Sources of Indian History

Explore the diverse sources of Indian history, ranging from ancient texts like the Vedas and epics (Mahabharata, Ramayana), inscriptions, coins, and archaeological remains to foreign accounts, literature, and religious texts. These sources, spanning various eras, help trace India’s rich cultural, social, and political past.

The Sources of Indian History

Historical FactsSources of Indian History
Literary SourcesVedas, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Arthashastra.
InscriptionsAshokan Edicts, Allahabad Pillar Inscription.
CoinsGupta Coins, Indo-Greek Coins
Archaeological SitesHarappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Sanchi Stupa
Foreign AccountsMegasthenes’ Indica, Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsang
Oral TraditionsFolk songs, myths, legends etc.
Sources of Indian History

Introduction

One of the gravest defects of Indian culture, which defy rational explanation, is the aversion of Indians to writing history. They applied themselves to all conceivable branches of literature and excelled in many of them, but they never seriously took to the writing of history. It is difficult to accept the view, too often maintained, that the Indians lacked the historical sense altogether. This is discredited by the few historical texts and a number of dated inscriptions that have come down to us. Still the fact remains that the Indians displayed a strange indifference towards properly recording the public events of their country.

Literature

  • (1) Rudiments of history are indeed preserved in the Puranas and the Epics. We find lists of kings and sometimes, though very rarely, their achievements, but it is impossible to arrange them in chronological order without extraneous help. Indirect references to historical events are also scattered in literature and valuable historical information is thus obtained from the different branches of literature, both secular and religious, even from such books as the grammatical works of Panini and Patanjali.
  • (2) Biographical works of great historical persons are of course of great value and we are fortunate in possessing a few of them, such as Sri-Harsha-Charita by Banabhatta, Vikramanka-Charita by Bilhana, Navasahasanka-Charita of Padmagupta, Ramacharita of Sandhyakara Nandi, Bhojaprabandha by Ballala, Gaudavaha by Vakpatiraja, Prithviraja-Charita by Chand Bardai, Prithviraja-Vijaya by an anonymous writer, and a number of Jaina chronicles.
  • (3) There is only one historical work, properly so called, written by Kalhana in the 12th century A. D. This is Rajatarangini, which deals with the history of Kashmir from the earliest times up to the date of the composition of that work. It assumes, however, a regular historical form only from the seventh century A.D., the earlier chapters being a medley of confused traditions and fanciful imaginations.
  • (4) But although the literary works are of great help in forming an estimate of ancient culture and civilization of India, they do not go far enough in the reconstruction of the history of the country. Our knowledge in this respect was therefore very imperfect till the 19th century, when the genius and patient industry of a number of scholars, mostly European, considerably improved it with the help of evidences of quite a different character. Our present knowledge of Indian history is mainly based on these evidences, and it is therefore necessary to form a correct idea about them.

Archaeology

The first in point of importance is the archaeological evidence. It consists of coins, inscriptions, and other monuments of antiquity. The inscriptions, being contemporary records of a reliable character, have helped us most. They have furnished us with the names of kings together with their dates and other necessary particulars, and have recorded many important events of history. The coins have preserved the names of additional kings and given us further particulars about the locality over which they ruled. The monuments are undying witnesses of the artistic skill of ancient Indians and testify to their wealth and grandeur at different epochs of history.

Foreigners’ accounts

For a great deal of our knowledge of ancient Indian history we are indebted to the foreigners. India figures in foreign inscriptions, e.g., in those of Darius, and in foreign literature, such as the history of Herodotus. But the most valuable contributions were made by foreigners who came to this country.

(1) The Greeks

The Greeks who accompanied Alexander in his invasion of India, or who were subsequently sent as ambassadors to the court of India, wrote detailed accounts of the country. and although these works are mostly lost, their substance has been preserved in the accounts of later Greek writers. Special reference may be made to the famous account of Megasthenes, the Geography of India written by Ptolemy and a valuable account of trade and maritime activities in India from the pen of an unknown Greek author who visited India in the first century A.D.

(2) The Chinese

At a later period, Chinese travellers came to India in large numbers to collect religious books and visit the holy places of Buddhism. Some of them, like Fa-Hian (5th c. A. D.), Hiuen Tsang (7th c. A.D.), and I-tsing (7th c. A.D.), have recorded very valuable accounts of contemporary India.

(3) The Muhammadans

Last, but not of the least importance, is the Muhammadan traveler Al-Beruni, who accompanied Sultan Mahmud to India and made a careful study of the literature, religion, and social institutions of India. His memoir on India is a remarkable product of the age and throws a flood of light on the decadent period of Indian History.

Conclusion

By utilising all these evidences it has been possible to construct an outline of Indian history from about the seventh century В. С. to the present day. No doubt, details remain to be filled into a great extent, but the success so far achieved encourages hope for the future. The chronology of all the royal dynastics, with the sole exception of the Kushanas, has been fixed with tolerable certainty: the epochs of Indian eras have been determined, and thus a great deal of spade work has already been accomplished. The following pages are intended to give a brief resume of the results so far attained, and they will also indicate the directions in which our knowledge is deficient in the extreme.

(FAQ) about the Sources of Indian History?

1. What are the primary sources of ancient Indian history?

The primary sources of ancient Indian history include literary texts like the Vedas and epics, inscriptions like Ashokan edicts, archaeological sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, coins from various dynasties, and foreign accounts from travelers like Megasthenes and Fa-Hien.

2. How do inscriptions contribute to our understanding of Indian history?

Inscriptions provide direct evidence of royal decrees, religious proclamations, victories, and administrative details. For example, Ashoka’s edicts reveal his embrace of Buddhism and his policies of non-violence.

3. What role do foreign accounts play in Indian history?

Foreign accounts, like those of Megasthenes (a Greek ambassador) and Chinese travelers Fa-Hien and Hiuen Tsang, offer external perspectives on Indian society, politics, and religion. They often supplement local sources and provide additional details about the Indian subcontinent.

4. How do coins help historians understand the past?

Coins reveal important information about the economy, trade, and political control. They often carry images of rulers, deities, and symbols of authority, helping historians identify timelines and interactions between different regions.

5. Why are oral traditions important in Indian history?

Oral traditions, including folk songs, myths, and legends, preserve cultural narratives and stories that are not found in written sources. They offer insights into local traditions, religious beliefs, and societal values.

6. What can be learned from archaeological excavations?

Archaeological sites, such as those of the Indus Valley Civilization, provide evidence of ancient urban planning, architecture, trade, and daily life. Objects like pottery, tools, and buildings offer clues about technological and cultural developments.

7. Can religious texts be considered historical sources?

Yes, religious texts like the Vedas, Mahabharata, and Ramayana, though primarily spiritual and mythological, provide valuable historical and cultural information. They offer insights into social structures, religious practices, and philosophical ideas of ancient India.

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