M.A. in Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology: EPIGRAPHY & PALAEOGRAPHY

Course I - Historiography, Concepts & Methods

Meaning & Scope of History
Modern Historical Writings

Course II - Sources of Ancient Indian History & Culture : Literature

Introduction
Vedic and Dharmshastra Literature as Source
Other Ancient Indian Literature as Source
Research Methodology

Course III - History & Culture of Indian People
Prelude to Civilization
Bronze Age & Urban cultures
Background to the emergence of early Historic India
Janpadas & Mahajanpadas (Sixth Century-Fourth Century B.C.)

Course IV - Political & Cultural History of India :
(Fourth Century B.C. to 550 A.D.)

Towards Empire : (Fourth century-Second century B.C.)
Political & Cultural History of India (c.200 B.C. to the beginning of Christian era)
The Guptas & Vakatakas

Course V - Historical Writings & Individuals
Traditions & Historical Writings
Ancient Indian Historical Writings
Modern Historian

Course VI - Sources of Ancient Indian History : Material Remains
Archaeological Remains
Epigraphs
Coins
Sculptures & Paintings
Monuments
Research Methodology

Course VII - History of North India
(Circa A.D. 550-12/13 century A.D.)

The main Currents of Political History; The Mukharis; Later Guptas & Harsha
Post Harsha Period : Palas, and Pratiharas
Gahadwalas, Chandellas, Kalchuris, Paramaras, Chahamans, Chaulukyas
Dynasties of Sindh, Punjab and Kashmir

Course VIII - History of the Deccan & South India
(c. A.D. 550-1300)
The Pallavas
The Chalukyas of Badami
The Rashtrakutas
The Cholas

SPECIALIZATION:

Course I - Historiography, Concepts & Methods

Meaning & Scope of History
Modern Historical Writings

Course II - Sources of Ancient Indian History & Culture : Literature

Introduction
Vedic and Dharmshastra Literature as Source
Other Ancient Indian Literature as Source
Research Methodology

Course III - History & Culture of Indian People
Prelude to Civilization
Bronze Age & Urban cultures
Background to the emergence of early Historic India
Janpadas & Mahajanpadas (Sixth Century-Fourth Century B.C.)

Course IV - Political & Cultural History of India :
(Fourth Century B.C. to 550 A.D.)

Towards Empire : (Fourth century-Second century B.C.)
Political & Cultural History of India (c.200 B.C. to the beginning of Christian era)
The Guptas & Vakatakas

Course V - Historical Writings & Individuals
Traditions & Historical Writings
Ancient Indian Historical Writings
Modern Historian

Course VI - Sources of Ancient Indian History : Material Remains
Archaeological Remains
Epigraphs
Coins
Sculptures & Paintings
Monuments
Research Methodology

Course VII - History of North India
(Circa A.D. 550-12/13 century A.D.)

The main Currents of Political History; The Mukharis; Later Guptas & Harsha
Post Harsha Period : Palas, and Pratiharas
Gahadwalas, Chandellas, Kalchuris, Paramaras, Chahamans, Chaulukyas
Dynasties of Sindh, Punjab and Kashmir

Course VIII - History of the Deccan & South India
(c. A.D. 550-1300)
The Pallavas
The Chalukyas of Badami
The Rashtrakutas
The Cholas

SPECIALIZATION: EPIGRAPHY & PALAEOGRAPHY

Course I : History of Scripts & Asokan Epigraphs
I. Origin and Antiquity of Indian Scripts
II. An overall evaluation and classification of epigraphs
III. Some Early Brahmi inscriptions
IV. Inscriptions of Ashoka
V. Palaeography of the early Brahmi Script

Course II : Early Indian I nscriptions and Palaeography
I. Chedi, Satavahana and Ikshvaku inscriptions
II. Parthian and Scythian Inscriptions
III. Kushana Inscriptions
IV. Palaeography

Course III : Palaeography and Epigraphy of Guptas and Vakatakas
I. Development of Scripts
II. Dating and Eras
III. Historical and Cultural Study of Gupta inscriptions
IV. Historical and cultural study of Vakataka inscriptions

Course IV : Palaeography and Epigraphy of Early Medieval Period
I. Development of Scripts
II. Preservation and Types of records
III. Inscriptions of Post Gupta Period
IV. Inscriptions of Early Medieval Period