhimbetka rock shelters
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Middle Palaeolithic tools
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Upper Palaeolithic tools
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Blade and burin industry
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Kurnool caves
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Patne site
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Mesolithic Age
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Microliths
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Langhnaj site
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Bagor site
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Adamgarh rock shelters
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Sarai Nahar Rai
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Mahadaha
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Chopani Mando
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Rock art and cave paintings
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Hunting-gathering economy
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Early domestication evidence
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Burial practices in Mesolithic India
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Fire, shelters and tool-making
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Regional variations in prehistoric cultures
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Site-culture mapping for UPSC Prelims
2. Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Megalithic and Early Iron Age Cultures
Neolithic Revolution in India
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Beginning of agriculture
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Domestication of animals
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Mehrgarh culture
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Kili Gul Muhammad
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Burzahom site
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Gufkral site
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Pit dwellings in Kashmir Neolithic
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Bone tools in Neolithic Kashmir
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Belan valley Neolithic culture
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Koldihwa site
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Mahagara site
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Chirand site
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Neolithic cultures of Bihar
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Neolithic cultures of North-East India
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Daojali Hading
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Sarutaru site
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South Indian Neolithic culture
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Ash mounds of South India
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Utnur site
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Piklihal site
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Hallur site
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Brahmagiri site
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Sanganakallu-Kupgal complex
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Tekkalakota site
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Neolithic stone axes
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Ground and polished tools
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Handmade pottery in Neolithic cultures
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Settled village life
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Chalcolithic culture: meaning and features
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Copper and stone tool combination
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Ahar-Banas culture
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Kayatha culture
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Malwa culture
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Savalda culture
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Jorwe culture
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Daimabad site
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Inamgaon site
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Nevasa site
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Navdatoli site
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Eran site
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Ochre Coloured Pottery culture
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Copper Hoard culture
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Black-and-Red Ware culture
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Painted Grey Ware background
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Megalithic culture
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South Indian megalithic burials
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Dolmens, cairns, cists and urn burials
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Iron technology and agricultural expansion
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Transition from village cultures to early states
3. Indus Valley Civilization / Harappan Civilization
Discovery of Harappan Civilization
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Harappa and Mohenjo-daro excavations
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Early, Mature and Late Harappan phases
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Geographical extent of Harappan Civilization
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Harappa site
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Mohenjo-daro site
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Dholavira site
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Rakhigarhi site
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Lothal site
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Kalibangan site
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Banawali site
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Chanhudaro site
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Sutkagendor site
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Kot Diji site
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Amri site
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Ganweriwala site
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Bhirrana site
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Manda and Alamgirpur as boundary sites
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Town planning in Harappan cities
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Citadel and lower town
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Grid pattern of streets
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Drainage system
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Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro
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Granary debate
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Dockyard at Lothal
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Water management at Dholavira
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Fortification of cities
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Burnt brick architecture
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Harappan agriculture
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Major crops of Harappans
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Domesticated animals
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Craft specialization
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Bead-making industry
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Shell, ivory and faience crafts
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Metallurgy in Harappan Civilization
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Seals and sealings
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Harappan script
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Weights and measures
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Internal trade network
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Mesopotamian trade links
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Meluhha references
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Harappan social organization
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Mother goddess debate
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Pashupati seal debate
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Fire altars at Kalibangan
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Burial practices
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Absence of clear temple-palace pattern
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Theories of Harappan political organization
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Decline of Harappan Civilization
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Harappan legacy and UPSC site-feature mapping
4. Vedic Age and Later Vedic Age
Vedic culture and its sources
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Rigveda
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Samaveda
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Yajurveda
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Atharvaveda
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Brahmanas
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Aranyakas
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Upanishads
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Vedangas
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Early Vedic geography
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Sapta Sindhu region
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Rigvedic rivers
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Bharatas, Purus and other tribes
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Battle of Ten Kings
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Jana, Vish and Grama
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Rajan in Early Vedic polity
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Sabha
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Samiti
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Vidatha
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Early Vedic pastoral economy
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Cattle wealth and gavishti
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Agriculture in Early Vedic period
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Early social divisions
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Position of women in Early Vedic society
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Early Vedic religion
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Indra, Agni, Varuna and Soma
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Rituals and sacrifices
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Later Vedic expansion into Ganga valley
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Painted Grey Ware and Vedic context
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Iron technology in Later Vedic period
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Agricultural expansion and plough use
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Emergence of janapadas
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Growth of monarchy
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Ratnins and royal officers
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Bali, Bhaga and Shulka
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Decline of Sabha and Samiti
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Consolidation of Varna system
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Gotra system
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Ashrama system
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Patriarchal family structure
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Position of women in Later Vedic period
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Rajasuya sacrifice
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Ashvamedha sacrifice
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Vajapeya sacrifice
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Brahmanical ritual dominance
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Upanishadic philosophy
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Atman, Brahman, Karma and Moksha
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Education and gurukula tradition
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Vedic Age as background to state formation
5. Mahajanapadas, Magadha and Second Urbanization
Sixteen Mahajanapadas
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Anga
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Magadha
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Kashi
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Kosala
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Vajji or Vrijji
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Malla
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Chedi
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Vatsa
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Kuru
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Panchala
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Matsya
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Surasena
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Assaka
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Avanti
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Gandhara
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Kamboja
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Monarchical states
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Gana-sanghas or republican states
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Vajji confederacy
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Second Urbanization
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Northern Black Polished Ware
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Punch-marked coins
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Rise of cities
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Gahapati and Setthi
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Shrenis or guilds
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Trade routes of ancient India
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Uttarapatha
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Dakshinapatha
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Factors behind rise of Magadha
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Iron resources and Magadha
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Elephants and military strength
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Fertile middle Ganga plain
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Bimbisara
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Ajatashatru
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Udayin and Pataliputra
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Haryanka dynasty
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Shishunaga dynasty
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Nanda dynasty
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Mahapadma Nanda
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Persian contact with north-west India
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Achaemenid influence
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Kharoshthi script background
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Alexander’s invasion
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Battle of Hydaspes
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Porus
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Greek accounts of India
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Rise of standing armies
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Taxation and administrative expansion
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Background to Buddhism, Jainism and Mauryan Empire
6. Religious and Philosophical Movements
Shramana tradition
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Causes for rise of new religious movements
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Critique of Vedic ritualism
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Jainism: basic introduction
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Rishabhanatha
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Parshvanatha
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Mahavira
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Life of Mahavira
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Triratna of Jainism
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Five vows of Jainism
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Ahimsa in Jainism
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Anekantavada
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Syadvada
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Jiva and Ajiva
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Karma and liberation in Jainism
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Digambara sect
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Shvetambara sect
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Jain Councils
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Jain Agamas
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Spread of Jainism
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Jainism and merchant communities
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Buddhist tradition
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Life of Gautama Buddha
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Four Noble Truths
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Eightfold Path
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Middle Path
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Dependent origination
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Anatta or Anatman doctrine
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Karma, rebirth and Nirvana
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Buddhist Sangha
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Vinaya rules
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First Buddhist Council
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Second Buddhist Council
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Third Buddhist Council
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Fourth Buddhist Council
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Theravada or Hinayana tradition
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Mahayana Buddhism
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Vajrayana background
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Bodhisattva ideal
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Tripitaka
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Jatakas
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Milindapanho
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Buddhist sacred sites
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Stupa and relic worship
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Merchant patronage of Buddhism
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Ajivika sect
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Makkhali Gosala
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Charvaka or Lokayata tradition
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Early Vaishnavism and Shaivism
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Impact of religious movements on society and art
7. Mauryan Empire
Sources for Mauryan history
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Arthashastra
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Megasthenes’ Indica
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Ashokan inscriptions
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Puranic references
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Buddhist and Jain traditions on Mauryas
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Chandragupta Maurya
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Chanakya or Kautilya
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Overthrow of Nandas
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Chandragupta and Seleucus Nicator
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Megasthenes at Mauryan court
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Bindusara
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Ashoka
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Kalinga War
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Ashoka’s Dhamma
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Major Rock Edicts
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Minor Rock Edicts
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Pillar Edicts
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Major Pillar Edicts
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Ashokan edict locations
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Languages and scripts of Ashokan inscriptions
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Brahmi script
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Kharoshthi script
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Greek and Aramaic inscriptions
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Dhamma Mahamatras
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Mauryan central administration
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Mantriparishad
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Amatyas and bureaucracy
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Provincial administration
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Pataliputra as imperial capital
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Arthashastra and Saptanga theory
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Mandala theory
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Espionage system
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Mauryan military organization
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Revenue administration
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Land revenue
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Trade, tolls and taxation
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State control over mines and forests
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Agriculture and irrigation
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Urban administration
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Judicial administration
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Mauryan social conditions
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Mauryan economy
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Mauryan art
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Polished stone pillars
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Sarnath Lion Capital
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Barabar caves
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Ashoka and Buddhism
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Decline of Mauryan Empire
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Mauryan legacy in Indian polity and culture
8. Post-Mauryan India, Foreign Contacts, Satavahanas and Trade
Post-Mauryan political fragmentation
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Shunga dynasty
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Pushyamitra Shunga
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Kanva dynasty
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Indo-Greeks
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Demetrius
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Menander or Milinda
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Indo-Greek coinage
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Shakas or Scythians
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Western Kshatrapas
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Rudradaman I
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Junagadh inscription
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Parthians
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Gondophares
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Kushanas
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Kujula Kadphises
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Vima Kadphises
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Kanishka
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Kanishka’s empire
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Kushana capitals: Purushapura and Mathura
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Kushana administration
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Kushana coinage
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Kanishka and Buddhism
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Gandhara art
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Mathura art
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Central Asian contacts
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Silk Route trade
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Roman trade with India
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Periplus of the Erythraean Sea
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Pliny’s reference to Indian trade
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Satavahana dynasty
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Simuka
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Gautamiputra Satakarni
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Vashishthiputra Pulumavi
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Satavahana administration
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Aharas and administrative divisions
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Satavahana coinage
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Prakrit inscriptions
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Nasik cave inscriptions
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Karle cave inscriptions
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Chaityas and viharas in Deccan
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Amaravati stupa
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Nagarjunakonda
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Ikshvakus of Andhra
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Deccan trade routes
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Guilds and donations
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Craft production in post-Mauryan period
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Indo-Roman ports and trade goods
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Social assimilation of foreign groups
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Cultural significance of post-Mauryan period
9. Early South India and Sangam Age
Megalithic background of South India
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Iron Age in South India
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Tamilakam geography
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Sources for Sangam Age
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Sangam literature
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Ettuthokai
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Pattuppattu
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Tolkappiyam
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Pathinenkilkanakku texts
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Three Crowned Kings
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Early Cholas
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Karikala Chola
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Uraiyur
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Puhar or Kaveripattinam
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Early Cheras
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Senguttuvan Chera
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Muziris port
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Early Pandyas
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Madurai
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Nedunjeliyan
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Sangam polity
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Role of chiefs and Velir
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Hero stones
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Tinai ecological classification
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Kurinji landscape
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Mullai landscape
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Marutham landscape
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Neythal landscape
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Palai landscape
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Sangam economy
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Agriculture in Sangam Age
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Irrigation and tanks
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Cattle rearing and pastoralism
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Salt production and fishing
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Maritime trade
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Yavanas in South India
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Roman coins in South India
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Arikamedu
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Alagankulam
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Korkai port
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Tondi port
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Social structure in Sangam texts
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Position of women in Sangam society
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Sangam religious practices
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Murugan worship
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Hero worship
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Jainism and Buddhism in South India
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Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions
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Kalabhra interregnum
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Sangam site-dynasty-literature mapping
10. Gupta Age and Classical India
Sources for Gupta history
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Allahabad Pillar inscription
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Gupta genealogy
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Sri Gupta and Ghatotkacha
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Chandragupta I
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Samudragupta
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Samudragupta’s conquests
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Prashasti tradition
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Harisena
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Chandragupta II Vikramaditya
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Defeat of Shakas
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Kumaragupta I
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Skandagupta
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Huna invasions
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Decline of Gupta Empire
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Gupta administration
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Bhukti and Vishaya
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Uparika and Vishayapati
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Land grants
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Feudal tendencies debate
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Taxation under Guptas
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Agrarian expansion
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Guilds under Guptas
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Gupta coinage
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Gold dinars
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Trade and urban centres
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Society under Guptas
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Varna-jati structure
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Position of women
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References to untouchability
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Vaishnavism under Guptas
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Shaivism under Guptas
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Shakti worship
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Puranic Hinduism
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Temple worship
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Buddhism and Jainism
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Sanskritization
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Sanskrit literature
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Kalidasa
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Vishakhadatta
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Shudraka
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Aryabhata
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Varahamihira
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Decimal system and mathematics
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Ayurveda and medical traditions
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Gupta art
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Sarnath school of art
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Mathura school during Gupta period
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Ajanta paintings
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Gupta Age: Golden Age debate and UPSC cautions
11. Post-Gupta, Harsha and Early Medieval Regional Kingdoms
Later Guptas
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Maukharis
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Pushyabhuti dynasty
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Harshavardhana
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Harshacharita
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Banabhatta
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Xuanzang’s account
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Harsha’s administration
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Kanauj as political centre
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Harsha’s religious policy
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Nalanda under Harsha
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Shashanka of Gauda
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Maitrakas of Valabhi
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Vakatakas
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Pravarasena and Vakataka polity
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Vakatakas and Ajanta
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Pallavas
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Simhavishnu
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Mahendravarman I
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Narasimhavarman I
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Kanchipuram
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Mamallapuram
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Chalukyas of Badami
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Pulakeshin II
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Aihole inscription
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Pallava-Chalukya conflict
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Rashtrakutas
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Dantidurga
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Krishna I
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Amoghavarsha
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Kailasa temple at Ellora
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Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi
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Western Chalukyas in late 10th century
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Palas of Bengal
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Gopala
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Dharmapala
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Devapala
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Vikramashila and Odantapuri
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Gurjara-Pratiharas
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Nagabhata I
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Mihira Bhoja
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Tripartite struggle for Kannauj
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Rajput political formation
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Chahamanas or Chauhans
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Paramaras
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Chandellas
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Kashmir under Karkotas
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Lalitaditya Muktapida
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Arab conquest of Sindh
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Early Cholas up to Rajaraja I
12. Society, Economy, Art, Architecture, Literature and Science up to 1000 AD
Varna system in ancient India
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Jati formation
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Purusharthas
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Dharmashastra tradition
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Manusmriti
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Yajnavalkya Smriti
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Marriage forms
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Stridhana
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Position of women in ancient India
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Untouchability and social exclusion
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Slavery and labour relations
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Social mobility and Sanskritization
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Brahmadeya grants
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Agrahara settlements
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Temple economy
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Peasantization and tribal integration
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Guilds and craft organizations
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Inland trade routes
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Maritime trade routes
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Ancient ports of India
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Coinage and monetization
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Urbanization phases
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Stupa architecture
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Chaitya halls
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Viharas
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Rock-cut architecture
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Temple architecture basics
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Nagara style
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Dravida style
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Vesara style
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Gupta temples
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Pallava architecture
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Chalukya architecture
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Rashtrakuta architecture
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Early Odisha/Kalinga architecture
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Early Khajuraho temples
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Gandhara school of art
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Mathura school of art
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Amaravati school of art
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Bagh paintings
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Ellora caves
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Hindu, Buddhist and Jain iconography
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Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali and Tamil literature
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Panini, Patanjali and grammar tradition
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Mathematics and astronomy
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Ayurveda, surgery and metallurgy
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Ancient universities and centres of learning: Taxila, Nalanda, Valabhi, Vikramashila