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Sources of History (Archaeological and Literary) (Archaeological…
Sources of History (Archaeological and Literary)
Archaeological
Monuments and Objects
Old buildings, temples, forts and palaces
Valuable information about life and times of people
Example - Harappa and Mohenjodaro
Ruins tell us about Layout and planning of the city
Utensils, Pottery, Statues, Toys tell us how they lived
Tools and Weapons tell us about their occupations
Ornaments, Jewellery and Paintings tell us about love and appreciation of art
Fossils of animals and bones and skulls of humans about the age using Carbon-14 dating process
Coins and Seals
Numismatcis - study of coins
Great source of information about
Rule of kings
Extent of their kingdoms
Economic prosperity
Trade and Art during that time
Scientific advancement of the age (e.g. allows using by Kushanas)
Example - Gold coins during Gupta period gave it the title "Golden Age"
Seals indicate a civilisation that used to trade goods across the seas
Inscriptions and Edicts
Engravings on metal or stone walls, rocks, caves or tables
Inscriptions give us info about rulers, events and religious and cultural life
Epigraphy - study of old inscriptions or epigraphs
Edicts are royal commands issued by kings
Example - Ashokan edicts tell us about Mauryan people
Literary
Religious
Written records dealing with religion
Examples - the Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagvadgita and Puranas for Hinduism
Other examples - The Jain Angas and Buddhist Tripitakas
Secular
Non-religious records
Includes biographies and autobiographies of historical personalities
Example of biography - "Harshcharita" by Banabhatta
Example of plays - "Shakuntala" by Kalidasa
Example of folk tales - "Panchatantra"
Example of political works - "Arthashastra" by Kautilya
Example of works of foreign travellers - "Indica" by Megastenes, a Greek Ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya