Literary sources of Ancient India

 

 

 Short History                                                     08/08/20220

1.  What are the literary sources of Ancient India ?

 

    Ans- The ancient Indian literature is an indirect but important source of the history of Ancient India.

a)   The Vedas- The Vedas give us an idea of the political, social and religious life of the Indians of that age.

b)   The Puranas- The Puranas were some kind of historical novels. These are 18 in number and gave knowledge about ancient dynasties which ruled over different parts of the country. 

c)   The Mahabharata - The Mahabharata was the longest epic of the world. It provides a lot of material of historical value. It tells that during Mahabharata age monarchy was still the form of government and at that period the king had become very powerful.

d)   The Ramayana - The Ramayana highlights ancient monarchial form of government and also point out that an era of Southward expansion had began. In society cast system was prevailed.

e)   Buddhist Literature – The Buddhist literature Dwipavamsa and Mahavamsa contains traditions which supply historical materials. The Tripitakas throw light on the important events of the life of Buddha.

f)    Jain Literature-  Jain literature also deals with the same period as covered by the Buddhist historians. The most important account of Jain literature is Parisistha Parvana which was written by Hem Chandra. Vijakhyaparijnapti point out many historical happenings of great importance. 

g) Other Historical works - which provide sufficient knowledge of ancient India.

(i)   Gargi Samhita , a book on astronomy , the Grammar of patanjali also contain materials that help the construction of the history of the ancient period of India.

(ii)                 Visakha Datta wrote Mudra Rakshash which gives rich material on life of Chandra Gupta Maurya .

(iii)      Bana wrote Harsha Charita which gives information about ruler Harsha.

(iv)              Bilhan deals with the life of Vikramaditya VI.

(v)       Kalhan wrote Rajtarangini which is regarded a significant account for the history of Kashmir.

(vi)          Chandra Bardai wrote Prithivi Raj Raso which is an important account of ruler Prithivi Raj III.

(vii)           Kautilya’s Arthasatra provides a lot of material about rise and fall of Mauryas .

(viii)            Patanjali’s account gives a rich information about Greek invasion of India.

(ix)               Bakpatiraja’s Gaudabahu descries how Josavarman conquered Gauda deserve special mention.

(x)             Sandhyakar Nandi’s Ramacharita  is a description of of the reign of Rampal, a king of the Pala dynesty of Bengal.

(xi)           Likewise, Padmagupta’s Nabasahasanka Charit , Jai Sinha’s Kumarpal Charit, Hem Chandra’s Dwasrya Kavya, Nyaya Chandra’s Hampir Kavya, Ballal’s Bhuja Prabandha, Chand Bordoi’s Prithwiraj Charit and Prithwiraj Vijaya by an anonymous writer contain important historical materials 

(xii)               Historical materials for the reconstruction of the history of ancient India are also found in the writings of the Tibetan historian Taranath.

                     Each of the above literatures has made a significant                             contribution to the history of ancient India.