Pre-Historic Period
The earliest traces of human existence in India sofar discovered is between 4,00,000 and 2,00,000
BC from Sohan valley (now in Pakistan)
Neolithic settlements in Indian subcontinent are
not older than 4000 BC.
Wheat and barley were the first cereals grown by
Indians.
The name India was derived from the rivername
Sindhu which is also known as Indus.
India was originally considered as a part of a larger
area called Jambu-dvipa (The continent of Jambu
tree)
Krita, Treta, Dwapara and Kali are the four ages
of traditional Hindu thought.
Gulf of Cambut Culture
The Gulf of Cambut culture which was discovered
recently from the Bay of Cambut in Gujarat
dates back to 7500 BC.
This was found out by the National Institute of
Open Technology (NIOT).
Indus Valley Civilisation
The Harappan culture spread over the whole of
Sind, Baluchistan, almost the whole of Punjab,
northern Rajasthan, Kathiawar and Gujarat.
Harappa the first Indus site, was discovered by
Dayaram Sahni in 1921. It is situated in the province
of West Punjab, Montgeomery district in Pakistan.
Harappa is located on the bank of river Ravi.
Mohanjedaro was excavated in 1922 by R.D.
Banarjee. It is situated in the Larkhana district in
Sind on the right bank of river Indus (Now in
Pakistan)
The Great Granery, the Great Bath a piece of
woven cotton, a beared man in steatite and a
bronze dancing girl are found from Mohanjedaro.
An assembly hall was also discovered from
Mohanjodaro.
The most important feature of Harappan
civilisation was town planning and urbanism.
The word Mohanjedaro in Sindi language means
‘the mount of the dead’.
Mohanjodaro was believed to have destructed
by flood.
Harappans knew the art of growing cereals, wheat
and barley.
Banawali is situated in Hariyana.
Chanhudaro, discovered by N. Gopal Majundar
and Mackey, is situated in Sind on the bank of
river Indus.
Kalibangan, another famous Indus city discovered
in 1953 by A Ghosh, is situated in Rajasthan
on the banks of River Ghaggar. Kalibangan stands
for black bangles.
Lothal, first man made port in the world and dockyard
made of burnt bricks, was discovered in 1953
by S.R. Rao is situated in Gujarat on Bhogava
river near Gulf of Cambay.
Ropar is the site situated in Punjab on the banks
of river Sutlej. It was discovered in 1953 by
Y.D.Sharma.
Harappan people were the earliest people in the
world to grow cotton and rice.
People cultivated rice at Lothal and Rangpur and
barley at Benawali.
Harappan people domesticated oxen, buffaloes,
goats, camel, sheeps, domestic fowls and pigs.
Humped bulls were given special importance.
Horses were unknown to the Harappan people.
Indus people had trade contacts with Persian Gulf
and Mesopotamia.
The ancient name given to Indus region was
Meluha.
Indus people used a gold - silver mixture called
Electrum.
They used bronze and copper but iron was unknown
to them.
Indus people were the first to use copper in India.
Harappans used a system of weights and measures
based on 16 and its multiples.
The chief male deity of the Indus people was
Pasupati Mahadeva (Porto Siva).
Their Chief female deity was the Mother Goddess.
They also worshipped fire, pipal trees and Unicorn.
Harappan script was Pictographic in nature, which
has not been desciphered so far.
Harappan seals were made of Terra - Cotta.
Chess - like game of Harappans was called Sent.
Indus Valley civilisation belongs to the
Chalcolithic period dated between 3000 BC and
1500 BC. It is a Bronze Age civilisation or a proto
Historic civilisation.
The largest number of Harappan sites in post independent
India have been discovered from
Gujarat.
Harappan civilisation extended from Jammu in the
North to Narmada in the South and from Makran
coast of Baluchistan in the West to Meerat in the
East.
The Northern most point of Indus valley
civilisation was Gumla in Jammu and the Southernmost
was Daimbad.
Floods and Earthquakes, change in the course of
river Indus, aridity of the area, or drying up of
river Ghaggar, the invasion of Aryans are the supposed
reasons for the decline of the civilisation
towards 1500 BC.
Vedic Age
Vedic Age is the period of Aryans in India from
1500 - 500 BC.
Most Probable Home of the Aryans is Central
Asia. This theory is of Max Muller.
The word Aryan literally means high born, but it
generally refers to language.
The word ‘Veda’ is derived from the word ‘vid’
which means knowledge.
Vedas are the oldest literary works of mankind.
Vedas are four in number, they are Rig Veda,
Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharva Veda. Rig veda
is the oldest veda.
Vedas are collectively known as Sruti
Vedangas are collectively known as Smriti
Vedangas are six in number. They are,
Siksha - Phonetic
Kalpa - Ritual
Vyakarana - Grammar
Nirukta - Etymology
Chhanda - Metrics and
Jyotisha - Astronomy
There are 1028 hymns in Rigveda. It is divided
into ten Mandalas (Chapters).
Rig Vedic Hymns sung by priests were called
Hotris.
‘Sruti’ literature belonged to the Sathyayuga,
Smriti belonged to Treatayuga, Puranas belonged
to Dwaparayuga and Thanthra literature belonged
to Kaliyuga.
Rigveda starts with the line ‘Agnimele Purohitam’
Famous Gayatri Mantra is contained in the
Rigveda (It is believed to have composed by
Vishwamitra)
Yajurveda deals with sacrifices and rituals.
Yajurvedic hymns are meant to be sung by priests
called ‘Adhavaryu’.
Yajurveda is derived into two: SuklaYajurveda
(White Yajurveda) and Krishna Yajur Veda (Black
Yajurveda)
Sama Veda deals with Music.
Sama Vedic hymns are meant to be sung by priests
called Udgatri.
Atharva veda is a collection of spells and incantations.
Ayurveda is a part of Atharva Veda, which
deals with medicine.
The saying, ‘‘War begins in the minds of men’’ is
from Atharva Veda.
The 10th Mandala of Rigveda contain the
Purusha Sukta hymn which tells about the origin
of caste system.
Upanishads are 108 in number. Upanishads are
philosophical works
Upanishads are known as the Jnanakantas of
Vedas.
The words ‘Sathyameva Jayate’ have been taken
from ‘Mundaka Upanishad’
Brahdaranya Upanishad was the first to give the
doctrine of Transmigration of Soul and Karma.
Puranas are the part of Smriti literature. They are
18 in number 6 vishnupuranas, 6 sivapuranas and
6 Brahmapuranas.
Bhagvata purana is divided into 18 skandas The
10th skanda mentions about the childhood of Sri
Krishna.
Skanda purana is considered as the largest
purana.
Brahmapurana is also known as Adipurana.
Adhyatma Ramayana is included in the
Brahmantapurana.
Cattle was the chief measure of wealth of the vedic
period.
Rigvedic tribe was referred to as Jana .
Many clans (vis) formed a tribe.
The basic unit of society was kula or the family
and Kulapa was the head of the family.
‘Visah’ was a cluster of gramas.
Important tribal assemblies of the Rig Vedic period
were Sabha, Samiti, Vidhata and Gana.
The Aghanya mentioned in many passages of
Rigveda applies to cows.
The Rigvedic religion was primitive animism.
Indra was the greatest God of Aryans and Agni
occupied second position.
Varuna was God of water and Yama was the Lord
of dead.
Savitri was a solar diety to whom the famous
Gayatri Mantra is attributed to.
Prithvi was Earth Godess.
The battle of ten kings mentioned in the Rig Veda
was fought on the division of water of river Ravi.
It was fought on the banks of River Ravi
(Purushni).
Indra was known as Purandara.
The people called Panis, during the Vedic period
were cattle breeders.
The Vedic God in charge of truth and moral order
was Varuna.
Indra Played the role of the Warlord. He is also
considered as the rain god.
The two priests who played a major part during
the Rig Vedic period were Vasishta and
Visvamitra.
Later Vedic Period
The period assigned to Later Vedic Phase is 1000
BC to 600 BC.
Later Vedic people used particular type of pottery
called Painted Grey Ware (PGW)
The Later Vedic Aryans were familiar with two
seas, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Rice became the staple diet of Indian people during
the Later Vedic Period.
The term ‘Rashtra’ which indicates territory first
appeared in the later vedic period.
Mention of the word ‘Sudras’ - Rigveda
Mandala)
Mention of the ‘Gotra’ is found in the
Atharvaveda.
Origin of Kingship is found in Aitareya
Brahmana.
‘Soma’ was an intoxicating drink mentioned in
the 9th Mandala of the Rig Veda.
Mention of the word Varna is found in Rigveda.
The fourfold division of the society is found in
the 10th Mandala of the Rigveda.
Mention about the Varnashranadhrama is found
in the Jabla Upanishad.
The Doctrine of Trimurti is found in the
Maitrayani Upanishad.
Mention about the origin of Universe is found in
the Rig Veda (10th Mandala).
Purohita Senani and Vrajapati were the important
functionaries who assisted the king in dayto-
day administration.
The officer who enjoyed authority over the pasture
land was called Vrajapati.
The king’s power increased during the Later Vedic
Period.
First law giver of ancient India was Manu. He
wrote ‘Manusmrithi’.
Manusmrithi was translated into English by William
Jones.
Shyma Shastri translated Arthasastra into English
Bali was a tax, which the king used to collect from
the people of the Vedic period.
Aryans used iron for the first time India.
Horse, Iron, Sugarcane, Pulses etc reached India
by the coming of Aryans.
The God who occupied supreme position in the
Later Vedic Period was Prajapati.
Rudra was regarded as preserver and protector
of the people.
The most important functionary who assisted the
Vedic king was Purohita.
Manarchy was the normal form of Government in
the vedic period.
Each Tribal republic was headed by Ganapati or
Jyeshtha.
The Vedic Education system revealed through
‘Frog Hymn’ in the Rigveda and ‘Wedding Hymn’
describe the oldest marriage rituals.
Max Mullar was the first person to speak of ‘Aryans’
as a race.
Epics
Hinduism has two epics Ramayana and
Mahabharata.
Mahabharata was written by ‘Vyasa’.Mahabharata
is also known as Jayasamhita, Satasahasri
Samhita and the fifth veda.
Mahabharata has 1,17,000 hymns in it.
Mahabharata is divided into 18 Purvas, an appendix
Harivamsa is considered as 19th Purva.
12th Purva is the largest and 7th is the smallest.
It describes the 18 days battle of Kurukshetra.
Stories of Sakuntalam, Pralayam, Ramcharitam,
Rishysringan, Satyavan Savitri,Nala and
Damayanthi etc are included in the Mahabharata.
Valmiki is the author of Ramayana.
Ramayana has 24000 hymns and is divided into
Seven Skandas (Kandas)
Bhagavatgita is included in the Bhishma Purva of
Mahabharata. It is divided into 18 chapters and
has about 700 hymns.
Jainism
Vardhamana Mahavira was believed to have born
in 540 BC in Kundala Grama in Vaishali the capital
Six systems of Indian Philosophy
Samkya ................................ Sage Kapila
Yoga ......................................... Patanjali
Vaisheshika ..............................Kannada
Nyaya ................... Akshapada (Gautama)
Vedanta Gaudapada and Shankaracharya.
Mimamsa.................................... Jaimini
of Vajji. Now it is in Mussafar district in Bihar.
He belonged to Jnatrika Kshatriya clan.
Mahavira’s family was connected with the royal
family of Magadha.
The word ‘Jaina’ was originated from the word
‘Jina’ which means conqueror.
Jainism speaks about 24 thinthankaras. Mahavira
was the 24th Thirthankara, who is considered as
the founder of Jainism.
Rishabha was the first Thirthankara. Neminath
and Parswanatha were the 22nd and 23rd
Thirthankaras respectively.
Bhagavatapurana, Vishnupurana, Vayupurana,
etc mentions about Rishabhadeva.
Sidhartha, ruler of Nandadynasty which ruled
Kundalapuri, was the father of Vardhmana
Mahavira.
Mahavira’s mother was Trissala and Yasodha was
his wife.
Jameli was the daughter of Mahavira.
Mahavira is also known as ‘Vaishalia’ as he was
born in Vaishali.
He got Kaivalya at the age of 42 under a Sal tree
on the bank of river Rajpalika near Village
Jimbhrikagrama.
At first Mahavira followed the practice of an ascetic
group called Nirgrandhas , which earlier led
by Parswanath.
Makhali Gosala was a companion of Mahavira.
Who later founded the Ajivika sect.
Mahavira attained Nirvana at the age of 72 at
Pavapuri near Rajagriha in 468 BC.
Jains observe the day of his nirvana as Dipavali.
Gautama Indrabhuti is considered as his first
desciple.
Jain sacred texts are called Angas.
Jain texts were written under Bhadrabahu in BC
296.
Jain texts were written in the Prakrit language of
Ardhamagadhi.
‘Ahimsa Paramo Dharma’ is the sacred hymn of
Jainism.
Ahimsa, Satya, Asateya, Aparigriha and
Brahmacharya are the five major principles of
Jainism.
Brahmacharya is the principle added by Mahavira.
Mahavira taught the three Jewels of Jainism
(Triratna) - Right Faith, Right Knowledge and
Right Conduct.
The Jains repudiated the authority or infallibility
of the vedas. The Jains rejected the concept of
Universal soul or a supreme power as the creator
and sustainer of the Universe.
Jainism does not condemn the Varna system.
Mahavira believed that all individuals irrespective
of caste can strive for liberation through good
deeds and living.
First Jain council was held at Pataliputra in the
fourth century BC under the leadership of
Stulabahu.
Second Jain council was held at Vallabhipur in
third Century BC under the leadership of
Aryaskandil Nagarjuna Suri.
Third Jain council was held at Vallabhipur in
Gujarat in 5th Century AD under the leadership
of Devardhi Kshamasramana.
Jainism was divided into two sects Swetambaras
and Digambaras after the first Jain Council.
Digambaras are sky-clad or naked and
swetambaras are clad in white.
Gomateshwara statue is
situated in Sravana
belgola.
‘Syad Vada’ is a Jain philosophy
of Knowledge.
Kharavela of Kalinga
gave patronage to
Jainism.
Mahavir Jayanti and
Rakshabandan are the
festive occassions of
Jainism.
Temple on the Mount Abu in Rajasthan is a famous
centre of Jain worship.
Gomateshwara
Jain Temple at Sravanabelgola in Hassan district
in Mysore is known as ‘Kasi of the Jains’.
Names of Rishabhadeva and Arishtanemi are also
mentioned in the Rigveda.
Chandragupta Maurya the founder of the
Mauryan Empire, abdicated the throne towards
the end of his life, accepted Jainism reached
Sravanabelgola and died there.
Buddhism
Buddhism originated in the 6th century BC.
Gautama Buddha the founder of Buddhism was
born in Lumbini in Kapilavasthu on the border of
Nepal in 563 BC.
Buddha’s mother
Mahamaya died seven
days after his birth. He
was brought up by his
aunt Mahaprajpati
Gautami, hence he got
the name ‘Gautama’.
First Buddhist nun was
Gautami
Budha’s birth place is
now known as Binla.
Budhas orginal name was Sidhartha.
Buddha belonged to the Sakhya clan of
Kshatriyas.
His father was Subhodhana.
Buddha’s wife was Yasodhara and his son was
Rahulan.
Four sights changed his mind and initiated him to
spiritual life they were death, old age, sadness
and sufferings.
He left home at the age of 29 along with his charioteer
Channa and favourite horse Kandaka. This
incident is known as Mahanishkramana.
Buddha got enlightenment at Bodha Gaya, on the banks
of Niranjana river in Bihar at the Age of 35.
After enlightenment Buddha came to be known
as ‘thadhagatha’. He is also known as
‘Sakhyamuni’.
1. Rishabhdev
2. Ajitnath
3. Sambhavnath
4. Abhinandan
5. Sumitnath
6. Padmaprabhu
7. Suparsavanath
8. Suridhi
9. Chandraprabh
10. Sheetal Nath
11. Shreyanshanath
12. Vasupujya
13. Vimalnath
14. Anandanath
15. Dharmanath
16. Shantinath
17. Kunthunath
18. Arnath
19. Mallinath
20. Munisuvrata nath
21. Neminath
22. Arishtanemi
23. Parshvanath
24. Mahavira
Buddha made his first sermon after enlightenment
at a deer park at Saranath in Uttar Pradesh. This
incident is known as ‘Dharmachakra
pravarthana’.
Buddha’s first teacher was Alara Kalama and second
teacher Udraka Ramaputra.
During his first sermon at Sarnath, Buddha described
the ‘four noble truths’ and the eight fold
path.
Buddha made his sermons in Pali language and
the early Buddhist texts were also written in Pali
language.
Buddha died at the age of 80 in 483 BC at
Kushinagara in UP. This was known as
Parinirvana. Buddha died by consuming poisoned
meat or poisoned mushroom.
Last meals of Buddha was served by a blacksmith
‘Chunda’.
His last words were All composite things decay,
strive diligently.
Four noble truths of Buddhism are:
life is full of misery, desire is the cause of misery,
killing desires would kill sorrows, Desire
can be killed by following the eight-told path.
The eight fold path of Buddhism are:
Right Belief, Right Thought, Right Speech,
Gautama Buddha
Right Action, Right Living, Right Effort, Righ
Recollection, Right Meditation
Buddhism does not recognise the existence of
God and Soul (Atman)
Buddha accepted the traditional belief in transmigration
of the soul and law of Karma.
The ‘three jewels’of Buddhism are – Buddha,
Dhamma and Sangha.
The first Buddhist council was held in 483 BC at
Sattaparni (Rajagriha) under the presidentship
of Mahakashyapa and under the patronage of king
Ajatasatru of Magadha..
Vinayapitaka and Suddhapitaka were codified at
the first council.
Second Buddhist council was held in 383 BC at
Vaishali under the presidentship of Sabhakami
and under the patronage of king Kalashoka.
At the second Buddhist council Buddhism was
divided into two Staviravadins and
Mahasankikas which later came to be known a
Hinayana and Mahayana respectively.
Third council of Buddhism was held in 250 BC at
Pataliputhra under the presidentship of
Mogaliputta Tissa and under the patronage of
Ashoka the Great.
Abhidhamma Pitika was codified at the third council.
At the third council decision was also taken to
send missionaries to spread Buddhism.
The fourth Buddhist council was held in the first
century AD at Kundalavana in Kashmir under
the President-ship of Vasumithra and Ashvagosha
and under the patronage of Kanishka.
Clear division of Buddhism into Hinayana and
Mahayana tookplace at the fourth council.
Upagupta converted Ashoka to Buddhism.
Ashvagosha was the first biographer of Buddha
who wrote Budhacharitam in Sanskrit.
Vasubandu is known as Second Buddha.
Ashoka is known as the Constantine of Buddhism.
Ashoka accepted Buddhism after the battle of
Kalinga in BC 261.
5 SYMBOLS OF BUDDHA
Birth ....................................... Lotus and Bull
Renunciation ........................................Horse
Enlightenment ................................ Bodhitree
First Sermon ......................... Dharma Chakra
Nirvana (Death) ............................ Foot prints
Buddhist worshipping centre is known as Pagoda.
Viharas are the Buddhist monastries.
Vajrayana was a sect of Buddhism which believed
in achieving salvation through Mantras and
spells.
‘Jataka stories’ describe the stories related to
the birth of Buddha. They are 500 in number.
Holy book of Buddhism is Tripitika- Vinayapitika,
Suddhapitika and Abhidhamapitika are collectively
known as Tripitika.
Bimbisara of Magadha was a contemporary of
Buddha.
Kanishka who worked to spread Buddhism like
Ashoka is known a Second Ashoka.
Ashoka sent his son and daughter, Mahendra
and Sanghamitra to SriLanka to spread Buddhism.
Sri Buddha is known as the ‘Light of Asia’ He
was named as such by Edvin Arnold.
Edvin Arnold’s ‘Light of Asia’ was translated into
Malayalam by Nalappad Narayanamenon.
Hinayanism is wide spread in Sri Lanka.
The Bodhi tree at Gaya was cut down by Sasanka,
a Bengal ruler.
The chief Buddhist monastery was at Nalanda,
which was under the patronage of Pala kings.
Previous Buddhas are known as ‘Bodhisatvas’.
Milandapanho a book of Nagasena describes how
Greek king Menandar accepted Buddhism.
Sangham Age
First five centuries of the Christian Era are commonly
known as Sangham Age.
Sangham was an Assembly of literature held at
Madhurai.
References to the Sangham Age can be found in
the inscriptions of Ashoka, and Kharavela of
Kalinga and in the Indica of Megastenese.
The literature of the Sangham Age was written
mostly in the form of Poetry.
In the Sangham Age, the most common form of
government was hereditary monarchy. The village
was the fundamental unit of administration.
Small village Assemblies during the Sangham Age
were known as Arai.
Tradition refers to three sangham lasting for 9,900
years.
Language of the Sangham literature was Tamil
People of the Sangham Age mainly worshiped
‘Murugan’.
The greatest work of the Tamil literature of the
Sangham Age is Tholkappium written by
Tholkappiyar.
Tholkappium is considered as the earliest surviving
Tamil literary work. It is a book on Tamil
grammar.
The Capital of the Pandyas was at Madhurai.
Uraiyur was the capital of Cholas, known for cotton
trade.
Vanchi was the capital of Cheras.
Silappadigaram, Manimegalai and
Jeevakachintamani are the three epics of
Sangham literature.
Korkai was the main seaport of the Pandyas.
Megastanese described Pandya Kingdom as
‘Pearl’ as it was ruled by women.
Kaveripumpatnam was the main sea port of the
Cholas.
Silappatigaram as written by Ilango Adikal. It
describes the love story of Kovalan and Kannaki
Nedujezhian is the Pandyan king mentioned in
Silapadigaram.
Satanar wrote ‘Manimekhalai’ which is also an
epic and tells about the story of the daughter of
Kannaki and Kovalan.
Manimekhalai gives reference about Buddhism.
FAMOUS ERAS
Vikram Era ........................................ 58 BC
Saka Era .......................................... 78 AD
Gupta Era ...................................... 320 AD
Hijra Era ........................................ 622 AD
Kollam Era ..................................... 825 AD
Illahi Era ....................................... 1583 AD
II and XIII rock edicts of Ashoka mention about
the South Indian kingdoms.
Karikala most prominent among early Cholas is
known as the master of seven notes of music.
‘Bharatam’ was a Tamil version of Mahabharata
sung by Perundevanar.
‘Manimekhalai’ is looked upon as the Tamil Odyssey.
Thirukkural is known as Tamil Bible compiled
by Thiruvalluvar. His statue is seen near
Vivekanandappara in Kanyakumari.
The greatest of the Chera rulers was
Senguttuvanchera also known as ‘Red Chera’.He
built a temple for Kannaki.
The famous Chera port Muziris was a great centre
of Indo-Roman Trade.
The largest single tax collected during the Sangha
period was the land tax called Karai.
The founder of later Cholas was Rajaraja I The
most important ruler of this dynasty was Rajendra
Chola.
Rajendra Chola is also known as ‘Gagaikonda
Chola’ He later named his capital as ‘Gangaikonda
Cholapuram’.
RajaRaja I built ‘Brihadeswara temple’ at Tanjore.
Cholas were well known for their naval supremacy
and efficient village administration.
The Utharameroor inscription tells about the local
self government under the cholas.
Thirukkural of Thiruvalluvar is the Tamil work
which is known also as the fifth Veda.
Jivaka Chintamani the third epic of the Tamil was
written by Tirukkadevar.
Roman king built a temple of Augustus at
Muziris.
Literary Activities in Ancient India
Ashtadhyayi by Panini (5th C.BC) the earliest
grammar book also called Bhagavati Sutra.
Mahabhashya was written by Patanjali.
Manusmriti was a law book composed between
200 BC and 200AD.
Arthashastra by Kautilya deals with statecrafts
is a major source of Mauryan administration.
Indica by ‘Megastenes’ is a source of Mauryan
society and administration.
Chandsutra was written by Pingala.
Buddhacharita by Aswaghosha is the earliest
biography of Buddha. It was written in Pali language.
Raghuvamsa by Kalidasa is an epic based on
Mahabharata.
Naishad Charita by Sri Harsha contains story of
Nala and Damayanti.
Drama
Natyashastra by Bharatamuni is the earliest
known work in Sanskrit.
Malavikagnimithram, Vikramorvashiyan and
Abhinjana Syakuntalam are dramas written by
Kalidasa.
Ratnavali, Nagananda and Priyadarshika are dramas
written by Harshavardhana.
Lyric Poetry
Meghadutam by Kalidasa
Srinagarashataka, Nitishataka and
Vairagyasataka were written by Bhartrihari.
Gita Govinda was written by Jayadeva.
Historical writing
Harshacharita - Written by Banabhatta
Vikramamangadeva charita - written by Bilhana.
Prose Literature
Dasakumaracharitam........................ Dandin
Vasavadatta ...................................... Subandu
Brihat Kathamanjari ................. Kshemendra
Kathasaritsagara ........................... Somadeva
Panchathantra ......................... Vishnusharma
Hitopadesha ........................... Narayan Pandit
Kamasutra and Arya Manjushree ..... Vatsyayana
Pavandhoot .......................................... Dhoyi
Swapna Vasavadatta ............................. Bhasa
Matavilasa Prahasana .......Mahendravarman I
Si-yu-ki ..................................... Hiuen Tsang
Fo-kuoki ........................................... Fa-hien
Panchasidhantika ........................ Varahamihir
Suryasidhantika and Aryabhatiyam....Aryabhatta
Nitisara ....................................... Kamandaka
Charak Samhita ............................... Charaka
Hastayurveda ................................... Palkapya
Mitakshara ................................. Vigneswara
Dayabhaga ................................ Jimutavahana
Sidhanta Siromani ................ Bhaskaracharya
Nighantu .................................... Dhanvantari
Mudrarakshasa ......................... Vishakadatta
Prabhanda Chintamani .............. Meruthunga
Geography of India ............................ Ptolemy
Brihat Kathakosh ............................ Harisena
Mrichakatika ................................... Sudraka
Prithviraj Vijaya .............................. Jayanak
Nala Vemba ................................... Pugalendi
Magadhan Empire
In the 6th century BC there originated 16
Mahajanapadas in North India
Four prominent royal dynasties stand out prominently
out of these Janapadas. They were
Haryankas of Magadha, the Ikshvakus of Kosala,
the Pauravas of Vatsa and the Pradyotas of Avanti.
Haryanka is the name of a new dynasty founded
in Magadha by Bimbisara.
Bimbisara founded the dynasty by defeating the
Brihadrathas.
Bimbisara was a contemporary of Buddha.
Magadha became a supreme power in North India
under Ajatasatru. So Ajatasatru is considered
as the founder of Magadhan Supremacy.
Pataliputra and Rajagriha were the capitals of
Magadhan kingdom.
Magadha falls in the Patna region of Bihar.
Haryankas were overthrown by Sisunaga and he
founded the Sisunaga dynasty there.
Kalasoka the son and successor of Sisunaga was
succeeded by Mahapadma Nanda and he
founded the Nanda dynasty.
Ajatasatru’s successor Udayin was the founder
of the city of Pataliputra.
Persian Invasion
The Achaemenian king of Persia, Darius (522 -
486 BC) captured some territories the east of
Sindhu in 518 BC.
The Persian domination over Indian territory
lasted upto 330 BC.
Xerxes was the persian ruler who enlisted Indians
in his army.
The Kharoshti script was brought to India by
Persians.
Alexander’s Invasion
Alexander was born in 356 BC as the son of King
Philip II of Mascedonia.
Epirus or Olympias was Alexanders mother.
Aristotle was Alexander’s teacher.
He became the king in 336 BC
He defeated the Persian ruler Darius III.
Alexander founded the city of Alexandria in
Egypt
In 326 BC Alexander defeated Porus
(Purushothama) the ruler of Punjab and Captured
Taxila through the battle of Hydaspes on the
banks of river Jhelum.
Ambhi the ruler of Taxila invited Alexander to India.
Alexander died of Malaria at the age of 33 in 323
BC while he was in Babylon.
Alexander was cremated at Alexandria.
Alexander was known as Shehansha in Persia and
Sikhandar-I-Asam in Indo-Pak region.
The Last general of Alexander in India was
Eudamas.
Alexander’s first General in India was Selucus
Nikator.
Alexander IV succeeded Alexander as the
Masedonian King.
Alexander’s teacher Aristotle is considered as the
father of Politics, Biology, Taxonomy and the Science
of Logic.
Mauryan Empire (321-185 BC)
Major sources for the study of Mauryan Empire
are the Arthasastra of Kautilya and Indika of
Megasthenes.
Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of
Mauryan Empire.
Details about his early life are not available
He is believed to have belonged to Moriya Clan,
hence got the name Maurya.
It is also said that his mother was Mura a women
of lower birth hence got the name Maurya.
In some texts he is referred to as Vrishala and
Kulahina.
He conspired with Chanakya (Kautilya or
Vishnugupta) the minister of Nanda to overthrew
the last Nanda ruler DhanaNanda.
Chandragupta Maurya ascended the throne in
BC 321.
He fought against Selucus in 305 BC. Selucus
surrendered before him and sent an ambassador,
Megasthenese to the court of Chandragupta
Maurya.
Chandragupta’s Governor Pushygupta constructed
the famous Sudarshana lake.
ChandraGupta Maurya was converted to Jainism,
abdicated the throne in favour of his son
Bindusara, passed his last days a
Sravanabelagola (Near Mysore) where he died in
298 BC.
Chandragupa Maurya was responsible for the political
unification of North India for the first time.
Bindusara was a follower of Ajivika sect.
Bindusara was known as Amitragatha.
Ashoka ascended the throne in 273BC and ruled
upto 232 BC.
He was known as ‘Devanampriya priyadarsi the
beautiful one who was the beloved of Gods.
Maski and Gujara Edicts of Ashoka gave the
name Devanampriya Priyadarsi.
Buddhist tradition says Ashoka killed 99 of his
brothers to capture the throne.
Ashoka was the first king in Indian history who
had left his records engraved on stones.
Ashokan inscriptions were written in Kharoshti
and Brahmi scripts.
Ashoka fought the Kalinga war in 261 BC Kalinga
is in modern Orissa.
Ashokan inscriptions were deciphered by James
Princep.
After the battle of Kalinga Ashoka became a Buddhist,
being shocked by the horrors of the war.
Ashoka was initiated to Buddhism by Upagupta
or Nigrodha a disciple of Buddha.
For the propagation of Buddhism Ashoka started
the institution of Dharmamahamatras.
The IV Major Rock Edict of Ashoka tells about
the practice of Dharma
The Major Rock Edict XII of Ahoka deals with
the conquest of Kalinga.
Ashoka held the third Buddhist council at his
capital Pataliputra in 250BC under the
presidentship of Moggaliputa Tissa.
He sent his son and daughter to Sri Lanka for the
spread of Buddhism (Mahendra and Sanghamitra)
Ashoka spread Buddhism to SriLanka and Nepal.
He is known as the Constantine of Buddhism.
In his Kalinga Edict he mentions ‘‘All man are as
my children’’.
Ceylones ruler Devanmpriya Tissa was Ashoka’s
first convert to Buddhism.
Ashoka ruled for 40 years and died in 232 BC.
The emblem of the Indian Republic has been
adopted from the four lion capital of one of
Ashokas pillars which is located in Saranath.
Rock-cut architecture in India made a beginning
during Ashoka’s reign.
Brihadratha the last Mauryan ruler was killed by
Pushyamitra Sunga who founded the Sunga Dynasty
in 185 BC.
Megasthenese the first foreign traveller to India
mentions about the existence of seven castes in
India during the Mauryan period.
Stanika in Mauryan administration refers to tax
collector.
Post Mauryan Period
Sunga Dynasty (185-71 BC)
Sunga Dynasty was founded by Pushyamitra
Sunga the commander-in-chief of last Mauryan
king, Brihadratha.
Kalidasa’s drama Malavikagnimitram is about the
love story of Pushyamitra’s son Agnimitra and
Malavika.
Last ling of sunga dynasty was Devabhuti.
Kanva Dynasty (72 BC - 27 BC)
Kanva dynasty was founded by Vasudeva Kanva
in 72 BC after defeating the last Sunga ruler
Devabhuti.
This dynasty ruled for a period of 45 years.
Vasudeva, Bhumimitra, Narayana and Susuman
were the rulers of Kanva dynasty.
Cheta (Cheti) Dynasty of Kalinga
The Cheti Dynasty was believed to have founded
by Maha Meghavahana
The Hatigumbha inscription of Kharavela, of the
Important Mauryan Officers
Samaharta ................ Collector of Revenue
Sannidata ....................... Head of Treasury
Dandapala ........................... Head of Police
Durga Pala ................... Head of Royal Fort
Pradeshikas .... Head of District Administration
Prashasti ..........................Head of Prisons
Kalinga ruler gives details about the Chedis of
Kalinga.
Kharavela was a follower of Jainism.
Satavahanas (235 BC - 100BC)
Satavahanas were the most powerful ruling dynasty
after the Mauryas.
Satavahanas were also known as Andhras.
Satavahanas were the Indian rulers who prefixed
their mother’s name along with their names.
Most important Satavahana ruler was
Gautamiputra Satakarni.
Satavahanas were Brahmanas.
Nagarjuna Konda and Amaravati in
Andhrapradesh became important seats of Buddhist
culture under the Satavahanas.
The two common structures of Satavahanas were
the temple called Chaitya and the monastery called
Vihara.
Satavahanas mostly issued lead coins.
The official language of the Satavahanas was
Prakrit
Indo Greeks
First to invade India were the Greeks who were
called Indo-Greeks.
The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menander
with his Capital at Sakala in Punjab (Modern
Sialkot)
The Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins
in India.
The introduction of Hellenistic art features into
India were also the contribution of Indo-Greek rule.
Menander was converted into a Buddhist by Buddhist
monk Nagasena (Nagarjuna)
Indo-Greeks were the first to issue coins bearing
the figure of kings.
Demitrius, the king of Bacteria invaded India
about 190BC. He is considered as Second
Alexander (But the Indian ruler who accepted the
name second Alexander (Sikandar-i-sani) was
Alauddin Khilji)
Indo-Greeks were the first to introduce military
governorship in India.
The Parthians (19 - 45 AD)
Parthians also known as Pahalavas were Iranian
People.
Gondophernes was the greatest of the Parthian
rulers.
St. Thomas is said to have came to India for the
propagation of Christianity during the period of
Gondophernes.
The Sakas (90 BC - Ist AD)
Sakas were also known as Scythians.
The first Saka king in India was Maues or Moga
who established Saka power in Gandhara.
The most famous of the Saka rulers in Western
India was Rudra Daman I. His achievements are
highlighted in his Junagarh inscription written in
150 AD.
Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman was the
first inscription in Sanskrit.
Ujjayini was the capital of Rudradaman.
Kushans
Kushans are also known as Yuch-chis or
Tocharians.
Kushans came to India from North Central Asia.
First great Kushana king was Kujala Kadphises
or Kadphises I.
The most famous
Kushana ruler was
Kanishka.
He became the ruler in 78
AD and started Saka Era
in 78 AD.
The Capital of Kanishka
was Peshawar or
Purushapura.
Kanishka convened the fourth Buddhist council
in Kashmir.
Kanishka
Scholars like, Parsva, Vasumitra, Ashvaghosha,
Charaka and Nagarjuna were the courtiers of
Kanishka.
The Gandhara School of Art received royal patronage
under the Kushans.
Kanishka patronised Mahayana form of Buddhism.
Kanishka is righty called the ‘Second Ashoka’
Kanishka was the first king who inscribed the
image of Lord Buddha on his coins.
Kanishka started the Saka era in 78 AD. The first
month of Saka era is Chaithra and the last month
is Phalguna.
Vasudeva was the last great king of Kushana
Dynasty.
Kushana school of art is also referred to as the
Mathura school.
Gupta Empire (320 - 540 AD)
Gupta Empire was founded by Sri Gupta.
Ghatotkacha was the second ruler.
Chandra Gupta I was the real founder of the Gupta
Empire. He came to the throne in 320 AD.
He was the first ruler to adopt the title
Maharajadhiraja.
He laid the foundation of Gupta Era on 26 February
320 AD.
Samudra Gupta succeeded Chandragupta I in 335
AD.
The Allahabad Pillar inscription composed by
Harisena contains information about
Samudragupta’s conquests.
Allahabad Pillar inscription is also known as
‘Prayagaprasasti’.
Samudra Gupta is also known as ‘Linchchavi
Dauhitra’’. (son of the daughter Kumaradevi of
Lichchavis)
Samudra Gupta is described as ‘Indian Napoleon’
by V.A. Smith.
Samudra Gupta composed ‘‘Vahukabita’’ and had
the title ‘‘Kaviraja’’.
Historically Important Places
Ayodhya Birth place of Sri Rama (UP)
Amber Palace Rajasthan
Aghakhan Palace Pune (Maharashtra)
(Gandhi and Kasturba were
kept in prison here)
Kedarnath Holy place of Hindus
(Utharanchal)
Amarnath Pilgrim centre (Kashmir)
Elephanta caves Near Mumbai
Ellora Caves Maharashtra - 34 cavetemples
(Hindu, Buddha - Jaina)
Rajgir Jain Temple in Bihar
Golden Temple Amritsar - Harmandir Sahib of
Sikhs
Golgumbus Bijapur (Karnataka)
Tomb of Muhammed Adil Shah
Tanjore Capital of Cholas -
Brihadveswara Temple
Charminar Hyderabad (Monument of
Plague eradication)
Konark Temple Orissa (Sun Temple)
Qutab Minar Delhi
Khajuraho Near Bhopal (M.P.) 80 temples
Mahabalipuram Centre of Pallava architecture
(Tamil Nadu)
Kurukshetra Battle of Mahabarata (in
Haryana)
TajMahal Agra (UP) Built by Shah Jahan
Sanchi Buddhist Stupa (Madhya
Pradesh)
Haridwar Holy Place of Hindus
(Uttaranchal)
Sanskrit was the court language of the Guptas.
India became ‘‘Greater India’’ under Samudra
Gupta.
Samudra Gupta was an accomplished Veena
player.
Chandragupta II the greatest of Gupta rulers was
popularly known as Vikramaditya.
He adopted the title ‘Sakari’ after his victory over
Rudradaman II of Gujarat.
Fa hein, the Chinese traveller, visited India during
his period.
The exploits of Chandragupta II are glorified in
an iron pillar inscription fixed near Qutub Minar.
Chandragupta II adopted the title Vikramaditya
as a mark of his victory over the Sakakshatraps.
‘Nine gems’ or ‘Navratnas’ was a famous Scholastic
Assembly in the court of Chandragupta II.
The members in the Ninegems were - Kalidasa,
Kadakarbhara, Kshapanaka, Varahmihira,
Vararuchi, Vethalabhatta, Dhanvantari,
Ammarasimha, Sanku.
Chandragupta II was succeeded by his son
Kumaragupta I.
Skandagupta Vikramaditya was the last great
ruler of Gupta Empire.
Skandagupta Vikramaditya was the only hero in
Asia and Europe who defeated the Hunas in their
glorious period.
Vishnu Gupta was the last ruler who died in 570
AD.
Mantriparishad assisted the king in administration.
Most important Industry of the Gupta period was
textile.
Period of the Gupta is compared to ‘Periclean
Age of Greece’, ‘Augustan Age of Rome’ and
‘Elzabethan Age of England’.
Period of the Guptas is considered as the Golden
Age in the history of India.
Earlier Guptas had their capital at Prayag in
Allahabad, later it was shifted to Ujjain by
Chandragupta II.
The most important officers in the Gupta empire
were Kumaramatyas.
The royal seal of the Guptas bore the emblem of
Garuda.
Aryabhatta was the first to treat Mathematics as
a separate subject. He wrote Aryabhattiyam. He
belonged to the Gupta period. Aryabhatta was
the first to use Decimal System.
Panchsidhanta, Brihat Jataka, Laghu Jataka and
Brihat Samhita are the works of Varahamihira.
The best specimen of the Gupta paintings are seen
at Ajanta caves and the Bhaga caves.
The Gupta period marked the beginning of Indian
temple architecture.
Guptas issued large number of gold coins in India.
Guptas largely patronised art and architecture.
Guptas patronised the Gandhara school of art,
Madhura School of Art and the Andhra School
of Art.
The Fresco paintings in the Ajanta caves are examples
of the art of the Guptas.
The chief source of income was land revenue.
The position of women declined during the Gupta
period.
A renowned physician of
the Gupta period was
Vaghbhatta
Nalanda and Taxila were
the two universities of this
period.
Kalidasa is generally
called ‘‘Indian
Shakespeare’ and the
‘Prince of Indian Poets’.
Books on Sciences
Chandra Vyakaran ............... Chandragomin
Amar Kosh .............................. Amar Singh
Niti Shastra ............................... Kamandak
Kamasutra ................................Vatsya yana
Panchasiddhantika................ Varahamihira
Ashtanga Hridaya ......................Vaghbhatta
Hastyaurveda ............................... Pulkapya
Sankhyakarika ...................... Iswarkrishna
Kalidasa
Patanjali founded ‘Yoga Shastra’, a school of
Hindu philosophy during this period.
The Hunas
The Huns were a nomadic and barberic race of
Central Asia.
They were defeated by Skanda Gupta.
In the last quarter of the 5th century AD, the
Hunas established an independent kingdom in
the Punjab.
Toramana and Mihirakula were important Huna
leaders.
In 510 AD Bhanu Gupta defeated Toramana.
Narasimha Gupta defeated Mihirakula.
The Hunas gave rise to the Kshatriya Rajaputs.
Sialkot was Mihirakula’s capital.
The Maitrakas of Valabhi
They were of Iranian origin, they ruled Gujarat.
Valabhi was their Capital.
Siladitya I (606 - 612 AD) was the first independent
king of Maithrakas.
The Vakatakas (250-500 AD)
The Vakatakas established their power in Deccan.
Their capital was Vidarbha.
The founder of the dynasty was Vindhyasakthi.
Vakatakas were Brahmins.
Vakatakas were later defeated by the Chalukyas
of Badani.
Harsha Vardhana (606 - 647AD)
The last Hindu Emperor of North India was
Harshavardhana (Last Hindu king of Delhi was
Prithviraj Chauhan)
Harshavardhana belonged to the Pushyabhuti
Dynasty, also known as Vardhana Dynasty.
The Pushyabhuti dynasty was founded by
Pushyabhuti.
Harsha came to power in 606 AD (Harsha Era)
He made Kanauj his new capital from Taneswar.
Original name of Harsha was Siladitya.
Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang visited India during
his reign.
Harsha summoned a religious assembly at Prayag.
Hieun Tsang said Indians were ‘‘Truthful people
although quick tempered’’
Harsha’s biography ‘Harsha Charita’ was written
by his court poet Banabhatta. He also wrote
‘Kadambari’.
Harsha Vardhana was a poet and dramatist.
Ratnavali, Priyadarshika and Nagananda are the
works of Harshavardhana.
Harsha Vardhana was defeated by the Chalukyan
king Pulikeshin II in AD 634.
Harshavardhanas empire was the last Buddhist
empire in India.
After Harsha, the Karkotas of Kashmir established
their power.
Mahendravarman I and Pulikeshin II were the
contemporaries of Harshavardhana.
Matanga, Divakar, Jayasena and Bhartrihari
were the famous scholars in the court of
Harshavadhana.
Harsha founded the Harsha Era in 606 AD.
Chalukyas of Badami
In 535 Pulikeshin I founded a small kingdom with
the Capital at Vatapipura (Modern Badami)
He was succeeded by Kirtivarman and
Mangaleshna.
Pulikeshin II was the most famous ruler of the
Chalukya dynasty.
The greatest achievement of Pulikeshin II was
the defeat he inflicted on Harshavardhana.
The Pallava king Narasimhavarman captured
Vatapi and adopted the title ‘Vatapikonda’.
Pulikeshin II defated the Pallavas and captured
Kanchi. He also defeated Cheras, Cholas and
Pandyas.
Kirtivarman, the last ruler of this dynasty was
defeated by the Rashtrakutas and the Chalukyan
rule came to an end in 757 AD.
The magnificient temples of Belur and Halebid
and the Elephanta caves were constructed during
the Chalukyan period.
From the Chronological point of view Chalukyas
can be divided into four
The Chalukyas of Vatapi (535 - 642 AD)
The later Chalukyas of Vatapi (655 - 753 AD)
The Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi (615 - 1076)
The Later Western Chalukyas of Kalyani (973-
1190 AD)
Pallavas
Simhavishnu was the founder of the Pallava dynasty.
Narasimhavarman , a Pallava ruler, defeated
Pulikeshin II and adopted the title Vatapikonda.
Narasimhavarman I was called Mahamalla which
meants a wrestler.
The book Mattavilasa Prahasana was written by
Narashimvarman I.
The Ratha temples at Mahabalipuram (Seven Pagodas)
were created by Narasimhavarman I.
Dandin the author of Dasakumaracharitam, lived
in the court of Narasimhavarman II.
Narasimhavarman II was the most important ruler
of the Pallava dynasty.
He founded Kailasanatha Temple and the Shore
Temple at Mahabalipuram.
Rashtrakutas
Rashtrakuta dynasty was founded by
Dandidurga in 753 AD. With the capital at
Manyakhed or Malkhed.
Rashtrakuta ruler Amoghavarsha I wrote
‘Kavirajamarga’ which is the earliest Kannada
work on poetics. He also wrote Prasnottarmalika.
The Kailasanath Temple at Ellora was founded
by the Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna I.
Krishna III (940 -968) was the last great ruler of
Rashtrakuta dynasty.
The Rashtrakuta power was overthrown by Thiala
II.
Pratiharas
The Pratiharas are also called Gurjara - Pratiharas
- belonging to the 36 clans of Rajputs.
The dynasty was founded by Nagabhatta I (725-
740)
Nagabhatta II made Kanauj his capital.
Pratihara ruler Mihir Bhoja adopted the title
‘Adivaraha’.
Yashpal was the last ruler of this dynasty.
Sulthan Muhammed of Ghazni entred Kanauj during
the period of the Pratiharas.
Palas
The Pala dynasty was founded by Gopala in 750 AD.
Famous Odandapuri University was founded by
Gopala.
The Vikramsila and Sompur Universities were
founded by the Pala king Dharmapala.
The Pala power was destroyed by Vijayasena who
founded the Sena dynasty.
Senas
The Sena dynasty was founded by Vijayasena
towards to end of 11th century. (1093)
Senas had a capital in Vikrampura and another
in Vijayapura.
About the middle of 13th century the senas were
overthrown by the Deva dynasty.
Elephanta caves
Jayadeva, the author of Gitagovinda was patronized
by Sena ruler Lakshmana Sena.
Chauhans
The four Agnikula Rajputs were the Pratiharas,
Chau-hans the Solankis and Paramaras.
Chauhans had their capital at Ajmer and Delhi.
Ajayaraya established the city of Ajayameru or
Ajmer.
The most prominent ruler was Prithviraj III (1177-
1192). He defeated Muhammed of Ghore in the
First Battle of Tarain (1191). But Ghore defeated
and killed him in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192).
Prithviraj Chauhan III was the last Hindu ruler
of Delhi.
Prithvi Raj Rao is the historical Kavya written by
Chand Bardai.
The Chandelas of Bundelkhand
The Chandela dynasty was founded by
Yasovarman with Mahobas as the Capital
The Khajuraho temples are the best examples of
the Chandela art.
Cholas
Vijayalaya was the founder of the Chola empire.
He was a feudatory of the Pallavas of Kanchi.
Raja Raja I (985 - 1014) adopted the titles of
Arumudivarman, Mammudichodadeva,
Jaykonda, Marthanda Chola, Mamudichola etc.
He built the Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjavur.
which is called the RajaRajeswara temple.
Rajendra I led an expedition to North India, defeated
the Pala ruler Mahipala I and adtoped the
title, Gangaikondachola and established a new
Capital, Gangai Konda Cholapuram.
Cholas maintained a well established local - self
government system. Ur, Sabha or Mahasabha -
and Nagaram were the assemblies for local administration.
The Uttaramerur inscription of Dantivarman Pallava
gives details about the local self government.
Temples and Builders
Kailas Temple at Ellora ........................ Krishna I
Chunnakesava Temple, Belur ....Vishnuvardhana
Rathas at Mahabilipuram ... Narashimhavarman I
Brihadeswara Temple, Tanjavur ...RajaRaja Chola
Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram ...Narasimha VarmanII
Lingaraja Temple, Bhavaneswar ........................
......................................Eastern Gangarubs
Karjuraho Temples ............................Chandellas
Rajarajeshwara Temple, Tanjavur .........Raja raja I
Meenakshi Temple at Madhurai .. Nayaka Rulers
Shiva Temple at Tanjavur ...........Raja Raja Chola
Eminent Personalities of Ancient
India
Alexander : he was the ruler of Macedonia in
Greece. He attacked India in 326 BC and captured
upto river Bias.
Ajatasatru : Son of Bimbisara. He established the
city of Pataliputra.
Arien : Greek historian who wrote about
Alexander’s Indian invasion.
Ashwaghosh : Buddhist monk who initiated
Kaniskha to Buddhism wrote Buddha charita,
Sutralankar and Sandaranand.
AmarSimha : Sanskrit scholar in the court of
Chandragupta who wrote Amarakosha.
Aryabhatta : He analysed the reasons for Solar
and Lunar eclipses and declared that the Earth is
round. Wrote Aryabhattiyam.
Bimbisar : Founded the Magadhan Empire or
Haryanka dynasty. He was the first influential king
of ancient India.
Banabhatta : Court poet of Harshavardhana and
author of Harsha Charita and Kadambari.
Charak : He was an Ayurvedic expert wrote
Charak-Samhita and established the Aitereya
branch of Ayurvedic medicines.
Amoghavarsha : He was a famous Rashtrakuta
ruler.
Dhanananda : He was a powerful king of
Magadha. Alexander did not go forward to invade
Magadha only after hearing his reputation.
Darius I : The ruler of Iran (Persia) who invaded
India in 6th century BC.
Gautami Putra Shatakarni : He was the most
famous Satavahana king in 2nd Century.
Harisena : He was the writer of Pryaga Prashasti
or Allahabad Pillar Inscription.
Kharavel : Ruler of Kalinga in I century AD. The
Famous Hathigumbha inscription belonged to
him.
Kanishka : (I century AD) : Most powerful
Kushan king. Started Shaka Era. Organised fourth
Buddhist council at Kundalvan near Kashmir.
Karikala : Chola ruler who founded the city of
Puhar (Kaveri patanam) in I century BC.
Kautilya : also known as Vishnugupta or
Chanakya. He wrote Arthasasthra, which is compared
to ‘The prince’ of Machiavelli.
Kalidas : Famous Sanskrit poet who wrote,
Raghuvamsa, Kumara Sambhavam, Abhigyana
Shakuntalam, Vikramorvashiyam and
Malavikagnimitram. He also wrote
Meghadootam and Ritusamharam.
Kamban : A Tamil poet of 11th century who wrote
Ramayan in Tamil.
Mihir Bhoja : Famous Prathihara ruler of 9th century.
Kalhana - Famous Kashmiri poet and historian.He
wrote Raja Tarangini.
Marco Polo : Venitian Traveller to India in 13th
century.
Menander : He came to India as a foreign aggressor
in II Century BC. MilindaPanho, a book written
by Nagasena, is about him.
Nagarjuna : Famous Buddhist monk. He
popounded the philosophy known as
Madhyamika.
Makkali Gosala : Philosopher of 6th Century BC.
H was the founder of Ajivika sect.
Mihirkula : Huna conqueror defeated by
Yashodharma.
Skand Gupt : Last mighty Gupta ruler.
Shushrut : He was a doctor of Ayurvedic medicine.
He started the Dhanwantri branch and was
an expert in Plastic Surgery.
Pulikeshin II. Most powerful king of Chalukyas
of Vatapi who defeated Harshavardhana in North
and Mahendravarman of South.
Pushya Mitra sunga : He killed the last Mauryan
ruler and laid the foundation of Sunga dynasty in
185 BC.
Pliny : He was a Roman historian who wrote the
Natural History. He wrote about the Mauryas of
India.
Panini : Sanskrit scholar specially of Grammar.
He wrote Ashtadyayi.
Varahamihira : He was famous astronomer who
wrote Brihat Samhita.
Sankaracharya : He was born in Kaladi in Kerala.
He propagated Advaita Philosophy.
Selected Questions from
Ancient Indian History
The source of Swastika symbol
Indus Valley
Who is considered as the father of Indian
archaeoloy
Alexander Cunningham
Meter scale has been discovered from .........
Harappa
Weapon never used by the Indus people
Sword
What was the major industry in Chanhudaro?
Bead making
The word ‘Sindhan’ used by the Indus people
denoted
Cotton
Evidence of fractional burial has been excavated
from
Harappa
The word ‘godhume’ used in the vedic period
denote
Wheat
‘Yava’ denoted
Barley
Term used to denote rice in the vedic text
Vrihi
Vedic term sita denoted
Ploughed field
Which veda mentions about wheel
Rigveda
Vedi terms ‘Urvara’ or ‘kshetra’ denoted
Cultivated field
The famous frog hymn in Rig Veda throws light
to
Vedic education
Who was considered as the god of the vedas?
Varuna
Rigvedic term ‘Duhitri’ denoted
Milker of cows
Method used to calculate the number of cows in
the Vedic period
Ashtakarni
Part of which veda has prose part
Yajur Veda
Who spread Aryan religion in South India
Agasthya
Vedic term ‘Aghanya’ denotes
Cows
The term ‘Bharata’ and ‘Bharatavarsha’ were
first used in
Rig Veda
Upanishad which mentions the four Ashramas of
Vedic period
Jabala Upanishad
Largest number of hymns in Rigveda a are in
praise of
Indra
First town in the vedic period to use burned bricks
Kausambi
First reference about lending money for interest
can be found in
Satpatha Brahmana
Rigvedic paintings have been discovered from
Bhagvanpura. It is in which state ‘
Hariyana
Upanishad which mentions about police system
Brihadaranyaka Upanishads
God who was considered as God of Gods
Varuna
Community which was considered as untouchables
by the Buddhists.
Chandalas
The language used by the Jains to spread their
religion
Prakrit
Who is considered as the St.John of Buddhism
Ananda
Who is considered as Devil by the Buddhists
Mara
Three daughters of ‘Mara’
lust, emotion and desire
The ruler who persecuted Buddhists
Pushyamitrasunga
Major philosophic school of Bhagvatism
Vishishtadvaita
Earliest reference about Srikrishna can be found
in
Chandoghya Upanishad
Hindu God who found place in Greek literature
Sri Krishna
Jain Thirthankara, who was related to Sri Krishna
Rishabhadeva (Ist Thirthankara)
Tamil god of the Sangham age for War and Victory
Kottavai
Saint who founded the Saivism
Lakulisa
Tamil kingdom of the Sangham Age which sent
an ambassador to the court of Roman Emperor
Augusts
Pandyas
First Sangham was founded by
Saint Agasthya
Famous poetess of the Sangham period
Avvaiyar
Greeco-Roman traders who visited South India
during the Sangham period were denoted with
the term
Yavanas
Sangham work which describes about Buddhism
Manimekhalai
The word used by Ashoka to denote Buddha
Bhagavati
Ashokan inscriptions were desciphered by James
prince in the year
1837
Indo-Greek ruler who had his boundaries upto
Pataliputra
Menander
Yuchi ruler who introduced gold coins for the first
time
Vima Kadphesus
Edict which mentions about the relation between
India and China
Nagarjunakonda
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