(ONB 112) Revisiting Ancient Indian History

  • Romila Thapar
    Prof Romila Thapar
    Visiting research Professor
    D.D. Kosambi Research Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies
    Click here for on-line registration
    Course Title: ONB – 112, Revisiting Ancient Indian HistoryCourse Instructor : Prof.Romila Thapar, D.D.Kosambi Visiting Research Professor.Duration: From 10.02.2014 to  22.02.2014.

    (Exact dates, timings of classes and method of evaluation would be decided later when the candidates enrol for the Course, and in consultation with the Course Instructor).

    Objectives: This course aims to look afresh at the recent developments in reconstructing and understanding ancient Indian history. It would focus on the sources and their interpretation, historiographical approaches and debates. Further the formation of state and society would be analysed.

    Prerequisites: Students and Researchers of History and all those interested in the subject could register for the course. They are required to go through the readings suggested for the course.

    Enrolment for this Course may be done on or before 20th January, 2014.

     Course contents, contact hours, teaching and evaluation:

    1. Sources for the reconstruction of ancient Indian history.

    ( Lecture for1hr.and15minutes + discussion for 45minutes = 2hrs.)

    2.      Historiography of ancient India.

    ( Lecture for 1 hr and15 minutes + discussion for 45 minutes = 2 hrs.)

    3.      The Indo-Aryan Debate.

    ( Lecture for1hr.and15minutes + discussion for 45minutes = 2hrs.)

    4.      Social formation in early India.

    ( Lecture for1hr.and15minutes + discussion for 45minutes = 2hrs.)

    5.      State formation in early India.

    ( Lecture for1hr.and15minutes + discussion for 45minutes = 2hrs.)

    6.      History and Literature with reference to Shakuntala.

    ( Lecture for1hr.and15minutes + discussion for 45minutes = 2hrs.)

    7.      Communalism and the writing of ancient Indian history.

    ( Lecture for 1 hr and 15 minutes + discussion for 45 minutes = 2 hrs.)

    This would be a public lecture. Apart from the participants of the course, others interested could participate.

    8.      Evaluation. (Written examination).

    Suggested Readings:

    1. Sources for the reconstruction of ancient Indian history:

    D.C.  Sircar, Indian Epigraphy, Chapters  1-8. (Motilal Banarsidas, Delhi, 1996).(for Inscriptions).

    • P.L.  Gupta, Coins,  Chapters  I-X. (National Book Trust, New Delhi, 1969). (for Numismatics).
    • A.B.  Keith, A History of Sanskrit Literature,  Part I – All chapters ; Part II – Chapters 2, 4, 7, 22, 23. (Motilal Banarsidas, Delhi, 1993). (for Literary texts).
    • Bridget and Raymond Allchin, The Birth of Indian Civilisation: India and Pakistan before 500B.C. (Penguin Books, 1968) (for Archaeology).

    2. Historiography of ancient India:

    • C.H. Philips (Ed.), Historians of India, Pakistan and Ceylon (Oxford University Press, 1961).
    • Romila  Thapar, Interpreting Early India (OUP, Delhi, 1992).
    • Romila Thapar,  The Past Before Us: Historical Traditions of Early  North India,  (Permanent Black, Delhi, 2013).

    3. The Indo-Aryan Debate:

    • Romila Thapar, The Aryan: Recasting Constructs,  Three Essays Collective (Delhi, 2008).

     

    4. Social Formation in Early India:

    • D.D. Kosambi, Introduction to the Study of Indian History (Popular Prakashan, Bombay, 1975).

     

    5. State Formation in Early India – to the emergence of the  Mauryan Empire:

    • Romila Thapar, From Lineage to State (OUP, Delhi, 2003).
    • Romila Thapar, Cultural Pasts (OUP, Delhi, 2003).

     

    6. History and Literature – with reference to Shakuntala:

    • Romila Thapar, Sakuntala, Texts, Readings, Histories   Kali For Women (Delhi, 1999).

     

    7. Communalism and the Writing of Ancient Indian History:

    • Romila Thapar, et.al.,Communalism and the Writing of Indian  History(People’s Publishing House, Delhi, 1969).