Ancient and Medieval History

Gupta Period: Art, Architecture and Literature Gupta Literature Navaratnas – Kalidas, Amarsinh, Dhanvantari, Varahminhira, Vararuchi, Ghatakarna, Kshapranak, Vetalabhatt and Shanku – In the court of Chandra Gupta 2  Kalidasa – Abhijnanasakuntalam, Malavikagnimitram, Raghuvansham and Kumarsambhavam. Harishena – Composed Allahabad Prasasti. … Continue reading →

Gupta Rule: Polity, Economy and Society Administration The Council of Ministers aided the King. Uparika and Vishayapati led administrative units named Bhukti (province) and Vishaya (provincial division), respectively. Vishaya was further divided into Vithi, with the village being the smallest … Continue reading →

Gupta Period – The Golden Age The Gupta Empire was one of the most influential empires in ancient India, and it played a crucial role in shaping the country’s history. The Gupta rulers, who are often referred to as the … Continue reading →

Post Mauryan Period: Deccan Region Satavahana The Satavahana dynasty ruled over a vast portion of the Indian subcontinent from the first century BCE to the second century CE. The Satavahanas are regarded as one of the most ancient historical dynasties … Continue reading →

Post Mauryan Period: North-Western India Indo Greeks The term “Indo-Greeks” refers to several Hellenistic kingdoms that thrived in the Indian subcontinent from the second century BCE to the first century CE. During this period, the Greek and Indian cultures interacted, … Continue reading →

Post Mauryan Period: Central India Sunga Dynasty The Mauryan Empire was succeeded by the Sunga monarchy, an ancient Indian monarchy. It existed from around 185 BCE until 73 BCE. Pushyamitra Shunga founded the dynasty after the fall of the Mauryans.  … Continue reading →

Mauryan Empire The Mauryan Empire is considered to have been founded by Chandragupta Maurya (321-297 BCE). Chandragupta assembled an army and defeated the Nanda empire in Magadha, present-day eastern India, creating the Mauryan Empire. After becoming king, Chandragupta expanded his … Continue reading →

Mahajanapadas The Mahajanapadas were 16 large and powerful kingdoms that emerged in ancient India during the 6th century BCE. The Mahajanapadas were found in northern and eastern India. The modern-day states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh were … Continue reading →

Jainism Vardhamana Mahavira Lord Mahavira, who established Jainism, was born in what is now Bihar, India, approximately in 599 BCE. Mahavira is regarded as the 24th Tirthankara (spiritual teacher).   Pic Credit – Wikimedia Commons Principles in Jainism Ahimsa (non-violence) – … Continue reading →

Buddhism: Literature and Buddhist Councils Buddhist Literature One of the first written and structured literary corpuses in Indian history is found in Buddhist literature. The Tripitakas are the oldest, most comprehensive, most methodical compilation of early Buddhist sacred texts. Pali, … Continue reading →