DOCSLIB.ORG

Model Answers Indian Heritage & Culture and Indian Society

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Model Answers Indian Heritage & Culture and Indian Society MODEL ANSWERS for TEST – 6 INDIAN HERITAGE & CULTURE AND INDIAN SOCIETY (*Only for INSIGHT TEST SERIES STUDENTS) INSIGHT GS MAINS TEST SERIES GENERAL STUDIES TEST - VI INDIAN HERITAGE & CULTURE AND INDIAN SOCIETY Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 250 QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS (Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions) There are TWENTY questions printed in ENGLISH. All the questions are compulsory. The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it. Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in medium other than the authorized one. Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Answer all the following questions. Each question is to be answered in not more than 200 words. Each question carries equal marks. 1. “The continuity of the Indus Civilization into later ages was not confined to the religious and spiritual fields alone.” 12½ 2. Explain the social aspects of Jainism and assess the importance and relevance of Jain tenets to humanity. 12½ 3. Critically review the evolution of different schools of art in the Indian Sub-continent during post-Mauryan period and evaluate the socio-cultural factors responsible for it. 12½ 4. How the Sangam literary texts enlighten us about the characteristics of the culture and society of South India? 12½ 5. Trace the development of Indian cultural contacts in the South-east Asian countries during ancient and early medieval periods. 12½ 6. Evaluate the impact of the Sufi and Bhakti Movements on vernacular languages and life & thought of the common people. 12½ 7. Assess the educational system in early India and identify the important educational institutions of the period. 12½ Central Delhi: 60/17, Above Subway, Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi-110060 North Delhi: B-18, Satija House, Main Road, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi -110009 Ph: 011 - 45090051, 9818333201, 9871216382 INSIGHT GS MAINS TEST SERIES 8. Bring out the regional variations in the Indian temple’s architectural styles that developed in India. 12½ 9. Caste and Class are the two main forms of stratification in Indian society. Highlight the differences between both the forms of social stratification. Analyse the change in trend of stratification in Indian society. 12½ 10. What are the characteristic features of urban poverty and how do they differ from rural poverty, especially in terms of the implications for women’s lives? Is urban poverty a spillover of rural poor? 12½ 11. Explain the factors which have been responsible in maintaining joint Family system in India. What are the disintegrating trends taking place in this system? 12½ 12. “With the advent of women’s education in India and the influence of the west, the status of women in Indian society has changed”. Elucidate 12½ 13. Do you agree with the view that the entire development of towns in the Indian context is due to industrialization? Discuss briefly the factors which were responsible for the development of towns in India. 12½ 14. Describe the process of emergence of the middle class in India. What role has the middle class played in national development? 12½ 15. Highlight the ways in which Indian society can be strengthened as multi-cultural society. Is the dominance of single culture a hindrance to multiculturalism in India? 12½ 16. Critically examine the socio-economic consequences of the changing age-structure of India’s population. 12½ 17. Discuss the major problems of religious fundamentalism in contemporary India. Give suggestions to tackle these problems. 12½ 18. The demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland has brought back the issue of regionalism over nationalism. In this background, analyze the factors of regionalism in India. Suggest some measures to combat regionalism in India. 12½ 19. Critically comment upon the impact of globalization on the farmers in India. 12½ 20. Despite the decades of special status accorded to the tribal population in India, the social group has not made significant socio-economic progress. Elucidate. Highlight the approaches which have been employed so far for the welfare of tribals in India. 12½ Central Delhi: 60/17, Above Subway, Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi-110060 North Delhi: B-18, Satija House, Main Road, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi -110009 Ph: 011 - 45090051, 9818333201, 9871216382 INSIGHT GS MAINS TEST SERIES GS TEST – 6 MODEL ANSWERS 1. "The continuity of the Indus Civilization into later ages was not confined to the religious and spiritual fields alone." Analyse the statement. 12½ Approach of an Answer Give an introduction about the decline of Indus Civilization. Give a brief explanation about the continuity of religious and spiritual elements. Explain about the elements of continuity in other fields. Conclude with the significance of Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC). Introduction The decline of the physical aspects of the Indus civilization after 1800 BC did not lead to the total eclipse of all the traits of this civilization. Many of its features were observed in the later cultural developments. Though many of its features were seen in religious and spiritual fields, this continuity, however, is not confined to only those fields alone. Religious and Spiritual Field In the field of religion and spiritual, it may be suggested that the worship of Pashupati Shiva in his actual form as well as in the representative form as linga, the female deity interpreted as mother goddess, sacred tree, animals, serpent, religious symbols,etc. which were prevelant in the Harappan religion, were adopted in later Hinduism. Continuity in other fields Punch-marked coins, with their symbols reminiscent of the Indus valley script and weights, constitute an important survival of the Indus valley dating from before 400 BC. Some of the motifs, designs, shapes and forms found the pottery and terracotta objects at Mohenjodaro and Harappa find their counterpart in the objects discovered in Punjab and north-west belonging to the early centuries before Christian era. In the field of Science and Technology, the Harappan civilization greatly contributed to the similar future developments. It was the womb of mathematics. The numerical and decimal systems evolved there, which must have helped in the development of vedic Mathematics. The Harappan way of making baked pottery, bricks, beads, jewellery, textiles, etc. was adopted in the later civilization. It is to be remembered that one of the most remarkable achievements of this people was the cultivation of cotton. The foundation of brisk maritime trade with Central and West Asia was laid by the Harappan people. Central Delhi: 60/17, Above Subway, Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi-110060 North Delhi: B-18, Satija House, Main Road, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi -110009 Ph: 011 - 45090051, 9818333201, 9871216382 INSIGHT GS MAINS TEST SERIES Conclusion Thus, the Harappan Civilization remained a source of the ‘civilization process’ and many of its features were amalgamated in the later Indian Civilization. 2. Explain the social aspects of Jainism and assess the importance and relevance of Jain tenets to humanity. 12½ Approach of an Answer Give an introduction about the emergence of new ideas in 6th century BC. Explain about the social aspects of Jainism. Highlight the Importance and relevance of Jain tenets to humanity. Conclude by supporting the given argument. Introduction Numerous religious sects arouse in the middle of Gangetic plains in the second half of the sixth century B.C. Of these sects, Jainism was one of the most important and it emerged as the most potent religious reform movement. Social aspects of Jainism Many social aspects are ingrained in the tenets of Jainism. These are: It taught moral and peaceful ideas like not to commit violence, not to speak a lie not to steal, not to acquire property with greed or observance of brahmacharya. Jainism attached the utmost importance to non-injury or ahimsa to living beings. Jainism believed that through pure and meritorious life members of lower caste can attain salvation. It aims mainly at the attainment of freedom from worldly bonds. No ritual is required for such liberation. It can be obtained through right knowledge, right faith and right action. These three are considered to be the three jewels or triratna of Jainism. Such ideas influenced the trading class and eventually the Jainas mainly confined themselves to trade and mercantile activities. Importance and Relevance of Jain tenets to humanity These ideas have tremendous impact on humanity. Jainism made the first serious attempt to mitigate the evils of the varna order. Jainism prohibited war because it involves the killing of living beings. They adopted local language not the elite language so that common people could benefit from the progressive ideas. Central Delhi: 60/17, Above Subway, Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi-110060 North Delhi: B-18, Satija House, Main Road, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi -110009 Ph: 011 - 45090051, 9818333201, 9871216382 INSIGHT GS MAINS TEST SERIES In the age of terrorism, greedy capitalism, cut throat competition in almost all spheres of life, the tenets of Jainism helps in maintaining peaceful and equitable and just global order. Conclusion Thus, Jainism has many social aspects along with religious aspects and these 6th BC tenets and ideas are relevant for the humanity even in 21st Century AD. 3. Critically review the evolution of different schools of art in the Indian sub-continent during post-Mauryan period and evaluate the socio-cultural factors responsible for it. 12½ Approach of an Answer Introduce with the causes behind the emergence of different schools of art. Explain about the evolution of different schools of art in the Indian sub-continent.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Emergence of the Mahajanapadas
    The Emergence of the Mahajanapadas Sanjay Sharma Introduction In the post-Vedic period, the centre of activity shifted from the upper Ganga valley or madhyadesha to middle and lower Ganga valleys known in the contemporary Buddhist texts as majjhimadesha. Painted grey ware pottery gave way to a richer and shinier northern black polished ware which signified new trends in commercial activities and rising levels of prosperity. Imprtant features of the period between c. 600 and 321 BC include, inter-alia, rise of ‘heterodox belief systems’ resulting in an intellectual revolution, expansion of trade and commerce leading to the emergence of urban life mainly in the region of Ganga valley and evolution of vast territorial states called the mahajanapadas from the smaller ones of the later Vedic period which, as we have seen, were known as the janapadas. Increased surplus production resulted in the expansion of trading activities on one hand and an increase in the amount of taxes for the ruler on the other. The latter helped in the evolution of large territorial states and increased commercial activity facilitated the growth of cities and towns along with the evolution of money economy. The ruling and the priestly elites cornered most of the agricultural surplus produced by the vaishyas and the shudras (as labourers). The varna system became more consolidated and perpetual. It was in this background that the two great belief systems, Jainism and Buddhism, emerged. They posed serious challenge to the Brahmanical socio-religious philosophy. These belief systems had a primary aim to liberate the lower classes from the fetters of orthodox Brahmanism.
    [Show full text]
  • Socio- Political and Administrative History of Ancient India (Early Time to 8Th-12Th Century C.E)
    DDCE/History (M.A)/SLM/Paper-XII Socio- Political and Administrative History of Ancient India (Early time to 8th-12th Century C.E) By Dr. Binod Bihari Satpathy 0 CONTENT SOCIO- POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY OF ANCIENT INDIA (EARLY TIME TO 8th-12th CENTURIES C.E) Unit.No. Chapter Name Page No Unit-I. Political Condition. 1. The emergence of Rajput: Pratiharas, Art and Architecture. 02-14 2. The Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta: Their role in history, 15-27 Contribution to art and culture. 3. The Pala of Bengal- Polity, Economy and Social conditions. 28-47 Unit-II Other political dynasties of early medieval India. 1. The Somavamsis of Odisha. 48-64 2. Cholas Empire: Local Self Government, Art and Architecture. 65-82 3. Features of Indian Village System, Society, Economy, Art and 83-99 learning in South India. Unit-III. Indian Society in early Medieval Age. 1. Social stratification: Proliferation of castes, Status of women, 100-112 Matrilineal System, Aryanisation of hinterland region. 2. Religion-Bhakti Movements, Saivism, Vaishnavism, Tantricism, 113-128 Islam. 3. Development of Art and Architecture: Evolution of Temple Architecture- Major regional Schools, Sculpture, Bronzes and 129-145 Paintings. Unit-IV. Indian Economy in early medieval age. 1. General review of the economic life: Agrarian and Urban 146-161 Economy. 2. Indian Feudalism: Characteristic, Nature and features. 162-180 Significance. 3. Trade and commerce- Maritime Activities, Spread of Indian 181-199 Culture abroad, Cultural Interaction. 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT It is pleasure to be able to complete this compilation work. containing various aspects of Ancient Indian History. This material is prepared with an objective to familiarize the students of M.A History, DDCE Utkal University on the various aspcets of India’s ancient past.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Israel
    Abstract: The Bible shares its geography with geographies of all world religious literature; with geographies of all world epics and mythologies; with geographies of Alexander‘s India invasion records, Asoka‘ Rock Edicts, Ptolemy‘s Maps and his Geography, the Periplus, Pliny‘s Natural History, and with geographies of all ancient travellers‘ accounts. The Bible identifies the ‗first land‘ where all ancient monarchies appeared and disappeared. This land was at the ‗centre‘ of the earth where men and women walked with company of Gods. Great-Flood separated them from their ancient lands. In the ‗first land‘ ancient Israel finds its roots as an integral part of ‗ancient India‘. The distance between certain facts of ancient history, and the myths and legends disappears here. It becomes the meeting ground of all human civilizations. Humans‘ faith believes in geographical proclamation on Gods‘ real abode on earth, and man‘s first appearance on it. In its skeletons‘ museum, the ―first land‖ lives on the southern sea shore of Odisha near the Sun Temple at Konark remembering perpetual partnership of Gods with humans. It is discovery of the ―first land of human civilization‖ where every recorded primordial thing on humans‘ journey on earth, happened. Ancient Israel : Ancient Israel was an Integral part of ‘Ancient India’ & the ‘First Land of Human Civilization’ : By Akhil Kumar Sahoo Retd. Prof. Hebrew and its Geography: Meaning of Hebrew is linked to plains of Mamre(Gn.13:18; 14:13, 19:1 etc) where Abraham the Hebrew lived. Plains of Mamre where Amorites then dwelt was also called plain of Hebron (Gn.
    [Show full text]
  • Gupta-Empire
    Gupta Empire In Ancient India, the Gupta Dynasty ruled the mid-to-late 3rd century (approximately) to 543 AD. Founded by Sri Gupta, the dynasty rose to fame with rulers like Chandragupta-I, Samudragupta, etc. An important topic in the History syllabus, it is also important for the IAS Exam. This article will provide you with useful notes on the Gupta Empire. These notes will also be useful for other competitive exams like banking PO, SSC, state civil services exams, and so on. Origin of Gupta Empire The decline of the Mauryan empire resulted in the rise of two major political powers - the Kushanas and the Satavahanas in the north and south respectively. Both these empires brought political unity and economic growth in their respective areas. The Kushan reign in north India came to an end around c.230 CE and then a good part of central India came under the domain of the Murundas (possible kinsmen of the Kushanas). The Murundas ruled for only 25 - 30 years. Around the last decade of the 3rd century CE (about 275 CE), the dynasty of the Guptas came to power. The Gupta empire established its control over a good part of the former dominions of both the Kushanas and the Satavahanas. The Guptas (possibly Vaishyas) kept northern India politically united for more than a century (335 CE- 455 CE). • The Guptas are believed to have been feudatories of the Kushanas. • The original kingdom of the Guptas comprised Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with their centre of power at Prayag (U.P). • The Guptas set up their rule over the fertile plains of the Madhyadesha, also known as Anuganga (the middle Gangetic basin), Saketa (U.P Ayodhya), Prayag (U.P) and Magadha (mostly Bihar).
    [Show full text]
  • UNIT 1 the SUNGAS and KUSHANAS* the Sungas and Kushanas
    UNIT 1 THE SUNGAS AND KUSHANAS* The Sungas and Kushanas Structure 1.0 Objectives 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The Emerging Significance of North-West India 1.3 Sources 1.4 The Sungas 1.4.1 Territorial Control of the Sungas 1.4.2 Administrative Structure 1.4.3 Sunga Art 1.5 The Indo-Greeks 1.6 Indo-Scythians and Indo-Parthians 1.7 The Kushanas 1.7.1 Early Days 1.7.2 Territorial Expansion 1.7.3 Successors of Kanishka 1.7.4 Religious Policy of the Kushanas 1.7.5 Dynastic Sanctuaries of the Kushanas 1.8 New Elements in Indian Society 1.9 Non-Monarchical Powers 1.10 Summary 1.11 Key Words 1.12 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises 1.13 Suggested Readings 1.0 OBJECTIVES After reading this Unit, you will be able to learn about: political events in India from the close of the Mauryan period to about 300 CE; the assimilation of diverse foreign elements into the mainstream of Indian society; and the religious leanings of the rulers who came to control the north-west and north India between 200 BCE to 300 CE. 1.1 INTRODUCTION The collapse of the Mauryan rule in 187 BCE paved the way for the emergence of several powers in the Indian subcontinent. The period from the decline of the Mauryas to the rise of the Guptas (2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE) is known in Indian history as the post- Mauryan period. * Professor Suchandra Ghosh, Department of History, University of Calcutta, Kolkata.
    [Show full text]
  • Brahma's Hair
    BRAHMA'S HAIR ON THE MYTHOLOGY OF INDIAN PLANTS Maneka Gandhi Yasmin Singh 1 CORAL JASMINE Latin Name : Nyctanthes arbortristis English Names : Queen of the Night, Coral Jasmine Indian Names : Bengali: Shephalika, Siuli Hindi: Harashringara Marathi: Parijata, Kharsati Sanskrit: Parijata Tamil: Parijata, Paghala Family : Oleaceae Nyctanthes means Night Flower and arbortristis the Sad Tree. Parijata, the Sanskrit name, means descended from the sea. Harashringara is ornament of the gods or beautiful ornament. The flowers are gathered for religious offerings and to make garlands. The orange heart is used for dyeing silk and cotton, a practice that started with Buddhist monks whose orange robes were given their colour by this flower. The Parijata is regarded in Hindu mythology as one of the five wish-granting trees of Devaloka. Why the Parijata blooms at night A legend in the Vishnu Purana tells of a king who had a beautiful and sensitive daughter called Parijata. She fell in love with Surya, the sun. Leave your kingdom and be mine, said the sun passionately. Obediently Parijata shed her royal robes and followed her beloved. But the sun grew cold as he tired of Parijata and soon he deserted her and fled back to the sky. The young princess died heartbroken. She was burnt on the funeral pyre and from her ashes grew a single tree. From its drooping branches grew the most beautiful flowers with deep orange hearts. But. since the flowers cannot bear the sight of the sun, they only bloom when it disappears from the sky and, as its first rays shoot out at dawn, the flowers fall to the ground and die.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhism in India Buddhism in India Challenging Brahmanism and Caste
    Buddhism in India Buddhism in India Challenging Brahmanism and Caste Gail Omvedt SAGE Publications New Delhi • Thousand Oaks • London Buddhism in India Challenging Brahmanism and Caste Gail Omvedt SAGE Publications New Delhi • Thousand Oaks • London Copyright © Gail Omvedt, 2003 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo- copying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Dedicated to First published in 2003 by Sage Publications India Pvt Ltd T.W. Rhys Davids B-42, Panchsheel Enclave Caroline Augusta oley New Delhi 110017 and Sage Publications Inc Sage Publications Ltd D.D. Kosambi 2455 Teller Road 6 Bonhill Street Thousand Oaks, California 91320 London EC2A 4PU Published by Tejeshwar Singh for Sage Publications India Pvt Ltd, Typeset in 10/12 Class Garamond Normal by C&M Digitals (P) Ltd., Chennai and printed at Chaman Enterprises, New Delhi. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Omvedt, Gail. Buddhism in india: challenging Brahmanism and caste / Gail Omvedt. p. cm. Includes index. 1. Buddhism—Relations—Brahmanism. 2. Brahmanism—Relations— Buddhism. 3. Buddhism—India—History. I. Title. BQ4610.B7O49 294.3′0954—dc21 2003 2003006069 ISBN: 0–7619–9664–8 (US-Hb) 81–7829–128–2 (India-Hb) 0–7619–9665–6 (US-Pb) 81–7829–129–0 (India-Pb) Sage Production Team: Praveen Dev, Sayantani Dasgupta, Mathew P.J. and Santosh Rawat Copyright © Gail Omvedt, 2003 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo- copying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
    [Show full text]
  • REZA, Mohammad Habib & BANDYOPADHYAY, Soumyen
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by BRAC University Institutional Repository REZA, Mohammad Habib & BANDYOPADHYAY, Soumyen & MOWLA, Azizul Traces of Buddhist Architecture in Gupta and post-Gupta Bengal: Evidence from Inscriptions and Literature, July-September 2015 JOURNAL OF EURASIAN STUDIES Volume VII., Issue 3.pp 8-19 REZA, Mohammad Habib & BANDYOPADHYAY, Soumyen & MOWLA, Azizul Traces of Buddhist architecture in Gupta and post-Gupta Bengal: evidence from inscriptions and literature Abstract: This paper discusses the development of Buddhism in Bengal during the Gupta period and their traces in architecture found during the Gupta and post-Gupta periods by considering references made in inscriptions and literature from the period To do so, religious history of the pre-Gupta, Gupta and post- Gupta periods have been reviewed in the light of the development of Buddhism in Bengal and the related regions. Most probably Bengal came in touch with Buddhism during Buddha’s lifetime (c. 563 to 483 BCE). During the time between Buddha and Asoka (ruled 269 to 232 BCE) Buddhism became firmly rooted at the heart of this region so much so that hostile attitudes of some later dynasties could not wipe it out of Bengal. Tolerant outlook of local and regional Brahmin kings during the Guptas allowed Buddhism to flourish which was further boosted in the post-Gupta period by devout followers like the emperor, Harsavardhana, Devakhadga and his son Rajabhata. They supported Buddhist practices in the Samatata area of Bengal. Further, Deva kings enormously contributed towards Buddhist monasteries. Keywords: architecture, inscriptions, literary studies, Buddhist architecture, Bengal 1 | P a g e July-September 2015 JOURNAL OF EURASIAN STUDIES Volume VII., Issue 3.
    [Show full text]
  • The Complete Works of Sister Nivedita Vol 4
    THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SISTER NIVEDITA BIRTH CENTENARY PUBLICATION VOLUME IV OP SISTER NIVEDITA GIRLS' SCHOOL Published by The Secretary Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Sister Nivedita Girls' School 5 Nivedita Lane Calcutta 3 Printed by P. C. Ray Sri Gouranga Press Private Ltd. 5 Chintamani Das Lane Calcutta 9 RAMAKRISHNA SARADA MISSION SISTER NIVEDITA GIRLS' SCHOOL .First Edition October 1955 Price Rs. 1200 "Fourth Five Year Plan—Development of Modern Indian Langu- ages. The popular price of the book has been made possible through a subvention received from the Government of West Bengal." SOLE DISTRIBUTORS ANANDA PUBLISHERS .PRIVATE LTD. 5 CHINTAMANI DAS LANE CALCUTTA 9 CONTENTS Editor's Preface ... vii Chronological Tabic xiii Footfalls of Indian History The History of Man as Determined by Place 1 The History of India and its Study 5 The Cities of Buddhism 20 Rajgir: An Ancient Babylon 28 Bihar ... 40 The Ancient Abbey of Ajanta . 45 Fa-Hian 103 Elephanta, the Synthesis of Hinduism 113 Some Problems of Indian Research . 122 The Final Recension of the Mahabharata 133 The Relation between Buddhism.sand Hinduism 144 The Rise of Vaishna\ism under the Guptas 154 The Old Brahminical Learning 163 A Studv of Benares 178 Bodh-Gaya 193 Appendix I 199 Civic Ideal and Indian Nationality A Daily Aspiration for the Nationalist 205 A Prayer for Freedom 206 The Civic Ideal 207 Civic Symbolism in Mediaeval Europe 215 Civic Ideal in Classical City—Pompeii 222 ., Civic Elements in Indian Life ... 230 VI IT Pace The Present Position of Woman 235 The Modern Epoch and the National Idea 257 Unity of Life and Type in India .
    [Show full text]
  • Unit 12 Urban Centres and Other Types of Spaces
    UNIT 12 URBAN CENTRES AND OTHER TYPES OF SPACES* Structure 12.1 Intoduction 12.2 Primary Categories of Habitation 12.2.1 The Grama 12.2.2 The Aranya 12.3 Notions of Space After the Emergence of Urban Centres 12.3.1 The Middle Country 12.3.2 The Mahajanapadas 12.3.3 The Janapadas 12.3.4 The City 12.4 Spaces Around the City 12.4.1 Village 12.4.2 Ghosha 12.4.3 Forest 12.5 Summary 12.6 Exercises 12.7 References 12.1 INTRODUCTION The onset of urbanism engendered new ideas about the division of space in early India. We shall focus on the texts composed in north India. So, we shall discuss categories that emerged in the Brahmanical and the Buddhist traditions. Before we examine notions about space in the sixth century BCE, it will be useful to examine the notions of space in the pre-urban world. Our information about the pre urban phase is derived from the Vedic literature. The composers of the Vedas believed that they lived in the Saptasindhu (seven rivers) area. However, the idea of seven rivers as a region is not clearly specified. The horizon of the poets of the Vedic age was defined in terms of their proximity to rivers like Saraswati and Sutlej. 12.2 PRIMARY CATEGORIES OF HABITATION A study of the Vedic literature shows that the primary categories of habitation were defined in terms of contrast between the grama (village) and the aranya or vana (wilderness). 12.2.1 Grama The Rig Veda uses the word grama to refer to a body of men (jana).
    [Show full text]
  • The Guptas and the Vakatakas
    THE GUPTAS AND THE VAKATAKAS • After the fall of the Maurya Empire, the Kushans in the North and the Satavahanas in the Deccan emerged as the two major political powers. • They not only brought political unity and economic prosperity to these regions, but were also great stabilizing forces in their respective areas. • Around c. 230 CE, the Kushans’ reign ultimately came to an end in northern India, and a considerable part of its empire came under the suzerainty of the Murundas (possibly kinsmen of the Kushans). • The Murundas ruled for a short time span of about 25−30 years. • This was the Gupta Empire, which kept northern India politically united for more than a century. • The Guptas are believed to be feudatories of the Kushans. They are most likely Vaishyas in origin, and they ruled over fertile parts of the madhyadesha, that is, anuganga (the middle Gangetic basin), saketa (modern Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh), and Magadha (mostly Bihar). • Prayag (modern Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh) was probably their important centre of power, which, due to its strategic location, further aided in the expansion of the empire. • The Guptas could easily exploit the iron ore deposits of central India and southern Bihar, and also took advantage of their proximity to the areas of north India which carried on silk trade with the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman empire). • ‘Garuda’ was probably their state seal. • Historians often consider the Gupta period as the ‘Golden age’ of India’s past as it is often remembered for certain key classical features, such as • The political unification of a large part of the subcontinent under a mostly centralised government.
    [Show full text]
  • Download [ 5,71 MB ]
    This course material is designed and developed by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi and Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU), Guwahati. BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) IN HISTORY (BAHI) BHI-05 History of India-III (C.750-1206) BLOCK – 1 STUDYING EARLY MEDIEVAL INDIA:POLITICAL STRUCTURES UNIT-1 SOURCES: LITERARY AND ARCHAEOLOGY UNIT-2 EVOLUTION OF POLITICAL STRUCTURES: RAJPUTS AND CHOLAS UNIT-3 LEGITIMIZATION OF KINGSHIP: BRAHMANAS AND TEMPLES UNIT-4 ARAB CONQUEST OF SINDH: CAUSES AND IMPACT UNIT 1 : SOURCES: LITERARY AND ARCHAEOLOGY Structure 1.0 Objectives 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Literary Sources 1.2.1 Indigenous Literatures 1.2.2 Foreign Accounts 1.3 Archaeological Sources 1.3.1 Art and Architecture 1.3.2 Inscriptions 1.3.3 Coins 1.4 Let Us Sum Up 1.5 Key Words 1.6 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises 1.0 OBJECTIVES After reading this unit you will be able to know various literary and archaeological sources for the reconstruction of the early medieval Indian history, 1.1 INTRODUCTION The paucity of sources has always been an obstacle in re-constructing early medieval history. The advent of the Muslim rulers though brought about the culture of writing history as it prevailed in central and west Asia. The court histories are partisan history but the information’s are useful. Moreover, during this time travellers and chroniclers from near and far came to India and left their account that again is a valuable source of history. Thus, the main source of history of the early medieval period should be the historians and the foreign travellers of this period.
    [Show full text]