History of India III (post-Gupta-1206 CE)

The book “History of India III (Post-Gupta to 1206 CE)” by Dr. Chandana Goswami and Dr. Padmakshi Kakoti is an essential part of the 3rd Semester Undergraduate History Major syllabus under the FYUGP (NEP) framework for Dibrugarh and other Indian Universities. It explores significant political, economic, social, and cultural changes during this era. The content is structured 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 provides an in-depth understanding of India’s historical trajectory from the post-Gupta period to 1206 CE, highlighting key developments in various domains.