APPSC Paper I · Study notes
Ancient India notes for APPSC Paper I
80 notes in 15 chapters. Open a chapter, or go straight to a note.
3.1.1 Prehistoric India 4
3.1.2 Indus Valley Civilisation 6
- 3.1.2.1Harappan civilisation: discovery, extent and chronology
- 3.1.2.2Major Harappan sites and what each is known for
- 3.1.2.3Harappan town planning and drainage
- 3.1.2.4Harappan economy: agriculture, crafts and trade with Mesopotamia
- 3.1.2.5Harappan religion, society, seals and script
- 3.1.2.6Decline of the Harappan civilisation: theories
3.1.3 Vedic age 7
- 3.1.3.1Early Vedic age: the Aryan debate, Rig Vedic geography and tribes
- 3.1.3.2Rig Vedic polity: rajan, sabha, samiti and vidatha
- 3.1.3.3Rig Vedic society, economy and religion
- 3.1.3.4Later Vedic polity and economy: kingdoms, iron and agriculture
- 3.1.3.5Later Vedic society and religion: varna, ashramas and sacrifices
- 3.1.3.6Vedic literature: Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads and Vedangas
- 3.1.3.7Six schools of Indian philosophy
3.1.4 Mahajanapadas and the rise of Magadha 4
3.1.5 Buddhism, Jainism and heterodox sects 7
- 3.1.5.1Heterodox sects of the sixth century BCE: Ajivikas, Charvakas and others
- 3.1.5.2Jainism: Mahavira, the tirthankaras and core doctrines
- 3.1.5.3Jain councils, the Svetambara–Digambara split and spread
- 3.1.5.4Gautama Buddha: life and the four great events
- 3.1.5.5Buddhist teachings: Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path and the Middle Way
- 3.1.5.6Buddhist councils, the Tripitakas and the Hinayana–Mahayana split
- 3.1.5.7Spread, contribution and decline of Buddhism and Jainism
3.1.6 Mauryan empire 7
- 3.1.6.1Sources for Mauryan history: Arthashastra, Indica and inscriptions
- 3.1.6.2Chandragupta Maurya and Bindusara
- 3.1.6.3Ashoka: Kalinga war and the policy of dhamma
- 3.1.6.4Ashokan inscriptions: rock edicts, pillar edicts and sites
- 3.1.6.5Mauryan administration and economy
- 3.1.6.6Mauryan art: pillars, stupas and the Barabar caves
- 3.1.6.7Later Mauryas and the decline of the empire
3.1.7 Post-Mauryan period 7
- 3.1.7.1Sungas, Kanvas and Kharavela of Kalinga
- 3.1.7.2Indo-Greeks: Demetrius, Menander and their coinage
- 3.1.7.3Sakas and Parthians: Rudradaman and the Junagadh inscription
- 3.1.7.4Kushanas: Kanishka, the Saka era and the Fourth Buddhist Council
- 3.1.7.5Satavahanas in the Deccan: an all-India overview
- 3.1.7.6Post-Mauryan economy: Indo-Roman trade, guilds and coinage
- 3.1.7.7Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati schools of sculpture
3.1.8 Sangam age 3
3.1.9 Gupta age 6
- 3.1.9.1Rise of the Guptas and Samudragupta: the Allahabad pillar inscription
- 3.1.9.2Chandragupta II: Saka conquest, the Navaratnas and Fa-Hien
- 3.1.9.3Later Guptas: Kumaragupta, Skandagupta and the Huns
- 3.1.9.4Gupta administration and land grants
- 3.1.9.5Gupta society, economy and religion
- 3.1.9.6Vakatakas: the Gupta alliance and Ajanta
3.1.10 Post-Gupta India and Harsha 3
3.1.11 Southern kingdoms c. 300–750 CE 5
- 3.1.11.1Pallavas of Kanchi: origin and major rulers
- 3.1.11.2Chalukyas of Badami: Pulakesin II and the Aihole inscription
- 3.1.11.3Pallava–Chalukya wars: Mahendravarman I to Vikramaditya II
- 3.1.11.4Early Pandyas, Kalabhras, Kadambas and Western Gangas
- 3.1.11.5Alvars and Nayanars: early Bhakti in the Tamil country
3.1.12 Ancient art and architecture 5
- 3.1.12.1Stupas: Sanchi, Bharhut and the parts of a stupa
- 3.1.12.2Rock-cut caves: Barabar to Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta
- 3.1.12.3Ajanta and Bagh paintings
- 3.1.12.4Temple architecture: Gupta beginnings and the Nagara, Dravida and Vesara styles
- 3.1.12.5Pallava and Chalukya monuments: Mahabalipuram, Kanchi, Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal
3.1.13 Ancient literature 6
- 3.1.13.1Epics and Puranas: Ramayana, Mahabharata and the eighteen Puranas
- 3.1.13.2Dharmashastras and Smritis: Manu to Narada
- 3.1.13.3Buddhist and Jain canonical literature: Pali and Prakrit texts
- 3.1.13.4Grammar and technical treatises: Panini, Arthashastra, Natyashastra and Kamasutra
- 3.1.13.5Kalidasa: works and themes
- 3.1.13.6Classical Sanskrit literature beyond Kalidasa: Bhasa to Bana
3.1.14 Science and learning 4
- 3.1.14.1Ancient mathematics: zero, decimal place value, Aryabhata and Brahmagupta
- 3.1.14.2Ancient astronomy: Aryabhatiya, Varahamihira and the Siddhantas
- 3.1.14.3Medicine, metallurgy and chemistry: Charaka, Sushruta and the Mehrauli pillar
- 3.1.14.4Ancient centres of learning: Takshashila, Nalanda, Vallabhi and Vikramashila
3.1.15 Society, economy and foreign accounts 6
- 3.1.15.1Varna and jati in ancient India: evolution and untouchability
- 3.1.15.2Position of women in ancient India
- 3.1.15.3Land grants, agraharas and the Indian feudalism debate
- 3.1.15.4Ancient Indian eras: Vikrama, Saka, Gupta and Harsha
- 3.1.15.5Indian culture in Central and Southeast Asia
- 3.1.15.6Foreign accounts of ancient India: Greek, Roman and Chinese writers
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