Historiography

Day 2 – Class 3
• Study of methods employed by the Historians in developing history as an academic
discipline.
• Was there existence of history writing in Ancient India?
Alberuni – Tahqiq-i-Hind (973-1050)
R.G.Bhandarkar (1837-1925) India had no proper history

• R.C.Majumdar
R.C.Dutt Ancient Indians had true sense of history and
Radha Kumud Mookerji produced historical & quasi historical writing
Romila Thapar
 SOURCES OF ANCIENT INDIA

• Literary sources Categories based on

a) Language
b)Genre
c) Content
d)Age
e) Tradition
 Ramayana Valmiki

Epics

Mahabharata Vyasa
 “Old”

Puranas

18
Vyasa
Mahapuranas
Dharma Shastra Dharmashastra
 Science of Polity

Non existence before 6th Century 8th century AD = Age of

specialization

Grammar, etymology, astronomy School of Politics =

etc – began to form separate contemporary to the school of
schools Dharmasastra
 Sama Yajur

Rig Atharva

Vedas
 RIG VEDA SAMA VEDA YAJURVEDA ATHARVAVEDA
DEALS WITH Hymns prayers & Rituals that Contains folk
chants from accompany the tradition of the
Rig Veda & recitation of period &
are modified hymns represents popular
religion

CORE Afghanistan & Upper Ganges Upper Ganges Upper Ganges &
REGIONS Sapta Sindh & middle & middle Middle Ganges
Ganges Basin Ganges Basin Basin

RECENSIONS Shakala Shakha Kauthuma White Shaunaka

Ranayaniya (Shukla)- Paippalada
Jaiminiya Madhyaandina
& Kanva
Black
(Krishna) –
Kathaka,
Kapishthala
Maitrayani
Taittiriya
- END -