Ancient Indian History - Complete
Notes for SSC CGL (In English)
1. Prehistoric Period
The Prehistoric period is divided into the following phases:
• Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age): Rough stone tools were used. People lived in caves (e.g.,
Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh), hunted animals and gathered food. No evidence of
agriculture.
• Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age): Microliths (tiny stone tools) used. First evidence of
domestication of animals and beginning of semi-permanent settlements.
• Neolithic Age (New Stone Age): People started farming (agriculture), used polished stone
tools, and lived in permanent houses. Sites: Mehrgarh (Pakistan), Burzahom (Kashmir).
• Chalcolithic Age: Use of copper along with stone tools. Culture was rural, with painted
pottery and farming. Important sites: Ahar, Jorwe, Malwa.
2. Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization)
Timeline: 2500–1750 BCE. It was an urban civilization with planned cities, drainage, and
granaries.
Important Sites:
• Harappa (Punjab, Pakistan): Granaries, cemetery H.
• Mohenjodaro (Sindh): Great Bath, dancing girl (bronze statue).
• Dholavira (Gujarat): Unique water conservation system.
• Lothal (Gujarat): Dockyard and warehouse (Indo-Mesopotamian trade).
Features:
• Town planning (grid pattern), brick houses, public baths.
• Religion: Nature worship, no temples found.
• Economy: Agriculture, trade (weights, seals), crafts.
• Script: Pictographic, undeciphered.
Decline reasons: Floods, drought, shifting rivers, possible Aryan invasion.
3. Vedic Age (1500–600 BCE)
Divided into:
• Early Vedic Period (1500–1000 BCE): Aryans settled in Punjab. Rigveda was composed.
Society was pastoral, tribal, and patriarchal. No rigid varna system.
• Later Vedic Period (1000–600 BCE): Expansion to Ganga-Yamuna region. Use of iron
(Krishna Ayas). Varna system became rigid. Kingdoms emerged.
Vedic Literature:
• 4 Vedas: Rigveda (oldest), Samveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda.
• Brahmanas: Ritual texts.
• Aranyakas: Forest texts.
• Upanishads: Philosophical texts.
Economy: Agriculture-based, cattle was wealth. Religion was ritualistic and polytheistic.
4. Mahajanapadas and Religious Movements (600–300 BCE)
16 Mahajanapadas emerged; most important was Magadha.
Magadha's Rise: Strategic location, iron-rich soil, strong rulers like Bimbisara, Ajatshatru.
Jainism:
• Founder: Mahavira (24th Tirthankara).
• Teachings: Non-violence (Ahimsa), truth, no belief in god.
• Sects: Shwetambar (white-clad), Digambar (nude).
Buddhism:
• Founder: Gautam Buddha (Siddhartha).
• Teachings: Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, Nirvana.
• Councils: 1st (Rajgriha), 2nd (Vaishali), 3rd (Pataliputra by Ashoka), 4th (Kundalvan, by
Kanishka).
Both religions challenged Brahmanism and supported equality.
5. Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE)
Founder: Chandragupta Maurya (with Chanakya). Capital: Pataliputra.
Rulers:
• Chandragupta: Overthrew Nanda dynasty; established first pan-India empire.
• Bindusara: Son of Chandragupta.
• Ashoka: Greatest ruler; adopted Buddhism after Kalinga war. Promoted Dhamma (ethical
code). Spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia.
Administration:
• Highly centralized. Spy system, bureaucracy.
• Arthashastra by Chanakya – economic & political treatise.
• Ashokan Edicts: Rock and pillar inscriptions, mostly in Prakrit.
6. Post-Mauryan Period
Includes Shungas, Kanvas, Indo-Greeks, Kushanas, Satavahanas.
• Indo-Greeks: Introduced Hellenistic art.
• Kushanas: Kanishka, patron of Mahayana Buddhism, 4th Council at Kundalvan, started
Saka Era.
• Art: Gandhara School (Greek style) and Mathura School (indigenous).
• Satavahanas: Deccan region; promoted trade and Buddhism.
7. Gupta Empire (320–550 CE)
Founder: Chandragupta I.
Prominent Rulers:
• Samudragupta: Known as 'Napoleon of India', expanded empire.
• Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya): Patron of art & literature.
Golden Age:
• Science: Aryabhatta – zero, earth rotation.
• Literature: Kalidasa – Abhijnanasakuntalam.
• Art: Ajanta caves, iron pillar (Mehrauli).
• Economy: Prosperous trade and land grants.
Administration was decentralized with feudal elements.
8. South Indian Kingdoms & Sangam Age
• Sangam Period (300 BCE–300 CE): Tamil literature composed in 3 Sangams. Focus on
Chera, Chola, Pandya kingdoms.
• Cholas: Maritime power, promoted trade with SE Asia.
• Cheras: Trade with Rome.
• Pandyas: Literature and temple patronage.
• Pallavas: Rock-cut architecture at Mahabalipuram.
• Chalukyas & Rashtrakutas: Temple builders (Badami, Ellora).
9. Art, Architecture & Culture
• Stupas: Buddhist structures (Sanchi, Bharhut).
• Rock-cut caves: Ajanta (Buddhist), Ellora (Hindu, Jain, Buddhist).
• Sculptures: Yaksha-Yakshini (Mauryan), Gandhara & Mathura schools.
• Literature: Vedas, Epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata), Puranas.
• Education: Nalanda and Takshashila universities.
• Religion: Evolution from Vedic to Puranic Hinduism.
