In this course, a strong background in Indology will be built upon by providing deeper knowledge of important aspects of India in its historical, societal, cultural and literary contexts. Detailed knowledge will be imparted regarding Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina traditions and the intellectual history of India. Students will also gain a comprehensive overview of certain areas of the performing and visual arts as well as of Indian literature.
Level I
Unit I
PREHISTORIC AND PROTOHISTORIC CULTURES IN INDIA
- Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic Age
- Harappan culture – History, stages, discovery of these sites.
- Copper Stone Age, Iron Age and other civilizations
Unit II
HISTORY OF ANCIENT INDIA
- Geographical background during ancient times, Jambudweepa and greater India
- Mahajanapada, the rise of the Magadha Empire, foreign invasions, Akhmonia , Greek, Saka
- Dynasties- Shunga, Shatavahana, Western Kshatrap, Kushaan, Gupta and Wakataka dynasties.
- Post Gupta Period (Northern States and Southern states)
Unit III
SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN ANCIENT INDIA
- Character system to caste system, Sixteen rites, types of marriage,
- Rise of family organization, patriarchal and matriarchal family system
- Ashram system and education system
- The place of women in ancient Indian society
Unit IV
INDIAN RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
- Rise and development of the concept of religion
- Rigvedic and Atharvavedic deities, Vedic theology
- Buddhism, Jainism and other religious systems
- Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta traditions
Level II
Unit V
HISTORY OF INDIAN RELIGIOUS LITERATURE
- Vedic literature - Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka, Upanishad
- Vedanga- Kalpa, Chandas, Nirukta, Jyotisha, Vyakarana, Shiksha
- Aarsha Mahakavya- Ramayana and Mahabharata
- Puranas
Unit VI
ART AND ARCHITECTURE
- Natyashastra and Indian aesthetics
- Ancient literature, architectural characters on the subjects of Vastu Shastra, Shilpa Shastra and Sculpture
- Shunga - Sculptures on the stupas of Bharuth, Sanchi, Amravati etc. during the Satavahana period, earthen idols, Gandhara art, rise of Buddha idols, Gupta period temples
- Nagara, Dravida and Vesara temples and their examples
Unit VII
INDIAN ARCHEOLOGY & EPIGRAPHY
- A History of Indian Archaeology
- Importance of archeology
- Origin and scope of Brahmi script, Antiquity and scope of Kharoshti script
- Ancient writing literature
Unit VIII
ANCIENT INDIAN WISDOM
- Ancient Indian Science and Technology
- Ayurveda and other systems of medicine
- Long association of India with the South East Asian countries
- Appreciate the art and architectural remains in the South East Asian countries
