This paper introduces the students of history to the establishment of first monarchy from the stage where humans were hunter and gatherers. The growth of the first civilisation to the changes brought about by the introduction of metals like Iron in India is perceived as major milestones between the journey from a band society to the establishment of a complex hierarchical society. The paper therefore builds the understanding of the students of Indian history where the stress is laid on the plurality of our past – thence, “Our Pasts”. An attempt is made here that the students shall get most of the readings at one place. However, it is important to highlight here that even though an attempt has been made to provide topic specific articles but there are articles that are relevant for more than one topic. It is advisable therefore to go through as many readings as possible; rest is reader’s discretion.

यह पाठ्यक्रम इतिहास के छात्रों को पहली राजशाही की स्थापना से परिचित करवाती है जहां मनुष्य, शिकारी और संग्रहकर्ता थे। भारत में लौह जैसी धातुओं की शुरूआत से पहले हुए परिवर्तनों की पहली सभ्यता की वृद्धि समाज से एक जटिल श्रेणीबद्ध समाज की स्थापना के बीच प्रमुख मील के पत्थर के रूप में माना जाता है। कागज, इसलिए, भारतीय इतिहास के छात्रों की समझ का निर्माण करता है जो हमारे अतीत की विविधता पर आधारित है - हमारा अतीत। यहां एक प्रयास किया जाता है कि छात्रों को अधिकांश रीडिंग एक ही स्थान पर मिलें। हालाँकि, यहां यह बताना महत्वपूर्ण है कि भले ही विषय-विशिष्ट लेख उपलब्ध कराने का प्रयास किया गया हो, लेकिन ऐसे लेख हैं जो एक से अधिक विषयों के लिए प्रासंगिक हैं। इसलिए यह सलाह दी जाती है कि जितना संभव हो उतनी रीडिंगज़ पर नज़र डाले; बाकी पाठक का विवेक है।

Part-I: History of India-I 

I. Reconstructing ancient Indian history

REFERENCES:

1. A.L. Basham_ Introduction: India and Her Ancient Culture_ The Wonder that was India

[a] The Indian subcontinent: landscapes and environments

REFERENCES:

1. K.M. Panikar_ Geographical Factors in India

2. Upinder Singh_ Ideas of the Early Indian Past_A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century

3. A Vigasin_ Claudius Plotemy and the Political Geography of India

4. दिलीप कुमार चक्रवर्ती_ भारतीय इतिहास की भौगोलिक पृष्ठभूमि_ प्राचीन भारत का इतिहास 

5. रामशरण शर्मा_ पारिस्थितिकी और पर्यावरण_ प्रारंभिक भारत का परिचय 

6. रामशरण शर्मा_ भौगोलिक ढाँचा_ प्रारंभिक भारत का परिचय 

7. रोमिला थापर_ भू-दृश्य और लोग_ पूर्वकालीन भारत

[b] Sources and methods of historical reconstruction 

REFERENCES:

1. A.L. Basham_ Language and Literature_ The wonder that was India

2. A.L. Bahsam_ History: Ancient and Medieval Empires_ The wonder that was India

3. D.K. Bhattacharya_ Issues and Problems for Research in Prehistory_ An Outline of Indian Prehistory 

4. Ian Mabbet_ Gold in Ancient Indian Material and Religious Culture_ 

5. Upinder Singh_ Cultural Transition: Images from the Texts and Archaeology, c. 2000-600 BCE_ A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century

6. Upinder Singh_ Understanding Literacy and Archaeological Sources_ A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century

7. द्विजेन्द्र नारायण झा एवं कृष्ण मोहन श्रीमाली_ प्राचीन भारतीय इतिहास के स्त्रोत_ प्राचीन भारत का इतिहास

8. उपिंदर सिंह_ पाठ्यक्रम एवं पुरातात्विक स्रोतों की व्याख्या_ प्राचीन एवं पूर्व मध्यकालीन भारत का इतिहास : पाषाण काल से 12 वीं शताब्दी तक

9. रामशरण शर्मा_ पुरातत्व के द्वारा इतिहास का दुरुपयोग_ भारतीय इतिहास: एक पुनर्विचार

10. वी. के. जैन_ भारतीय पुरातात्विक अध्ययन एवं उसका महत्त्व_ भारत का प्रागैतिहासिक और आद्य इतिहास- एक अवलोकन 

11. रामशरण शर्मा_ स्त्रोतों के प्रकार और इतिहास का निर्माण_  प्रारंभिक भारत का इतिहास 

12. रामशरण शर्मा_ स्त्रोत और पद्दति_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनितिक विचार एवं संस्थाएँ

[c] Changing historical interpretations 

REFERENCES:

1. Romila Thapar_ Interpretations of Ancient Indian History_ History and Theory

2. Romila Thapar_ Reporting History_ Social Scientists 

3. D. K. Bhattacharya_ Measuring Time_ AN Outline of Indian Prehistory

4. Romila Thapar_ Ideology and Interpretation of Early Indian History_ History and Beyond 

5. रामशरण शर्मा_  प्राचीन भारत इतिहास के आधुनिक लेख_ प्रारम्भिक भारत का परिचय 

6. रामशरण शर्मा_ भारत के इतिहास लेखन में प्रमुख प्रवृतियाँ_  भारतीय इतिहास: एक पुनर्विचार 

[d] Early Indian traditions of history

REFERENCES:

1. Romila Thapar_ Tradition of History Writing in India_History and Beyond

2. K.A. Nilakantha Shastri_ The Land in relation to History_ A History of South India

3. E. Shreedharan_ Ancient Indian Historiography_ A Textbook of Historiography

4. K.A. Nilakantha Shastri_ Survey of the Sources_ A History of South India

5. रामशरण शर्मा_ विचार निर्माण में इतिहास की भूमिका_ भारतीय इतिहास: एक पुनर्विचार 

6. रोमिला थापर_ अतीत के बोध_ पूर्वकालीन भारत 

II. Prehistoric hunter-gatherers

[a] Understanding Prehistory in India 

REFERENCES:

1. D.K Bhattacharya_ Introduction_ An Outline of Indian Prehistory

2. D. K Bhattacharya_ Indian Prehistory ( A Prelude)_ An Outline of Indian Prehistory

3. D. K Bhattacharya_ General Prehistory_ An Outline of Indian Prehistory

4. D. K Bhattacharya_ Terminology_ An Outline of Indian Prehistory

5. P.Shanmugam _ Before the Common Era- Beginnings of South Indian History_ A Concise History of South India

6. D.N.Jha_From Prehistory to Civilization_ Early India: A Concise History

7. Jerome Jacobson_Recent Developments in South Asian Prehistory & Protohistory_

8. वी. के जैन_ परिचय_ भारत का प्रागैतिहास और आद्य-इतिहास - एक अवलोकन 

9. द्विजेन्द्र नारायण झा एवं कृष्ण मोहन श्रीमाली_आद्य इतिहास_रामशरण शर्मा_ की किताब_ प्राचीन भारत का इतिहास 

[b] Palaeolithic cultures 

REFERENCES:

1. D.K Bhattacharya_ Middle Paleolithic_ An Outline of Indian Prehistory

2. A. L. Basham_ Prehistory: The Harappa Culture and The Aryans_ The Wonder that was India

3. Bridget and Raymond Allchin_Hunter-Gatherers and Nomadic Pastoralists_ Constituent Elements

4. D.K Bhattacharya_Lower Paleolithic or Early Stone Age_ An Outline of Indian Prehistory

5. Upinder Singh_ Hunters and Gatherers of the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Ages_ A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India

6. उपिंदर सिंह_ पुरापाषाण तथा मध्यपाषाण युगों के आखेटक-संग्राहक_ प्राचीन एवं पूर्व मध्यकाल भारत का इतिहास 

7. वी.के जैन_पुरापाषाणकालीन संस्कृतियाँ_ भारत का प्रागैतिहास और आद्य-इतिहास - एक अवलोकन 

[c] Mesolithic cultures: The prehistoric mind: funerary practices and art 

REFERENCES:

1. D.K Bhattacharya_ Mesolithic_ An Outline of Indian Prehistory

2. वी.के.जैन_ मघ्यपाषाणकालीन संस्कृतियाँ_ भारत का प्रागैतिहास और आद्य-इतिहास - एक अवलोकन 

[d] Paleolithic stone industries & new technological developments in Mesolithic Age 

REFERENCES:

1. D.K Bhattacharya_ Prehistoric: Techniques and Types_ An Outline of Indian Prehistory

III. The advent of food production

New discoveries; the regional and chronological distribution of the neolithic and chalcolithic cultures; subsistence; patterns of interaction and exchange

REFERENCES :

1. A. L. Basham_ The Harappan Culture and The Aryans_The Wonder That was India

2. Bridget & Raymond Allchin_ The Relationship of Neolithic and Later Settled Communities With Those of Late Stone Age and Gatherers in Peninsular India_ Indian Society: Historical Probings

3. B. D. Raju_ The Settlement and Subsistence Pattern of Neolithic Culture of Lower Krishna Valley_ Proceedings of the Indian History Congress Vol. 49

4. Bhairabi Prasad Sahu_Patterns of Animal use in Ancient India_ Iron and Social Change in Early India

IV. The Harappan civilization

Origins; settlement patterns and town planning; agrarian base; craft production and trade; social and political organization; religious beliefs and practices; art; the problem of urban decline and the late/post-Harappan traditions

REFERENCES:

1. Brian Fagan & Nadia Durrani_ Early States in South and  South-East Asia_ People of the Earth

2. B.K. Thapar & M. Rafique Mughal_ The Indus Valley Civilization (3000-1500 B.C.)_ in_ edited by A.H. Dani and J.P. Mohan_ History of Humanity: Scientific and Cultural Development. Vol II

3. Bridget Allchin & Raymond Allchin_ The Aftermath of Civilization in Peninsular India_ The Rise of Civilization in India and Pakistan

4. A.L. Basham_ Prehistory: The Harappa Culture and Aryans_ The Wonder That was India

V. Cultures in transition up to c. 600 BCE

The Aryan question; Vedic society. Settlement patterns; technological and economic developments; social stratification; political relations; religion and philosophy; megaliths

[a] North India 

[b] Central India and the Deccan 

[c] South India

REFERENCES:

1. F.W. Elliss_ The Dravidian Proof_Thomas R. Trautmann_ The Aryan Debate

2. Niharranjan Ray_  Technology and Social Change in Early Indian History_ B. P. Sahu_ Iron and Social Change in India

3. M.A. Mehendale_ Indo-Aryans, Indo-Iranians and Indo-Europeans_Thomas R. Trautmann_ The Aryan Debate

4. K.A. Nilakantha Shastri_ A Dawn of History: Aryanization_ A History of South India

5. P. Shanmugam_ Before the Common Era: Beginnings of South Indian History_ Noboru Karashima_ A Concise History of South History

6. J.S. Grewal_ State Formation and Social Stratification (c. 1000 Bc-200 Bc)_  The Social and Cultural History of Punjab

7. Dilip K. Chakrabarti_ Beginning of Iron and Social Change in India_ B. P. Sahu_ Iron and Social Change in Early India

8. Rakesh Tewari_ The Origins of Iron- Working in India

9. Radomir Pleiner_ The Problem of the Beginning of the Iron Age in India_ B. P. Sahu_ Iron and Social Change in India

10. Ram Sharan Sharma_ Stages in Ancient Economy 1: Bronze Age Urbanism to Iron based Agriculture_ Perspective in Social and Economic History of Early India

11. Madhav M. Deshpande_ Vedic Aryans, Non- Vedic Aryans and Non-Aryans_  Thomas R. Trautmann_ The Aryan Debate

12. A.L. Basham_ Prehistory: The Harappan Culture and The Aryans_ The wonder the was India

13. D. K. Bhattahcarya_ Iron Age_ An Outline of Indian Prehistory

14. Dilip K. Chakrabarti and Nayanjot Lahiri_ The Iron Age in India-The Beginning and Consequences_ B. P. Sahu_ Iron and Social Change in India

15. M.D.N Sahi_ Agricultural Production  during the Early Iron Age in Northern India_ B. P. Sahu_ Iron and Social Change in India

16. Bridget and Raymond Allchin_ The Arrival of Indo-Aryan speaking People and the spread of the Indo-Aryan Languages_The Legacy of the Indus Civilization

17. Rajan Gurukkal_ Aspects of Early Iron Age Economy: Problems of Agrarian Expansion in Tamilakam_  B. P. Sahu_ Iron and Social Change in India

18. M.B. Emenau_ Linguistic Prehistory of India_ Thomas R. Trautmann_ The Aryan Debate

19. D.N. Jha_ The Vedic Life_ Early India: A Concise History

20. Ranbir Chakravarti_ India during the Days of Vedic Corpus (c. 1500-600 BC)_ Exploring Early India

21. Savita Jaiswal_  Studies in the Social Structure of the Early Tamils_ R.S. Sharma and Vivekanand Jha_ Indian Society: Historical Probings

22. Sir John Marshall_ The Indus Civilization__ Thomas R. Trautmann_ The Aryan Debate

23. Sir William Jones_ Indo-European_ Thomas R. Trautmann_ The Aryan Debate

24. Shereen Ratnagar_ The End of Harappan Civilisation_ Thomas R. Trautmann_ The Aryan Debate

25. Romila Thapar_ Some Appropriations of the Theory of  Aryan Race Relating to the Beginnings of Indian History_ Thomas R. Trautmann_ The Aryan Debate

26. Romila Thapar_ Dana and Dakshina as Forms of Exchange_Ranbir Chakrabarti_ Trade in Early India

27. Vibha Tripathi_ Impacts of Metal Technology on Economic Development_  B. P. Sahu_ Iron and Social Change in India

28. Thomas R. Trautmann_ Constructing the Racial Theory of Indian Civilization_ The Aryan Debate

29. Walter Rubin_ Outline of the Structure of Indian Society_  R.S. Sharma and Vivekanand Jha_ Indian Society: Historical Probings

30.  Romila Thapar_ Towards Chiefdom and Kingdoms c. 1200-600 BC_ Early India

31. रामशरण शर्मा_ पूर्वकालीन परिषद_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनितिक विचार एवं संस्थाएँ

32. रणवीर चक्रवर्ती_ भारतीय इतिहास में वैदिक युग_ भारतीय इतिहास का आदिकाल

33. रोमिला थपार_  आर्य की अवधरणा और इतिहास लेखन_  आर्य: संरचना का पुनर्गठन 

34. रामशरण शर्मा_ सभा और समिति_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनितिक विचार एवं संस्थाएँ

35. रामशरण शर्मा_ प्राचीन भारतीय राज्यव्यवस्था के विभिन्न चरण (वैदिक तथा वैदिकोत्तर)_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनितिक विचार एवं संस्थाएँ

36. रामशरण शर्मा_  विदथ : भारतीय आर्यों की सबसे पुरानी सभा_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनीतिक विचार एवं संस्थाएँ

Part-II: History of India-II 

I. Introducing the early historical

[a] The city

[b] Writing 

[c] The state and the forest

REFERENCES:

1. R.S. Sharma_Historical Archaeology and Problems of Urban Decay_Urban Decay in India

2.G.P. Singh_Historical Writings on South India_Ancient Indian Historiography: Sources and Interpretations

3.A. Ghosh_The City in Early Historical India_in_B.P. Sahu_Iron and Social Change in Early India

4. Makkhan Lal_Iron Tools, Forest Clearance and Urbanization in the Gangetic Plains_in_ B.P. Sahu_Iron and Social Change in Early India

5. Rajan Gurukkal_Tribes, Forest, and Social Formations in Early South India_Social Formations of Early South India

6. Romila Thapar_ States and Cities of the Indo-Gangetic Plain c. 600-300 BC_ Early India

7. रोमिला थापर_विचारधारा और राज्य_वंश से राज्य तक

8. रामशरण शर्मा_प्राचीन भारत में राज्यनिर्माण के चरण_प्राचीन भारत में राजनितिक विचार एवं संस्थाएँ

9. रामशरण शर्मा_प्राचीन राजन्त्र का अध्ययन_भारतीय इतिहास: एक पुर्नविचार

10. रामशरण शर्मा_राज्य की उत्पत्ति का अनुबंध सिद्धांत: ऐतिहासिक सर्वेक्षण_प्राचीन भारत में राजनितिक विचार एवं संस्थाएँ

11. रामशरण शर्मा_शहरी इतिहास का खाका_भारतीय इतिहास: एक पुर्नविचार

12. रामशरण शर्मा_राज्य की उत्पत्ति के संपत्ति, परिवार और वर्ण संबंधी सिद्धांत_प्राचीन भारत में राजनितिक विचार एवं संस्थाएँ

13. रामशरण शर्मा_प्राचीन भारतीय राज्यव्यवस्था पर इतिहासलेखन 1930 ई. तक_प्राचीन भारत में राजनितिक विचार एवं संस्थाएँ

14. रोमिला थापर_ वंश समाज_वंश से राज्य तक

15. रणवीर चक्रवर्ती _ संघात, सम्मिश्रण, समन्वयः राजनीती, समाज एवं संस्कृति (अनुमानतः 200 ई.पू. से 300 ई.)_भारतीय इतिहास आदिकाल

16. रामशरण शर्मा_शूद्रों पर लेखन-क्रिया_भारतीय इतिहास: एक पुर्नविचार

II. Changing political formations (c. 600 BCE to c. 300 CE)

[a] The mahajanapadas; monarchies and ganas/sanghas

REFERENCES:

1. D.N.Jha_Of Invasions,Trade,and Culture c.200 BC- AD 300_ Early India: A Concise History of India

2.A. L. Basham_ The State: Political Life and Thought_ The Wonder that was India

3. Upinder Singh_Cities, Kings, and Renunciants: North India, c. 600-300 BCE_ A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India

4. D.N.Jha_Early State Formation_ Early India: A Concise History of India

5. Hermann Kulke, Dietmar Rothermund_The Great Ancient Empires_ in_ A History of India_ Hermann Kulke and Dietmar Rothermund

6. रामशरण शर्मा_मौर्यपूर्व उत्तर भारत में करारोपण तथा राज्य संरचना_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनीतिक वीचार एवं संस्थाएं 

7. रोमिला थापर_ राज्य तक संक्रमण_ वंश से राज्य तक 

8. रोमिला थापर_ सिंधू गंगा के मैदान राज्य और नगर (लगभग 600-300 ई. पू.)_ पूर्वकालीन भारत 

9. रामशरण शर्मा_रत्नहवींषी संस्कार_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनीतिक वीचार एवं संस्थाएं 

10. रणवीर चक्रवर्ती _ षोडश महाजनपदों का काल ; राजनीतिक, आर्थिक एवं सांस्कृतिक परिवर्तन_ भारतीय इतिहास का आदिकाल 

11. रोमिला थापर _सरदारतंत्रों और राजनीति के ओर_ पूर्वकालीन भारत

12. रामशरण शर्मा_प्रारम्भिक भारत के राज्य एंव अर्थव्यवस्था पर कुछ पश्चिमी विचार_ भारतीय इतिहास:एक पुनर्विचार 

[b] The Mauryan empire: political structure; Ashoka and his dhamma 

REFERENCES :

1. Romila Thapar_The Background & the Sources_ Early India

2. Romila Thapar_A Translation of the Edicts of Ashoka_ Early India

3. Romila Thapar_Internal Administration & Foreign Relations_ Early India

4. Ranabir Chakravarti_ The Maurya Empire (c.325-185 BC)_ Exploring Early India

5. Romila Thapar_The Geographical Locations of the Edicts_ Early India

6. Romila Thapar_Towards Definition of an Empire: The Mauryan State_ The Maurya Revisited

7. Romila Thapar_The Decline of the Mauryas_ Early India

8. Upinder Singh_ Power and Piety: The Mauryan Empire, c. 324-187 BCE_ A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India

9. D.N.Jha_The First Empire_ Early India: A Concise History

10. Patrick Olivelle_Asoka's Inscriptions as Text and Ideology_ Reimagining Ashoka

11. K.A Nilakantha Sastri_The Age of the Mauryan Empire_ A History of South India

12. Romila Thapar_The Emergence of Empire: Mauryan India; c. 321-185 BC_ Early India

13. Hermann Kulke and Dietmar Rothermund_The Great Ancient Empires_ in_ A History of India_ Hermann Kulke and Dietmar Rothermund

14.रोमिला थापर_ अभिलेखों की भौगोलिक अवस्थिति_ अशोक और मौर्य साम्राज्य का पतन 

15. रोमिला थापर_ धम्म नीति_ अशोक और मौर्य साम्राज्य का पतन

16. रोमिला थापर_साम्राज्य का उदय: मौर्यकालीन भारत (लगभग 321-185 ईं.पू.)_ पूर्वकालीन भारत 

17. रोमिला थापर_पृष्ठभूमि और स्रोत_ अशोक और मौर्य साम्राज्य का पतन

18. रोमिला थापर_आंतरिक प्रशासन और वैदेशिक संबंध_ अशोक और मौर्य साम्राज्य का पतन

19. रामशरण शर्मा_सप्तांग राज्य सिद्धांत_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनीतिक वीचार एवं संस्थाएं

20. उपिंदर सिंह_राजसत्ता और धम्मसत्ता: मौर्य साम्राज्य_ प्राचीन एवं पूर्व मध्यकालीन भारत का इतिहास 

21. रणवीर चक्रवर्ती _ मौर्यकालीन भारत (अनुमानतः 325 ई. पू. से 185 ई. पू.)_ भारतीय इतिहास का आदिकाल 

22. रोमिला थापर _ मौर्य वंश का पतन_ अशोक और मौर्य साम्राज्य का पतन

23. रामशरण शर्मा_कौटिलीय 'अर्थशास्त्र' में धर्म और राजनीति_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनीतिक वीचार एवं संस्थाएं

24. रोमिला थापर_ अशोक के अभिलेखों का अनुवाद_ अशोक और मौर्य साम्राज्य का पतन

[c] Post-Mauryan polities with special reference to the Kushanas and the Satavahanas 

REFERENCES:

1. K.A.Nilakantha Sastri_ Social, Economic and Religious Conditions_ Early History of the Andhra Country

2. K.A.Nilakantha Sastri_ The Later Satavahanas_ Early History of the Andhra Country

3. K.A.Nilakantha Sastri_The Satavahanas and Their Successors_ Early History of the Andhra Country

4. Upinder Singh_Interaction and Innovation, c. 200 BCE-300 CE_ A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India

5. Suchandra Gosh_From the Oxus to the Indus:Religion and Politics of the Bactrian and Indo-Greek Rulers_ From the Oxus to the Indus

6. Ranabir Chakravarti_The Kushanas_ Political History and Administration 

7. K.A.Nilakantha Sastri_ Administrative Arrangements in the Satavahana Empire_ Early History of the Andhra Country

8. Y.Subbarayalu_ First Century BCE to Fifth Century CE- The Satavahanas, the Early Tamil Polities and Their Successors_ A Concise History of South India

9. K.A.Nilakantha Sastri_Origins of Satavahana Power_ Early History of the Andhra Country

10. K.A.Nilakantha Sastri_ The Early Satavahanas_ Early History of the Andhra Country

11. रामशरण शर्मा_कुषाण राज्यव्यवस्था_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनीतिक वीचार एवं संस्थाएं

12. रामशरण शर्मा_प्राचीन भारतीय राज्यव्यवस्था के विभिन्न चरण- मौर्यकालीन अवस्था: केंद्रीकृत नौकरशाही का काल_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनीतिक वीचार एवं संस्थाएं

13. रामशरण शर्मा_सातवाहन राज्यव्यवस्था_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनीतिक वीचार एवं संस्थाएं

[d] Tamilakam

REFERENCES:

1. K A Nilakantha Sastri_The Age of Sangam and After_ A History of South India

2. K.A.Nilakantha Shastri_ The Age of The Mauryan Empire_  A History of South India

3. M.G.S Narayanan_The Cult of War as Class Ideology in The Sangam Age in South India_ Indian History Congress Journal

4. Rajan Gurukkal_Early Iron Age Economy: Problems of Agrarian Expansion in Tamilakam_ Social Formations of Early South India

5. P.K. Basant_The Idea Of the 'South' (Daksina) in Early India_ 

6. K.A.N.Sastri_The Age of Sangam & After_ A History of South India

7. Shinu A. Abraham_Chera, Chola, Pandya: Using Archaeological Evidence to Identify the Tamil Kingdoms of Early Historic South India_ Asian Perspectives

III. Economy and society (c. 600 BCE to c. 300 CE)

[a] Expansion of agrarian economy and production relations 

[b] Urban growth: north India, central India, the Deccan and south India; craft production; trade interactions across India, Asia and beyond

REFERENCES:

1.RS Sharma_Urban Growth and Decay in the North_Urban Decay in India, C. 300-c. 1000

2. Krishna Mohan Shrimali_Pali Literature and Urbanism_A People's History of India 4: The Age of Iron and the Religious Revolution, C. 700 – C. 350 BC

3. Ram Sharan Sharma_Urbanism in Early Historic Times_Perspectives in Social and Economic History of Early India

4. Shailendra Mohan Jha_Problems of the Study of Punchmarked Coins_in_Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol. 50

5. Krishna Mohan Shrimali_Social Structure and Commercial Pursuits in Early India: Reflections on some Conceptual Issues_in_Kesavan Veluthat and Donald R. Davis_Irreverent History: Essays for M.G.S. Narayanan

6. Ranabir Chakravarti_Confrontations, Commerce and Cultural Scenario (c. 200 BC-AD 300)_Exploring Early India Up to c. AD 1300

7. Romila Thapar_Society & Economic Activity_Aśoka And The Decline Of The Mauryas 

8. Himanshu Prabha Ray- Trade Networks in North-West India and Bactria: The Material Record of Indo-Greek Contact_in_D.N. Jha_The Complex Heritage of Early India: Essays in Memory of R.S. Sharma

9. R.S Sharma_Urban Growth and Decay: Central and Western Region_Urban Decay in India, C. 300-c. 1000

10. Ranjan Gurukkal_Forms of Production and Forces of Change in the Ancient Tamil Society_in_Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol. 48 (1987)

11. Romila Thapar_Of Politics and Trade c. 200 BC-AD 300_Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300

12. R.S Sharma_Urban Growth and Decay; The Middle Gangetic Plains and Eastern Regions_Urban Decay in India, C.300-c. 1000

13. Romila Thapar_The Rise of the Mercantile Community c. 200 BC-AD 300_Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300

14. R.S Sharma_Urban Growth and Decay in the South_Urban Decay in India, C.300- c.1000

15. R.S Sharma_Explaining the Urban Eclipse_Urban Decay in India, C.300-c. 1000

16. Romila Thapar_Pottery & Coins of the Mauryan Period_Aśoka and the Decline of the Mauryas

17. A. L. Basham_The Art: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Music and The Dance: The Spirit of Indian Art _The Wonder That Was India: A survey of the history and culture of the Indian sub-continent before the coming of the Muslims

18. रोमिला थापर_ समाज और आर्थिक गतिविधि_अशोक तथा मौर्य साम्राज्य का पतन

19. रोमिला थापर_ मौर्यकाल के मृदभांड और सिक्के_अशोक तथा मौर्य साम्राज्य का पतन

20. रोमिला थापर_बातें राजनीति और व्यापर की (लगभग 200 ईं.पू. - 300 ईं.)_भारत का इतिहास

21. रोमिला थापर_व्यापारी समुदाय का उदय (लगभग 200 ई.पू.-300 ईं)_भारत का इतिहास

[c] Social stratification: class; varna; jati; untouchability; gender; marriage and property relations

REFERENCES:

1. D.D. Kosambi_Early Stages of the Caste System in Northern India

2. A. L. Basham_ Society: Class, Family and Individual_The Wonder That Was India Vol. 1: A survey of the history and culture of the Indian sub-continent before the coming of the Muslims

3. Jaya Tyagi_Re-Constructing the Social Histories of the Puranas: Kings and Wives as Upholders of Propriety in the Matsyamahapurana_in_D.N Jha_The Complex Heritage of Early India, Essays in Memory of R.S.Sharma

4. Jaya Tyagi_The Dynamics Of the Early Indian Household: Domesticity, Patronage and Propriety in Textual Traditions_in_Kumkum Roy_Looking Within, Looking Without Exploring Households in the Subcontinent Through Time, Essays in Memory of Nandita Prasad Sahai

5. Kumkum Roy_ Defining the Household: Some Aspects of Prescription and Practice in Early India_The Power of Gender and The Gender of Power: Explorations in early Indian History

6. Ram Sharan Sharma_Co-references to Women and Sudra in Early Literature_Perspective in Social and Economic History of Early India

7. Ram Sharan Sharma_Stages in Social Evolution and Class Differentiation_Perspective in Social and Economic History of Early India

8. Kumkum Roy_ Engendering the Urban World: An Investigation of Early Indian Textual Traditions_The Power of Gender & the Gender of Power: Explorations in Early Indian History

9. Kumkum Roy_World Within And World Without: Representations of the Sangha in 'Popular' Tradition_Looking Within, Looking Without Exploring Households in the Subcontinent Through Time, Essays in Memory of Nandita Prasad Sahai

10. Kumkum Roy_ Gender Relations during the First Millenium: An Overview_The Power of Gender & the Gender of Power: Explorations in Early Indian History

11. Kumkum Roy_Perception of Power: An Analysis of The Paryaya Sukta (8.10) of The Atharva Veda_Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol. 52 (1991)

12. Kumkum Roy_ Representations of Gender Relations in Early India: Exploring the Plays of Kalidasa_The Power of Gender & the Gender of Power: Explorations in Early Indian History

13. Romila Thapar_Social Mobility in Ancient India with Special Reference to Elite Groups_Ancient Indian Social History Some Interpretations

14. Ram Sharan Sharma_Historiography of the Ancient Indian Social Order_Perspective in Social and Economic History of Early India

15. J.S. Grewal_Socio-Cultural Diversification (c. 200 BC-AD 400)_Social and Cultural History of Punjab

16. Vivekanand Jha_Caste, Untouchability and Social Justice Early North Indian Perspective_Social Scientist, Vol. 25, (Nov-Dec., 1997)

17. देवराज चानना- दासता और कौटिल्य_स्लेवरी इन एंशियंट इंडिया

18. देवराज चानना - महाकाव्यों में वणिर्त दास प्रथा_स्लेवरी इन एंशियंट इंडिया

19. देवराज चानना_ भारत में दस्प्रथा: अध्याय की परंपरा_स्लेवरी इन एंशियंट इंडिया

20. देवराज चानना- पूर्ववृत्त_स्लेवरी इन एंशियंट इंडिया

21. देवराज चानना - बौध्दकालीन दास प्रथा_स्लेवरी इन एंशियंट इंडिया

IV. Towards early medieval India (c. 4th century to 750 CE)

REFERENCES:

1. Hermann Kulke and Dietmar Rothermund_The Regional Kingdoms of Early Medieval India_ A History of India 

[a] Introducing the early medieval: changing perspectives 

REFERENCES:

1. R.S. Sharma_ Social Changes in Early Medieval India (circa AD 500-1200)_  Rethinking India’s Past

2. R.S. Sharma_ Introducing Early Medieval Indian Society_ Rethinking India’s Past

3. Rajan Gurukkal_Social Formation From the Ancient to Early Medieval_ Social Formations of Early South India 

4. Ranabir Chakravarti_ A Political,Social and Cultural Overview (AD 300-600) _ Exploring Early India

5. रामशरण शर्मा_ सामंती मानसिकता_ पूर्व- मध्यकालीन भारत का सामंती समाज और संस्कृति 

6. रोमिला थापर _ संक्रमण काल (लगभग 300- 600 ई.) _ पूर्वकालीन भारत 

7. रामशरण शर्मा_कलियुग: सामाजिक संकट तथा परिवर्तन का काल _ पूर्व- मध्यकालीन भारत का सामंती समाज और संस्कृति

8. रणवीर चक्रवर्ती _ मानक परिस्थितियों का प्रकाशन (अनुमानतः 300 ई. से 600 ई.) _ भारतीय इतिहास का आदि काल 

9. रामशरण शर्मा_प्राचीनता का मध्ययुगीनता में परिवर्तन_ भारतीय इतिहास : एक पुनर्विचार 

10. रामशरण शर्मा_ प्राचीन से मध्यकाल की ओर संक्रमण _ पूर्व- मध्यकालीन भारत का सामंती समाज और संस्कृति

[b] The nature of polities: the Gupta empire and its contemporaries; post-Gupta polities -Pallavas, Chalukyas and Vardhanas

REFERENCES:

1. K A Nilakantha Sastri_The Balance of Two Empires_ A History of South India

2. Upinder Singh_ Aesthetics and Empire, c. 300-600 CE_ A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India

3. K A Nilakanta Sastri_The Age of the Four Kingdoms_ A History of South India

4. Romila Thapar_The Peninsula: Emerging Regional Kingdoms c. AD 500-900_ Early India

5. रामशरण शर्मा_गुप्त राज्यव्यवस्था_ प्राचीन भारत में राजनीतिक विचार एवं संस्थाएँ

6. रोमिला थापर _ उत्तर भारत की राजनीति (लगभग 700- 1200 ई.)_ पूर्वकालीन भारत

[c] Agrarian expansion; land grants; changing production relations; graded land rights and peasantry

REFERENCES:

1. D.N.Jha_Emergence of Feudal India_ Emergence of Feudal India

2. Ram Sharan Sharma_Stages in Ancient Economy II State Production to Feudal Economy_ Perspectives in Social and Economic History of Early India 

3. R.S Sharma_Agrarian Expansion_ Urban Decay in India

4. J.S. Grewal_The Proliferation of States, Agrarian Expansion and Socio-cultural Change (c. 400-1000)_ Social and Cultural History of the Punjab

5. D.N.Jha_Feudal Beginnings in the 'Golden Age'_ Early India: A Concise History

6. Raghavendra Vajpeyi_Gupta Perception of Indian Reality and Feudalism*

7. Kesavan Veluthat_Land Rights and Social Stratification_ Rethinking Early Medieval India 

8. Ram Sharan Sharma_An Analysis of Land Grants and their Value for Economic History_Perspectives in Social and Economic History of Early India

9. R.S Sharma _ Feudal Elements in Pala and Pratihara Polity A.D. (750-1000)_ Studies in Asian History

10. रामशरण शर्मा_कृषक-विरोध और सामाजिक संतुलन_ पूर्व- मध्यकालीन भारत का सामंती समाज और संस्कृति

11. रामशरण शर्मा_भूमिदानपत्र (राजशासन) का कानूनी पक्ष_ पूर्व- मध्यकालीन भारत का सामंती समाज और संस्कृति

12. रामशरण शर्मा_कृषक-विरोध और सामाजिक संतुलन_ पूर्व- मध्यकालीन भारत का सामंती समाज और संस्कृति

[d] Urban patterns; trade and currency 

REFERENCES:

1. R.S.Sharma_Usury in Early Medieval India_ Trade in Early India

2. R.S. Sharma_Coins and Problems of Early Economic History_ Perspectives in Social and Economic History of Early India

3. रामशरण शर्मा_ धातु के सिक्कों की कमी (लगभग 500 -1000 ई.)_ पूर्व- मध्यकालीन भारत का सामंती समाज और संस्कृति

[e] Varna; the proliferation of jatis; changing norms of marriage and inheritance 

REFERENCES:

1. R.S. Sharma_Varna Influence on Marriage Forms and Practices_ Perspectives in Social and Economic History of Early India

2. Kumkum Roy_ Marriage as Communication: An Exploration of Norms and Narratives in Early India_ The Power of Gender and Gender of Power

3. R.S. Sharma_Traces of Promiscuity in Ancient Texts_ Perspectives in Social and Economic History of Early India

4. Kumkum Roy_ The Politics of Reproduction in Early India: Controlling and Contesting Conceptions_ The Power of Gender and Gender of Power

5. Rajan Gurukkal_From Clan and Lineage to Hereditary Occupation and Caste_ Social Formations of Early South India

6. Upinder Singh_Varna and Jati in Ancient India: Some Questions_ *

7. R.S.Sharma_Co-references to Women and Property in the Epics and Puranas_ Perspectives in Social and Economic History of Early India

8. रामशरण शर्मा_ सामंती अवस्था में जातिप्रथा_ पूर्व- मध्यकालीन भारत का सामंती समाज और संस्कृति

9. रामशरण शर्मा_प्रारम्भिक मध्यकालीन भारत में समाजिक परिवर्तन_ भारतीय इतिहास : एक पुनर्विचार

10. रामशरण शर्मा _ सम्पत्ति तथा उत्तराधिकार-विषयक कानून के सामाजिक आयाम_ पूर्व- मध्यकालीन भारत का सामंती समाज और संस्कृति

V. Religion, philosophy and society (c. 600 BCE – 750 CE)

REFERENCES:

1. A. L. Basham_ Religion: Cults, Doctrines and Metaphysics_ The Wonder That Was India 

[a] Shramanic traditions with special reference to Buddhism and Jainism 

REFERENCES:

1. R. S. Sharma_Material Background of the Origin of Buddhism_ in_ B P Sahu’s_ Iron and Social Change in Early India

2. Ranabir Chakravarti_Mahajanpadas, Urban Centres and Heterodox Religious Movements (c.600-300 BC)_ Exploring Early India)

3. Kunal Chakrabarti_The Diffusion of Brahmanism and the Transformation of Buddhism_ Religious Process

4. D.N.Jha_ Social Change and Religious Dissent: Jainism and Buddhism_ Early India: A Concise History

5. Kumkum Roy_ Justice in the Jatakas_ The Power Of Gender and The Gender Of Power

6. G.P Singh_ Buddhist and Jain Traditions_ Ancient Indian Historiography, Sources and Interpretation 

[b] Consolidation of the Brahmanical tradition 

REFERENCES:

1. Kunal Chakrabarti_Vratas: The Transmission of Brahmanical Culture_ Religious Process

2. Rajan Gurukkal_Temples as Sites of the New Social Formation_ Social Formations of Early South India

3. G.P. Singh_The Vedic Tradition_Ancient Indian Historiography, Sources and Interpretation

4. Suvira Jaiswal_Change and Continuity in Brahmanical Religion with Particular Reference to Vaisnava Bhakti_ Social Scientist

5. Kumkum Roy_ Legitimation and the Brahmanical Tradition: The Upanayana and the Brahmacarya in the Dharma Sūtras_The Power of Gender and the Gender of Power

6. Suvira Jaiswal_Semitising Hinduism: Changing Paradigms of Brahmanical Integration_ Social Scientist

7. Kunal Chakrabarti_Appropriation as a Historical Process: The Cult of the Goddess_ Religious Process

8. Romila Thapar_Tradition_Cultural Transaction and Early India 

[c] Puranic Hinduism

REFERENCES:

1. Thomas B. Coburn_The study of the Puranas and the Study of Religion_ Religious Studies

2. M.Sukdevan_A Systematic Understanding of the Evolution of Hindu Deities in the Development of the Concept of Avatara_

3. Sukumari Bhattacharji_Little Tradition and Great Tradition in the Atharvaveda_ Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute

4. G.P. Singh_The Epic And Puranic Tradition_ Ancient Indian Historiography, Sources and Interpretation

5. G.P. Singh_The Itihasa-Purana Tradition and its Impact on Historiography_ Ancient Indian Historiography, Sources and Interpretation

6. D.D.Kosambi_The Avatara Syncretism and Possible Sources of the Bhagavad Gita_Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

7. J. Kennedy_The Puranic Histories of the Early Aryas_The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 

8. Kunal Chakrabarti_Texts and Traditions: The Bengal Puranas_Religious Process 

9. C. Mackenzie Brown_Purana as Scripture: From Sound to Image of the Holy Word in the Hindu Tradition_ History of Religions

VI. Cultural developments (c. 600 BCE – 750 CE)

[a] A brief survey of creative literature; scientific and technical treatises 

REFERENCES:

1. Rajan Gurukkal_Writing, Literacy, and Social Formations in the Tamil South_ Social Formations of Early South India

2. G.P. Singh_Historical writings of Kalidasa and Visakhadatta_ Ancient Indian Historiography, Sources and Interpretation

3. G.P Singh_The Writing Of Chronicles and Vamsavalis_Ancient Indian Historiography, Sources and Interpretation

4. D.D.Kosambi_The Avatara Syncretism and Possible Sources of the Bhagavad Gita_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

5. D.D.Kosambi_Parvasamgraha Figures for the Bhismaparvan of the Mahabharata_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

6. D.D.Kosambi_Some Extant Versions of Bhartrhari Satakasin_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

7. D.D.Kosambi_The Historical Krishnain_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

8. D.D. Kosambi_ The Text of Arthashastra_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

9. D.D.Kosambi_The line of Arthasastra Teachers_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

10. D.D. Kosambi_ The Parvasamgraha of the Mahabharata_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

11. D.D.Kosambi_The Autochthonous Element in the Mahabharata_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

12. D.D. Kosambi_ The Sanskrit Equivalents of Two Pali Words_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

13. D.D. Kosambi_ On the Authorship of the Satakatrayi_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

14. D.D. Kosambi_ The Cintamanisaranika of Dasabala_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

15. D.D. Kosambi_ Introducing Vidyakara's Subhasitaratnakosa_in_ Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya_ Combined Methods in Indology and Other Writings

16. A. L. Basham_ Language and Literature_ The Wonder That was India

17. C.P Salgeuro_The Buddhist Medicine King in Literary Context: Reconsidering an Early Medieval Example of Indian Influence on Chinese Medicine and Surgery

18. Rajeshwar Prasad Singh_Artisans in Manu_*

[b] Art and architecture; forms of patronage