Ancient History syllabus, Books and Question Analysis

1. Sources: 

Archaeological sources:

Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments 

Literary sources: 

(a)Indigenous: Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature, literature, literature in regional languages, religious literature. (b)Foreign accounts: Greek, Chinese and Arab writers.

2. Pre-history and Proto-history: Geographical factors; hunting and gathering (paleolithic and mesolithic); Beginning of agriculture (neolithic and chalcolithic).

3. Indus Valley Civilization: Origin, date, extent, characteristics, decline, survival and significance, art and architecture.

4. Megalithic Cultures: Distribution of pastoral and farming cultures outside the Indus, Development of community life, Settlements, Development of agriculture, Crafts, Pottery, and Iron industry.

5. Aryans and Vedic Period: Expansions of Aryans in India. Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period; Political, social and economical life; Significance of the Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system.

6. Period of Mahajanapadas: Formation of States (Mahajanapada) : Republics and monarchies; Rise of urban centres; Trade routes; Economic growth; Introduction of coinage; Spread of Jainism and Buddhism; Rise of Magadha and Nandas. Iranian and Macedonian invasions and their impact.

7. Mauryan Empire: Foundation of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta, Kautilya and Arthashastra; Ashoka; Concept of Dharma; Edicts; Polity, Administration; Economy; Art, architecture and sculpture; External contacts; Religion; Spread of religion; Literature. Disintegration of the empire; Sungas and Kanvas.

8. Post - Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas): Contact with outside world; growth of urban centres, economy, coinage, development of religions, Mahayana, social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature and science.

9. Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India: Kharavela, The Satavahanas, Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration, economy, land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres; Buddhist centres; Sangam literature and culture; Art and architecture.

10. Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas: Polity and administration, Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land grants, Decline of urban centres, Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women, Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi, Literature, scientific literature, art and architecture.

11. Regional States during Gupta Era: The Kadambas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami; Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakti movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and temple architecture; Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects. Arab conquest of Sind;

Alberuni, The Chalukyas of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity and Administration; local Govern-ment; Growth of art and architecture, religious sects, Institution of temple and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society.

12. Themes in Early Indian Cultural History: Languages and texts, major stages in the evolution of art and architecture, major philosophical thinkers and schools, ideas in Science and Mathematics.

13. Early Medieval India, 750-1200: - Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the Peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs - The Cholas: administration, village economy and society - “Indian Feudalism” - Agrarian economy and urban settlements - Trade and commerce - Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order - Condition of women - Indian science and technology

14. Cultural Traditions in India, 750- 1200: - Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita, Madhva and BrahmaMimansa - Religion: Forms and features of religion, Tamil devotional cult, growth of Bhakti, Islam and its arrival in India, Sufism - Literature: Literature in Sanskrit, growth of Tamil literature, literature in the newly developing languages, Kalhan’s Rajtarangini, Alberuni’s India - Art and Architecture: Temple architecture, sculpture, painting-

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Questions CSE -2014
Q1. Identify the following places marked on the map supplied to you and writea short note of about 30 words on each of them in your Question-cum” Booklet. Locational hints for each of the places marked on the map are given below seriatim. 2.5 x 20 =50 marks

1. An ancient capital
2. A Palaeolithic site
3. A cultural centre
4. An Ancient capital.
5. A Palaeolithic site
6. A historical site
7. A Harappan site
8. An ancient capital
9. A political and cultural centre
10. Megalithic site
11. A Mesolithic site
12. A Chalcolithic site
13. A prehistonc site
14. A political and cultural centre
15. An ancient capital
16. A lost port
17. Rock-cave art centre
18. An ancient capital
19. A political and cultural center
20. An ancient town

Q2.Answer the following: (15+15+20)

1. “While using the accounts of foreign writers, historians must distinguish between statements based on hearsay and those grounded in perceptive observations.” Elaborate with examples.15 marks
2. “The Upanishadic principles embody the epitome of the Vedic thought.” Discuss.15 marks
3. Review critically the evolution of different schools of art in the Indian subcontinent between the second century BCE and the third century CE, and evaluate the socio-religious factors responsible for it. 20

Q3.Answer the following: (15+15+20)

1. In what ways can the Megalithic culture be considered a foundational phase of the history of peninsular India?15 marks
2. Do you think the Harappan civilization had a diversity of subsistence base?15 marks
3. Discuss different interpretations of historians about the nature of Asoka’s ‘Dhamma’. Did his principle of `Dhamma-vijaya’ render the Mauryan Empire militaristically weak?20 marks

Q4.Answer the following: (15+15+20)

1. Buddha’s teachings to a large extent could be helpful in understanding and resolving the problems of today’s society. Analyse critically.15 marks
2. Discuss the provincial and district administrative units of the Gupta Empire with the designations and functions of the officers.15 marks
3. What were the privileges granted to the donees in land-grant charters of early India? How far were these charters responsible for integration or disintegration socio-political milieu?20 marks

Question 2013-

History Paper 1 Section A

CLICK TO ENLARGE MAP

Question 1: Identify the following places marked on the map into question cum answer booklet supplied to you and right about short notes of 30 words on each of them in the space provided in the booklet. 2.5m x 20= 50 marks

1. A paleolithic and Mesolithic site
2. A Mesolithic site
3. an important halting place
4. A pre-Harappan site
5. An important Harappan site
6. Site of important fossils
7. A sea port
8. A paleolithic site
9. A Neolithic, Megalithic and Chalcolithic site
10. A harappan site
11. A palaeolithic site
12. A Neolithic site
13. A Chalcolithic site
14. A Chalcolithic site
15. A site of Buddhist Monastery
16. Painted Greyware site
17. Site related to a famous Indian philosopher
18. historical rock cut caves
19. famous fort
20. capital of famous kingdom

Q2: 15 + 20 + 15

1. evaluate various views regarding human settlements is gleaned from the Vedic sources
2. discuss the water management and its conservation planning in the harappan (Indus-Saraswati) cities
3. in the absence of a written script, Chalcolithic pottery gives us a fascinating insight into the culture and lifestyle of the people of those times. Comment critically

Q3: 15 + 20 + 15

1. on the basis of contemporary sources, assess the nature of banking and usuary in ancient India
2. Social norms for women in the Dharmasastra and Arthasashtra tradition where framed in accordance with the Varnashrama tradition. Evaluate critically
3. The verna concept may always have been largely a theoretical model and never an actual description of society. Comment in context of ancient India

Q4: 15 + 15 + 20

1. evaluate the contribution of Puranas in disseminating secular knowledge among the masses in ancient India
2. evaluate the ownership of land in ancient India on the basis of literary and epigraphic sources
3. explain as to how the early Buddhist stupa art, while using motifs and narratives and common cultural symbols, succeeded in transforming these themes for expounding Buddhist ideas

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