Buddhist literature and Jain historiography made valuable contributions to Indian historiography by providing information on important historical events and socio-economic conditions. Works like Harsha Charita by Banabhatta and Vikramagadeva Charita by Bilhana describe kings and throw light on political history. Similarly, Sangam literature from South India speaks of the Sangam period and provides insights into Tamil social, cultural, religious and political life, though it is difficult to verify exact chronologies and facts from these literary works.
Buddhist literature and Jain historiography made valuable contributions to Indian historiography by providing information on important historical events and socio-economic conditions. Works like Harsha Charita by Banabhatta and Vikramagadeva Charita by Bilhana describe kings and throw light on political history. Similarly, Sangam literature from South India speaks of the Sangam period and provides insights into Tamil social, cultural, religious and political life, though it is difficult to verify exact chronologies and facts from these literary works.
Buddhist literature and Jain historiography made valuable contributions to Indian historiography by providing information on important historical events and socio-economic conditions. Works like Harsha Charita by Banabhatta and Vikramagadeva Charita by Bilhana describe kings and throw light on political history. Similarly, Sangam literature from South India speaks of the Sangam period and provides insights into Tamil social, cultural, religious and political life, though it is difficult to verify exact chronologies and facts from these literary works.
Buddhist literature Padma Charita by Vimala – Vasudevahindi by
Sanghadasa – throw lights on Vikramaditya and conquest
Made valuable contribution to Indian historiography of – Sakas and Scythians A religious literature – possess rich material – history BANABHATTA writing Contributed to – development of Indian historiography Include “Tripitakas” – throw light – important event of life of Buddhist Wrote – ‘Harsha Charita’ – first quarter of 7th century A.D The Vinayapitaka – describes – foundation of the Buddhist community Harsha Charita – biography of his patron Pushyabhuti Harsha Proceeding apparently in chronological order to record subsequent evens It is not merely a work of history – a literary work Sittu Pitika and Abhidarmma Pitika – throws light Bana does not provide – complete life of Harsha – he made on Socio-economic, politicval and religious condition attempt to mix historical and fictitious (untrue) stories and of India during the 6th century B.C – pointed out how Harsha go it the fortune Mahavishashya – by Asva Ghosha another BILHANA Buddhist literature – deals with important aspect of Belong to a Kashmiri Brahmin family Indian history Chalukya king of Kalyani Somesvara Patronised Bilhana Gives – information about Chandra Gupta Maurya, Ashoka and Kanishka Produced the play ‘Karnasundari’ – written about marriage of Karnadeva I of Anihlvad with Mayamalladeva Jain historiography Most important work Vikramagadeva Charita Parisistha Parvana by Hem Chandra and Vijakshyaprijnapti – point out – many historical Says historical facts about Vikramaditya VI – as a generous happenings of great importance person Like – literature of north – Sangam literature throws – flood of light on social, economic, cultural, religious and political SANGAM LITERATURE conditions of Tamils In South – treatment and approach to history – difference Scholars have to be careful on two main points between north and south – very little Chronology and Indians are Indians – whether northerners or southerners - difference being, if any, one of degree and not of kind Veracity (truth) South – consists of Andhra, Karnataka, Kerala and T N – If Chronology is – weakest link in north - position is no few southern districts of Maharashtra better in the South as well South – made – substantial contribution to – mainstream of Vast body of Sangam literary – product of the celebrated Indian culture – almost – every realm of human activity – literary Academy art, literature, religion, philosophy or music It speaks of three succession Sangams lasting for more South – offers – dedicated souls like Sankara, Ramanuja, than 9990 years (Pre Sangam, Sangam and Post Madhava, Basaveswara and others – brought about – Sangam) powerful Bhakti movement… Total number of poets exceeding 8598 When we search for stalwarts (loyalist/devotees) in history Nature of this literature abounds in both probable and – area is as blank as – north improbable (possible & doubtful) If true historic spirit was absent in – south – it is again true Certain kings and poets – mentioned in it – which – no that – south too did not lack in historical ideas.. grounds to reject Like as – extreme north – Kashmir was in – forefront of We have fairly good grounds to assume that – Academy historical tradition (Rajatarangini) – also the extreme flourished under – patronage of – Pandyan rulers – who south – Tamil Nadu – areas – rich in Sangam clasics – by – time of Pliny had changed their capital to a place not works of early Tamils – extraordinarily rich variety of far from – present Madurai historical material Roughly – the age of the Sangam from 500 B.C to A.D 500 Literature consists of – eight anthologies of short lyrics – classified into two groups Puram works – deals with external matters like war and patronage of kings Aham works - deals with love This did not suddenly spring up within a short span of time – must – evolved over a length of period Kural – also assigned to the Sangam age T N – boast of two epics, Manimekalai and Silappadikaram – contains good deal of historical ideas Manimekalai and Silappadikaram – good deal of historical ideas Manimekalai suggests – Kanchi – became – centre of Buddhist learning However – Puranas and Epics of the North – Sangam literature too – not helpful – to reconstruct – connect political history