Indian History - Part 1

A Brief History of India

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What is history ?

Pre history

Proto- history

History



Stone Age.



Human Evolution in Africa: ~200K years ago

Source: http://www.personal.psu.edu/erh5000/human_evolution.html



Last Ice Age: 120K years - 12K years



65K years ago: Migration out of Africa

Source: http://www.upf.edu/cexs/actualitat/genographic.html



Founder Crops

Domestication of Wheat, Barley, Peas, Chickpeas, lentils and flax about 11500 years ago.



Sources of studying history

Epigraphy- study of inscriptions or edicts

Paleography - decoding of old script

Numismatics study of coins



Geological Archealogical Mode of Production Life style Pleistocene(Ice age) Palaeolithic Gathering Migratory Mesolithic Hunting Holocene Neolithic Age Pastoralism Chalcolithic Agrarian economy Settled Agriculture Iron age

Tools Mesolithic Microliths later become compoliths Bhimbhetka,MP Neolithic Wheel,Crafts ,but tools worked by Hands Chalcolithic Stone &copper Indus valley civilization



30K years ago: Paintings of Cave Men

Bimbeketa, Madhya Pradesh




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River valleys just above the Tropic of Cancer

produced the 4 ancient civilizations.

1

2

3 4



9000 years ago: Mehrgarh



5300 years ago: Discovery of Bronze



Timeline of Indus Valley Civilization

1 Settlement MEHRGARH -6000B.C Earliest Agrarian Economy

2 Indus valley civilization-3000 B.C -1500 B.C



Indus Valley Civilization (3300 BC - 1500 BC) ...the structure of their cities were so far advanced that it was not surpassed

until the late nineteenth century in Europe...



1056 cities and human settlements found so far. More than 5 million inhabitants..



Grid like patterns for cities



Citadel at the center of the city



Advanced town planning & Municipal corporations



Modern drainage systems



No central authority. No warfare.



Extensive Art Work.



Mysterious Scripts



Global Trade of Indus Valley Gold &Jade from Southern India. Copper from Afghanistan. Turquoise from Iran. All paid with cotton and pottery. Development of transportation systems: boats (with docks) & bullock carts.



Early Hinduism. Pashupathi Seals.



1700 BC: End of Civilization around Indus.

Global climactic changes

Weather

got cooler

and drier

Monsoon

Patterns

Changed

River

Courses

Changed

Trade

Floundered

People migrated to Gangetic plains and southern India.



Contributions

Discovery of cotton Invention of pottery Modern Metallurgy



Vedic Era Iron Age (1500 BC - 300 BC)



The Rise of Vedas

Rig Veda Sama Veda

Yajur Veda

Atharva Veda



Vedic literature

Shruti- Samhita Brahmanas

Smriti- Vedangas, Dharmshastras, Mahakavyas Puranas, Upavedas, Shad-darshanas (Indian Philosphy ,6 systems)




Veda Brahmana

Rigveda (2)Aitreya

Samaveda (6)

Yajurveda (10)Shatapatha

Atharva (1)


Megaliths :

These were burial sites that were mainly prominent in the southern India but were also existing in other regions(North east and Kashmir ).

These burial sites have some things in common they were buried along with pots which are called red and black ware.

Tools and weapons of iron and skeletons of horses equipment and ornaments of stone and gold were also found

Eg : Brahmagiri : Here one skeleton was buried with 33 gold beads, 2 stone beads, 4 copper bangles, and one conch shell. Inamgaon (on the river ghod a tributary of Bhima):Adults were buried in the

ground.Many a times in the house.



Comparison of Rig-Vedic Age and Later Vedic age

Geographical extent

Economy

Polity

Society

Religion



Recording of Indian History Begins.



Second urbanisation of Gangetic valley

6 cities had special status Mahanagaras(Anga,Magadha,Kosala,Panchala,Kuru,Avanti Gandhara)

Mahajanapadas were of Two types Magadha(Janapada ruled by King) Vajji (Ruled by Gana or Sangha)

Currency begins to appear made of silver or copper But they were

not issued by state but by merchants

Increased use of iron and emergence ,new technology like paddy transplant .

Massive intellectual ferment 62 unorthodox sects emerge www.classmateacademy.com 53



Ashwamedha: A horse left to move over different territories once it returned unaffected then sacrifice is performed. Rajasuya :After returning from a successful military campaign, officially giving the crown . Vajapeya : To maintain Social harmony in the kingdom ,many sages were called an discussions happened.


The Earliest Punch Marked Coins :



Mahajanapadas: Rise of Republics

Magadha Kuru

Kashi Vriji

Panchala Kosala

Kamboja Gandhara

Malla Chedi

Machcha Surasena Kalinga

Assaka Avanti Vatsa

Anga Yona



Kingdoms start merging



Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha: Second known dynasty of India

Bimbisara Ajathasatru

Starts expanding Magadha. Builds a highly powerful and Early supporter of Buddha fearsome Magadha force.



Ajathasatru empire. Rivals the size of Persian

empire under Cyrus.



Nanda Empire Ajathasatru was succeeded by Shishunga dynasty

and then the Nanda dynasty.

Nandas were extremely unpopular and were reportedly cruel. They denied help to other Indian kings besieged by alien invasions.



Kingdoms of Ancient Magadha

Brihadratha Haryanka Shishunga Nanda

Unknown 6th century 5th century 4th century



Extent of Cyrus the Great of Persia.



400 BC. Takshashila: Indias first University at the crossroads of Persia and India.



Taxila: Students entered at 16 and learned a variety of arts - from archery to physics and religion from masters.

Charaka Panini Chanakya Father of Medicine Grammarian Military Strategist



326 BC: Alexander Attacks India

Ambi - the ruler of Taxila submits to Alexander.



Battle of Hydaspes.

King Porus (Purushotam) of Purushapura (Peshawar) resists Alexander although losing the battle.

Excellent Video documentary in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WvgzOa2rko



Alexanders army refuses to go further east, fearing the mighty Nanda Empire. For they were told that the kings of the Ganderites and Praesii were awaiting them with eighty thousand

horsemen, two hundred thousand footmen, eight thousand chariots, and six thousand fighting elephants.



Chandragupta Maurya: First Major Emperor begins Consolidation



Mauryan Dyansty: BC 323 to 183 BC

Chandragupta (Sandro kotas ) Bindusara (Amitragaghatus)-conquered all south and deccan except Kalinga (Deimachus) second Ambassador to serve India . Ashoka . Kalinga war and Dhamma Ashokan Edicts -Major (Govt,official policies) and Minor(Life of Ashoka) Major Rock Inscriptions ,Pillar Inscription ,Cave Inscriptions Dasaratha Grand son of Ashoka Samprathi Brihadratha Last mauryan ruler




Earliest-Language Works: Pannis-Ashtadhyayi B.C 500(First Path Breaking work on

sanskrit) Patanjali-Mahabhashya B.C 200(commentary on

Ashtadhyayi) Ashokan Edicts: 3 languages 4 scripts Prakrit Brahmi ,Kharosthi Greek Aramic



Vedangas (to understand veda)

Shiksha : phonetics, phonology andmorphophonology (sandhi) Kalpa : ritual Vyakarana : grammar Nirukta : etymology Chandas : meter Jyotisha : Astrology

Dharmshastras, Manusmriti,YagnavalakyaSmriti Naradsmiriti

Mahakavyas

Mahabharata Ramanya

Puranas,

Agni,Garuda,Matsya

Upavedas,

Dhanurveda,Ayurveda,Gandharvaveda,Sthapatyaveda

Shad-darshanas (Indian Philosphy ,6 systems

Samkhya,Yoga,Nyaya,Vaisheshika,Mimamsa,Vedanta

Smriti :


With Chanakyas strategy Chandragupta pushes Greeks out of South Asia



Rise of Ashoka.

Political Integration of India. (269-232 BC)



Battle of Kalinga (261 BC)

turns Ashoka to a pacifist.



Heartbroken by a brutal war with Kalinga, Ashoka turns Pacifist. Spreads Buddhism all over old world.



A golden age for India.

40% of world population and close to 50% of world GDP was from Ashoka. Continues the great work of his father Bindusara & grandfather Chandragupta.



Ashokas Legacy

Stupas & other Moral Symbols First major buildings written language




Upanishads: more than 200 (Adi-shankaracharya talks of 11 Mukhya upanishads) Brhadaranyaka and the Chandogya are the two earliest Upanishads

Katha

Mundaka

Central Principle : Tat-tvam-Asi(Chandogya Upanishad): You(Atma) are that(Brahma) and that is you. "Aham brahmsmi : Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Advaita Different Paths : Karma Marg Bhakti Marg Gyana Marg


6th Century: Turning Point

Siddhartha Gautama: Vardhamana Mahavira:

563 BC to 480 BC 599 BC to 527 BC

Buddhism Jainism



Religious Movements

Bhuddism Gautam Siddhartha-Sakya Tribe-Kapilavastu Born Lumbini Nirvana-Bodh Gaya Pepal tree Sarnath- first sermon-Dharma Chakrapravarthana Last sermon-KushiNagar 4-Noble Truths Life is full of sorrows Sorrows are caused by desires If desires are controlled sorrows can be controlled Ashtanga Marga 8 Fold path-vision,aim,speech,livelihood,effort, 4 Councils 1 Rajgriha Suttapitaka,Vinayapitaka (Ajatashatruvu) (teachings)(Code for nuns)(Pali) 2 Vaishali no text but groupism emerges 3 Pataliputra Abhidammapitaka (Ashoka) (Philosophical Interpetation) 4 Kashmir Groups-Mahayana vs Hinayana (Kanishnka) (Bodhisatva)(original teachings) (Vaipulya Sutras) Vajrayana (related to Mahayana) (Tantrik form of worship related to Tara)

Jainism Thirthankara-Path maker (Great Teacher) 1-Rishabha,16-Shanthinath,23-Parasvanath,24-Mahavira Vardhaman-Gyanthrika Tribe- Kaivalya ,sal tree Nirgrandha(free from fetters ) 5 cardinal principles Satya-Truth Ahimsa-Non-violence Asteya-No property Apagraha-Nostealing Brahmacharya-observing continence(added by mahavira) Shvethambaras Vs Digambaras (Sthulabahu) (Badrabahu) Councils 1 Pataliputra 12 Angas(compiled) (Sthulabahu) 2 Valabhi 12 Angas &12Upangas



Mauryan Emperors Try Different Religious Sects

Chandragupta Bindusara Ashoka

Jainism Ajvika Buddhism

Ashokas Mauryan successors go directionless.



185 BC: Within 50 years of Ashokas death, Pushyamitra Sunga does the first military coup in India assassinating Mauryan emperor Brihadratha.



Classical Age.

(200 BC - 1100 AD) Greatest works of Indian art would be created.



Post Mauryan Era :

Indigenous dynasties- Sungas-Pushyamitra sunga Kanvas,-Vasudeva Satavahanas,-(Brahmin and contemporary to Sakas) Simukha-Founder

Satakarni-1(wife Nanaghat Inscription) ashwamedha,conflict with Kharavela Hala-famous for his compositions in Prakrit ghatasapthasati Lilavati-marriage

Gautamiputra satakarni(Nasik Inscription by mother) Vashishta putra Satkarni -Rudradaman Chetas-Kalinga Kharavela-Hathigumpa Inscription

Foreign dynasties Indo Greeks-Bacterian greeks Milinda panho by Nagasena(dialogue Between nagasena and menander). Sakas Rudradaman 1 Junagarh Inscription-Sudarshan Lake (1 sanskrit inscription in kavya style) Parthians Gandopfenus (landing of st.thomas in kerala ) Kushanas Kanishka most famous patronised gandhara and mathura school of art charakha,sushrutha

Sangam literature- at Madurai 3 phases 1 phase lengthiest but no surviving text 2 meeting Tolkapiyyar-Tolkappiyam(oldest grammar book) Thiruvalluar-Tirukkural(Philosphy and wise maxims) Silapadikkaram-Oldest epic Manimekalai

Dark Age-BC200 to AD 300 Trade increased-Monsoon and Silk Route guilds and technological changes allround development of art and architecture www.classmateacademy.com 93


India at the time of Christ



Muvender : Chola+Chera+Pandya



India faces Globalization End of Mauryas causes confusion all over India. Without a strong emperor, India is attacked by Central Asian nomads. From 230 BC to 320 AD, India is ruled by many kings and there is an huge interchange of art and culture all over Asia and Greece.



Migration of the Yuezhi to India.



Invasion of northern India by Kanishka(from central Asia) causes an explosion of art interactions among Greece, Persia, Bactria and India.



Satvahanas: Consolidation of Middle India. 230 BC to 220 AD.

Created the present world heritage sites of Ajantha, Ellora and Amaravati.



Trade flourishes among Egypt, Rome, Arabia and India



Gupta Empire (320-550 AD)

Vikram era First historical Era (B.C.58) Saka era Kanishka Era (A.D-78)

Gupta Dynasty (Vaishya) Srigupta-founder

Chandragupta -1 (Maharadhiraja) Vajjikas-Kaumudi Mahotsav tells us about him Samudragupta Indian Napolean Allahabad Inscription-Harisena Land grants,Gold coins Chandragupta-2 (Vikramaditya) Vishaka Dutta-Devichandraguptam,Mudrakshara Meharauli Iron Inscription. Kumaragupta-1 Nalanda university-2 Buddhist university, 1-Nagarjuna university. SkandaGupta Huna Invasion

Achievements of Gupta Era Literature Chandragupta-2-Navaratnas Kalidasa-AbhijnanaShakuntalam,Meghdootam, Raghuvamsham,Kumarasambhavam Vishakhadatta-Devichandraguptam Vajjika-Kaumidi Mahotsav Shudrak-Mrichchhakatika Advances in Sciences Aryabhatta-Surya &Arya Siddhanta Astronomer,zero decimal Varahamira-Astrology(Pancha siddhanta,Brihatsamhita) Amarasimha :Amarakosha BrahmaGupta- Brhmasphuasiddhnta Indian Newton Vatsayana : Kamasutra Paintings Ajanta &Ellora caves. Temple Beginning of temple architecture The Nagara style



Chandrgupta - I

Yet another Chandragupta emerges to fight alien powers in India. Marries a Lichchhavi princess & gets Magadha kingdom as dowry. Starts

massive expansion.



Gupta Dynasty

Age of Innovations (320 - 520 AD)

Chess

Place value system

University

Sex Education



Numeric system originates in Gupta Era.



Top scientists of Gupta era

Varahamihira Aryabhatta Shushruta Trignometry, Optics, Approxmated Pi, decimal system Father of modern surgery. Author

Arithmetic and (0), algebra, heliocentrism, of Shushtrua Samhita. calculation of equinox. explanation of eclipses.

Other great scientists: Brahmagupta (first to use 0), Bhaskara - I.



4th century Nalanda University: Heights of Indian Education System.



The two Chinese Scholars who helped document Indias classical era.

Xuanzhang Faxian 6th century anathan 4th centuryndaU.com www.classmateacademy.com 118


After two centuries of attacks, Hunas

finally end Gupta Empire in 530 AD



Emperor Harsha Vardhana drives away the Hunas and tries to reunite India after 100 years of disintegration. After 40 years of rule, his empire disintegrates at his death.



Post Gupta A.D 550-A.D750

Harshavardhana (606-646) Thaneshwar Pushyabhuthi Dynasty Fahein-Chandragupta-2 Huien Tsang-Harsha I.Sting -670A.D Literary works Harsha-Nagananda,Ratnavali,Priyadarshika Bana-Harshacharitra

Deccan Early chalukyas-Chalukya of Badami,Vatapi Pulakesin-1 Founder Pulakesin-2 Stopped Harsha ,Involved with Narasimhavarman of Pallavas Aihole Inscription by Ravikeerthi Vatapi,Aihole,Pattadakal famous cultural centres Deccan-Vesara Architecture

Pallavas of Kanchipuram (550-900 AD) NarasimhaVarman-1 killed Pulakesin-2 Ratha Temples of Mamallapuram Narasimhavarman-2 Shore Temples Beginning of Dravidian architecture



Pallava Dynasty (2nd - 9th century AD): Period of extraordinary architecture.



Battle of Rajasthan: 738 AD.

An alliance of Hindu rulers led by Vikramaditya - II defeat Arabs and ends Islamic expansion towards east.



Documents

Indian History - Part 1