Ancient History Syllabus 2025: Semester Subjects, Electives, Books, Specializations

Ancient History

Early Ancient History

Greek and Roman Civilisations

Late Ancient History

Middle to Late Bronze Age

Introduction to Archaeology

Chalukyas of Badami

Harappan Civilisation

Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra

Prehistoric times

• Periodisation of Indian Prehistory

• Sources of Prehistory

• Palaeolithic period Or Old Stone Age

• Mesolithic Or Middle Stone Age

• Neolithic Age or New Stone Age

• Chalcolithic Age

• Major Chalcolithic Cultures

• Early Iron Age

• Geographical Distribution and Characteristics

Jainism

• Birth and Life of Mahavira (540–468 B.C.)

• Teachings of Mahavira

• Organisation and Sects of Jainism

• Literature of Jainism

• Councils, Spread and Royal Patrons

Post-Mauryan India

• Society: Evolution of Jatis

• Satavahanas

• Sungas and Kanvas

• Sakas

• Kushans

• Kanishka

Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC)

• IVC geography and archaeological findings

1. Major cities

2. Town planning

• IVC society and culture

1. Script and language

2. Crafts

3. Religions

4. Seals and images

• IVC economy

1. Harappan trade

2. Agriculture

3. Domestication of animals

4. Weights and measures

• The Decline of Harappan Culture

Buddhism

• Birth and Life of Buddha (563-483 BC)

• Teachings of Buddha

• Organisation and Sects of Buddhism

• Literature of Buddhism

• Councils, Spread of and Royal Patronage

• Causes for the Decline

Gupta Period

• Sources of Gupta Rule

• Rulers and Political history of Guptas Chronology

• Foreign Travellers Visit – Fa Hien’s Visit

• Gupta Administration

• Other Important Dynasties

• Society Religion and Culture

• Urban centres in the Gupta period

• Economy

• Science and Technology

• Literature

• Later Guptas

• Other Important Dynasties

Mahajanapadas Period

• Republics and Monarchies

• 16 Mahajanapadas

• Magadha

• Key Dynasties

• Haryanka dynasty

• Shishunaga Dynasty

• Nanda Dynasty

• Persian Invasions

• Alexander’s Invasion

• Society and Rise of urban centres

• Economy

• System of Administration

Harshavardhana Period

• Harsha Military Conquests

• Harsha and Buddhism

• Administration

• Society and Culture

• Economy

Rig Vedic Period

• Sources for Reconstructing Vedic Society and Culture

• Geography of the Rig Vedic Period - Area of Settlement

• Political Organisation and Evolution of Monarchy

• Social Organisation

• Economy

• Religious Practices and Culture

Mauryan Empire

• Sources: Inscriptions and Sites

• Literary Sources (The Arthasastra)

• Rulers and Political History of the Mauryas

1. Chandragupta and Bindusara

2. Megasthenes

3. Asoka and His Successors

• Asoka’s Inscriptions and Sites

• Asokan Reign

• Asoka and Buddhism

• Asoka Policy of Dhamma

• Mauryan Administration

• Foreign Relations

• Decline of the Mauryas

Sangam Period (South Indian Dynasties)

• Sangam Literature

• South Indian Dynasties

1. Cholas

2. Cheras

3. Pandyas

• Sangam Polity, Society and Culture

• Economy of Sangam Period

• Foreign Dynasties

• Commercial Contacts with the Outside World

• Schools of Art

Later Vedic Period

• Geography of the later Vedic phases - Area of settlement

• Political System

• Social Organisation and Varna System

• Economy

• Religious Practices and Culture

Core Introductory Courses

Ancient Middle Eastern History and Civilisation, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome

The history of the ancient Middle East, from prehistoric beginnings through the establishment of civilisations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and other parts of the region.

History of the Graeco-Roman World

Any four Ancient History (ANCH) or Classical Studies (CLST) courses with a concentration on the Greco-Roman world's history

Greco-Roman religion was polytheistic, with numerous gods worshipped. A pantheon, or group, was established by the twelve major gods. All gods were able to get involved in human affairs and often acted like humans. Followers. Religion was mandatory for all Greek and Roman people.

1.

A History Of Ancient And Early Mediaeval India

Upinder Singh

2.

History Of Ancient India

Dr Krishna Chandra Srivastava

3.

India’s Ancient Past

R.S. Sharma

4.

Early India

Romila Thapar

5.

History of Mediaeval India – Part 1 & Part 2

Satish Chandra

6.

History of Modern India

Bipin Chandra

7.

India’s struggle for Freedom

Bipin Chandra