Indian History Part 2

 

Chapter 01

Indian History

(Part 2)

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Jain Texts

• Jain texts throw light on the religious and social conditions of their time.

• These texts were compiled in the 6th century AD in the Jain Mahasabha held at Vallabhi (Gujarat).

• Among Jain texts, 12 Angas are important.

Important Jain Texts

• Acharanga Sutra – Contains disciplinary rules for Jain monks.

• Bhagavati Sutra – Contains information about the life of Mahavira.

• Kalpa Sutra – Describes lives of Jain Tirthankaras.

• Anuttaropapatika-dasa – Stories of famous Jain monks.

• Uvasagadasao (Upasakadasa) – Discusses the fruits of Karma (Karma Phala).

• Bhadrabahu Charita – Describes the life of Acharya Bhadrabahu and includes glimpses of Chandragupta Maurya’s later life.

From a historical point of view, Parishishta Parva written by Jain Acharya Hemachandra is considered very important.

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Historical Texts

Although there is no purely historical text in ancient India in the modern sense, some texts provide valuable historical information.

Important Historical Texts

• Kautilya’s Arthashastra (4th century BC)
  Provides detailed information about administration, social and religious life during the Mauryan period.

• Kamandaka’s Nitisara (4th–6th century AD)
  Gives information about monarchy during the Gupta period.

• Shukra’s Shukranitisara
  Discusses monarchy and administration.

• Somadeva Suri’s Nitisara / Nitivakyamrita
  Provides information about the state machinery of the time.

• Brihaspati’s Brihaspatya Arthashastra
  Follows the Arthashastra tradition.

• Rajatarangini by Kalhana (12th century AD)
  A chronological history of the kings of Kashmir.
  It is considered the best example of historical writing in ancient India.

According to historian R. C. Majumdar:
“There is only one historical work properly so called, written by Kalhana in the 12th century AD — Rajatarangini.”

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Chronicles of Gujarat

Important works:

• Prabandha Kosha – Rajasekhara

• Hammira Mad Mardana – Jayasimha

• Tejpal Prashasti – Vastupal

• Prabandha Chintamani – Merutunga

These works throw light on the history of Gujarat.

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Semi-Historical Texts

• Panini’s Ashtadhyayi – Though primarily a grammar text, it provides information about political conditions of the pre-Mauryan and Mauryan periods.

• Gargi Samhita – Mentions Greek and Shaka invasions.

• Patanjali’s Mahabhashya – Commentary on Ashtadhyayi; provides socio-political information.

• Kalidasa’s Malavikagnimitram – Provides details about the Shunga dynasty.

• Vishakhadatta’s Mudrarakshasa – Describes Chandragupta Maurya, Chanakya, and the fall of the Nandas.

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Biographical Texts

Biographical works glorify kings but contain valuable historical information.

• Harshacharita by Banabhatta (620 AD)
  Biography of Harshavardhana. First available biography text in Sanskrit.

• Gaudavaho by Vakpati
  Describes victories of Yashovarman of Kannauj.

• Navsahasanka Charita by Padmagupta Parimala
  Life of the Paramara ruler Vakpati Munja.

• Bhoja Prabandha by Ballal
  Life of Bhoja, the Paramara ruler of Malwa.

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B. Foreign Sources

Indigenous sources are supplemented by foreign accounts.

Foreign sources are divided into:

1. Greek/Roman

2. Chinese

3. Tibetan

4. Arabian

These accounts are especially useful in reconstructing ancient Indian chronology.

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Greek Writers

Alexander’s invasion finds no mention in Indian sources; hence Greek accounts are important.

Pre-Alexandrian Writers

• Scylax (6th century BC)
  Sent by Darius I to explore the Indus region.

• Hecataeus of Miletus (549–496 BC)
  Greek historian; limited knowledge of India.

• Herodotus (484–425 BC)
  Known as the Father of History. Described Indo-Persian relations.

• Ctesias (416–398 BC)
  Wrote “Persica”; information partly exaggerated.

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Alexandrian Writers

• Nearchus – Admiral of Alexander’s fleet; explored Persian Gulf to Indus.

• Onesicritus – Pilot in Alexander’s navy.

• Aristobulus – Wrote about Alexander’s campaigns.

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Post-Alexandrian Writers

• Megasthenes (350–290 BC)
  Greek ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya’s court.
  Wrote Indica.

  He described:

  • Geographical features of India

  • Fertility of land

  • Pataliputra

  • Absence of slavery

  • Seven castes

  • Indian philosophers

• Deimachus – Ambassador to Bindusara.

• Dionysius – Ambassador to Ashoka.

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Later Greek & Roman Writers

• Strabo (64 BC–19 AD) – Wrote Geographica.

• Pliny (23–79 AD) – Wrote Natural History.

• Ptolemy (2nd century AD) – Wrote Geographia.

• Arrian (130–172 AD) – Wrote Anabasis of Alexander.

• Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (1st century AD) – Important for trade history.

• Cosmas Indicopleustes (6th century AD) – Wrote Christian Topography.