Section-A

Ancient History syllabus

• Prehistoric cultures in India

• Indus Civilization. Origins- the different phases- society, economy, and culture- Contacts with other cultures- factors lead to the decline.

• Geographical distribution and characteristics of pastoral and farming society.

• Vedic society-Vedic texts- change from Rigvedic to later Vedic phases. Vedic society Religion- Upanishad thought-Political and social organization, the evolution of the Varna system and monarchy.

• Formation of the State and urbanization, from the Mahajanapadas to the Nandas.

• Buddhism and Jainism- Factors for the spread of Buddhism.

• The Mauryan Empire- Chandragupta and Megasthenes.

• Asoka and his inscriptions, his dhamma, culture, administration, and art

• Society of Post-Mauryan India, BC 200- AD 300- Evolution of Jatis.

• The Satavahanas and formation of the state in the Peninsula.

• Sangam texts and society.

• Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, Kushans, Kanishka-Contacts with the outer world.

• Different Religion- Bhagavatism, Saivism, Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana, Jainism and Culture and art.

• The Guptas and their descendants.

• Literature science, Arts, Economy, and society -Modication in the political organization of empire.