M.A. in Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology: RELIGIONS OF ANCIENT INDIA

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: RELIGIONS

Course I : Vedic Religion
I. Pre Vedic & Early Vedic Religion
II. Later Vedic Developments
III. Upanisads

Course II : Buddhism
I. Origins of Buddhism and Life and Teachings of Gautama Buddha
II. Early history of Buddhism
III. Mahayana Buddhism
IV. Tantric Buddhism and Decline of Buddhism

Course III : Vaishnavism, Shaivism & Minor Religious Systems

I. Theistic Religions : Major Cults - A : Vaishnavism
II. Bhagvat Geeta
III. Theistic Religions : Major Cults - B : Shaivism
IV. Other Cults

Course IV : Jainism

I. Parsvanatha and Mahavira
II. Jain church after Mahavira
III. History of spread of Jainism
IV. Jain Doctrines