History of India II (c. 300 BCE to 500 CE)

Description

The book “History of India II (c. 300 BCE-500 CE)” by Dr. Chandana Goswami and Dr. Suprity Barua Bhuyan is a comprehensive resource for the 3rd Semester Undergraduate History Major syllabus under the FYUGP (NEP) framework. It covers significant political, economic, social, and cultural transformations during this period. The content is divided into four units:

• Unit 1: Changing Political Formations-I
  • The Mauryan Empire: Extent, sources, inscriptions.
  • Asoka’s Dhamma, administration, and the decline of the Mauryan Empire.
  • Post-Mauryan politics: Sunga, Kanva.
  • Satavahanas and their polity.
• Unit 2: Changing Political Formations-II
  • Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Pahlavas.
  • Kushanas.
  • Gupta Empire: Extent, sources, administration, decline.
  • Contemporaries of the Guptas.
• Unit 3: Economy and Society
  • Expansion of the agrarian economy.
  • Urban centers, craft production.
  • Trade (internal and external), metallic coinage.
  • Social stratification: Varna, Jati, untouchability.
• Unit 4: Cultural Developments (c. 300 BCE-CE 750)
  • Transformations in Buddhism and Jainism, Puranic tradition.
  • Survey of Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, and Tamil literature, including scientific and technical treatises.
  • Art and architecture: Mauryan and post-Mauryan (pillars, sculptures, stupa, chaitya).
  • Art and architecture: Gupta and Vakataka (temple, cave, sculptures), Ajanta paintings.

This book is an essential guide for students to understand the historical evolution of India during this significant era.