ANCIENT INDIAN HISTORY For UPSC PSC and Other Exams Chapter 1: Prehistory and Protohistoric © Stone Age in India Ø Palaeolithic Age Ø Neolithic Age © Metal Age in India Ø Chalcolithic cultures Ø Bronze Age- Indus civilization – Major sites – features of urbanization – decline Chapter 2: Vedic Age © Sources Ø Vedic literature Ø Archaeological evidences Ø PGW sites © Rig Vedic © Eastward Movements of Vedic People- Later Vedic phases © Iron Age in north India © Society – Varna -- Polity – Gana – Vidatha – Sabha – Samiti © Economy – Pastoralism – Gavisthi © Religion Chapter 3: Urbanisation in the Gangetic Basin © Buddhism and Jainism © 16 Mahajanapadas – Monarchy and Ganasamghas © Second urbanisation – features © Rise of Magadha © Mauryan Rule – Arthasastra- Asoka and Dhamma © Satavahanas – Land Grants © Legacies of the Guptas – Art – Architecture – Religion – Science – Literature – Philosophy- Transitions in Varna and Jati © Post Gupta developments – Harsha – Rashtrakutas -- Palas – Arabs in Sind Chapter 4: Practice MCQs Preface It gives me immense pleasure in presenting the latest edition of the Ancient History of India, useful for UPSC and State PSC civil services examination, SSC, NDA, CDS, LIC and other government departments. This book deals with the relevant features and topics of Ancient History of India in a systematic and comprehensive manner by the use of simple and concise language for easy and quick understanding. I hope that the readers will find this book user friendly and helpful in preparation of their examinations. I look forwarded to have the views, comment, suggestions and criticism from readers which would definitely help in further improvement of the book. I would like to heartfelt thanks to all my friends, family members, and the team members of myupsc (Study Portal) for their efforts to publishing the book. Wish you happy reading and best wishes for the examinations. Two words from Author… Don't live in the shadows of people's judgement. Make your own choices in the light of your own wisdom. Don't let anyone's opinion of which you should be friends or live with, dictate who you will be friends or live with. People will talk. They shall say some terrible things. But that doesn't mean you have to listen to everyone. Never ever worry about - log kya kahenge. At the end of the day, you are the only one who will face the consequences of your actions, so don't let other people make your decisions for you. “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” – Tagore This famous quote is from Rabindranath Tagore’s drama ‘The King of Dark Chamber’. One can’t cross a river by merely standing and staring. Similarly, one can’t clear the competitive exams, by dreaming and reading success stories. One has to take a step and leap forward. One has to overcome the procrastination and should start reading the best and necessary material as per syllabus to succeed in the exam. The hardest thing in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.” - Bertrand Russell Knowledge and hard work are not sufficient to clear the exams. To succeed, one has to do smart work. One should know what the most scoring areas in the preliminary are and the main examination, one should know which books have to be read and which books have to be avoided to become an officer with minimum efforts, aspirants have to be tactful. Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” – Buddha This Buddha’s quote is not only applicable to the journey of your life, but also to your exam preparation. Realize the power of the ‘now’ and make the most out of your present. If you failed to study yesterday, don’t get carried away with that disappointment. Start every day a fresh and study with focus every day. “Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work.” – Einstein Many aspirants think that only those having inborn talent can become officers. But, this is not true. It is only with your sheer hard, you can succeed in any competitive exams. With only your persistent and disciplined hard work, you can complete the syllabus and succeed in any exam. In life, one cannot achieve success without facing failures. Don’t get disheartened when you are not able to clear the exam in one or more attempt. One must know that failure is a very normal thing. Analyse your mistakes in your previous attempt, learn from them and prepare an action plan and execute it. Success will be yours. Arise, awake, and, stop not till the goal is reached. - Swami Vivekananda