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India's Ancient Past
R.S. Sharma, one of the best-known historians of early India, provides a comprehensive yet accessible text on the ancient period of Indian history. Beginning with topics such as historiography and the importance of Ancient Indian history, he goes on to cover the geographical, econological and linguistic settings, before looking at specific cultures of neolithic, chalcolithic types, the Harappan civilization, the Vedic period, the rise of Jainism and Buddhism, Magadha and the beginning of territorial states, the age of the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Guptas, and Harshavardhana. While taking the reader on this journey through time, he highlights important phenomena such as the beginning of urbanization and monarchy in India, invasions, the Varna system, commerce and trade, developments in philosophy and cultural efflorescence. He ends this insightful volume with a comments on the transition from the Ancient to the Medieval.
This book also addresses a number of issues which have become current in discussion on Ancient Inida today, such as the Identity of the Aryan Culture, and Historical Construction. This is a volume meant for all those who want a masterly, lucid, yet eminently readable introduction to and overview on India's early history by one of the master-scholars of Indian history - be it students, tourists, or the interested lay reader
This book also addresses a number of issues which have become current in discussion on Ancient Inida today, such as the Identity of the Aryan Culture, and Historical Construction. This is a volume meant for all those who want a masterly, lucid, yet eminently readable introduction to and overview on India's early history by one of the master-scholars of Indian history - be it students, tourists, or the interested lay reader
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
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About the author
R.S. Sharma
45 books32 followersRam Sharan Sharma, commonly referred to as R. S. Sharma, was a historian and academic of Ancient and early Medieval India, who advocated the Marxist method. He taught at Patna University and Delhi University and was visiting faculty at University of Toronto.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
May 20, 2012
This was one time prescribed text book for class XI. When Janata Party came to power in 1977, this book was withdrawn as a prescribed text book of CBSE for class XI, though it continued to be published by NCERT. Finally when NDA came to power it was totally withdrawn by NCERT. After UPA took over also the books were not restored. Now OUP publishes it.
The book was controversial because of its take on caste system, beef-eating in India down the ages and the archaeological evidence for "mythical" nature of the legends of Rama and Krishna.
If this book had continued to remain the text book, the infamous Ram Janma Bhumi mobilization might never have come about.
http://books.google.co.in/books?id=47...
The book was controversial because of its take on caste system, beef-eating in India down the ages and the archaeological evidence for "mythical" nature of the legends of Rama and Krishna.
If this book had continued to remain the text book, the infamous Ram Janma Bhumi mobilization might never have come about.
http://books.google.co.in/books?id=47...
March 3, 2016
Ram Sharan Sharma (R. S. Sharma) was a noted historian who was also the emeritus professor of Patna University. India’s Ancient Past was a text book of history for grade 11 students until it was removed by the government around the year 2000. This book covers Indian history from pre-historic times to the seventh century CE. A bird’s eye view of the major events is portrayed in this book. Sharma uses scientific concepts to propound history, but the problem arises when he becomes selectively rational. He feels no compunction to lambast the ideas of the political party which is opposed to his leftist ideals, without an iota of evidence to prove his point. Such a book exhibiting partial paralysis of logic should not be taught in schools.
The British set it upon themselves the tough task of attempting to draw up a history of India on modern lines, but based on flimsy references. Their logic for embarking on this task was rather straightforward – if you want to rule over a people, you are expected to be conversant with the past deeds of their ancestors, so that you can be a better judge in their internecine strife. As soon as the East India Company consolidated its hold over Bengal, steps in this direction followed, like the establishment of Asiatic Society of Bengal. With James Princep deciphering the script of Ashokan inscriptions, Indian historiography arrived in the technical sense. The British were careful that their efforts of making the history of ancient India do not in any way encourage the Indians to handle the destiny of their country in their own hands. To drive the point home, they made startling discoveries like Indians are fit only for being ruled and that the rulers of the country came invading across the northwest frontier. Earlier Indian historians also toed this line, but the real objective description comes from Rajendra Lal Mitra. It is disturbing to note here that even now, most Indian historians, including the author are not free from teachings of an alien political creed that is no longer practiced anywhere in the world. R L Mitra’s crowning achievement – in the words of Sharma – is that he found that people ate beef in ancient India! See the ugly haste to link the idea to controversies raging in the modern world. Sharma’s another finding on Marxian lines is the outrageous suggestion that the caste system in India is not fundamentally different from the class system in Europe. For leftist historians, Marx’s utterance is gospel truth!
A nice discussion on the origins of pastoralism and agriculture is presented as a backdrop of the human migration to India. Organized settlements of the chalcolithic (copper – stone) period existed in many places. An interesting point to note is that the Harappan culture, with bronze as its prime mover, did not impart the technology to its neighbours. The mature Harappan phase is attributed to the period 2500 – 1900 BCE, but we see chalcolithic sites continue to flourish and newly established after this date. Sharma doesn’t venture into an unequivocal opinion on the causes of the decline of that civilization, apart from expressing his opinion of a general nature including flooding of the Indus, dip in rainfall in the area, and the closure of trade routes to Mesopotamia with the establishment of a strong kingdom at Elam in modern Iran lying on the trade route. War with the Indo-Aryans is definitely not cited as a reason, which puts him in great difficulty in explaining the passages in Rig Veda extolling god Indra for destroying towns (purandara) and conquest of dasyus. The Vedic period stretches from 1900 to 1500 BCE, in which Aryans achieved prominence with the help from iron implements, horse-drawn chariots and the invigorating freshness of a new world view that found expression on virgin soil. They were still mainly pastoral, with a tinge of agriculture in cultivating barley. The Later Vedic period (1000 – 500 BCE) saw the establishment of sedentary janapadas (towns) in the Gangetic basin, with agriculture expanding to include cereals such as rice and wheat. The Varna system got rigid in this period, and many Vedic deities were replaced with new or refurbished ones. The octopus-like grip of Brahmins in the society was bitterly resented by Kshatriyas, the community of rulers and warriors.
Since works of a historical nature didn’t originate in India till the advent of the Middle Ages, chronology of Indian kings are rooted solidly on the invasion of Alexander in 326 BCE, which is attested in Greek texts. Reckoning backwards from this event, the births of Buddha and Mahavira are attributed to sixth century BCE. However, Sharma expresses reservations about this date on the face of excavations carried out at the historical sites of mid-Gangetic basin. Occupation of the sites is proved beyond doubt only from the 5th century BCE onwards, causing problems with the accepted chronology. Alexander’s arrival can’t be moved to a later period. So, if the author’s objections hold water, the periods of the early Mauryas are gravely in doubt. Rise of heterodox sects such as Buddhism and Jainism occurred on the cusp of change brought about by foreign invasions. Alexander’s attack was a fleeting moment of defeat, as the Mauryas were able to wrest the provinces back soon. The death of Ashoka in 232 BCE was a pivotal point in the history of the country. The pacified regime of Ashoka prepared the country for foreign hegemony. The militant central Asian hordes found their entry into China curtailed by the erection of the Great Wall around this time. They turned to India instead to unleash their lust for glory and riches. Waves of tribes rolled out of the Khyber pass such as Bactrian Greeks, Shakas, Parthians, Kushans (Yuechi) and Sassanians. These invaders merged harmoniously with India’s customs and social mores. We also witness the opening up of India’s caste structure to accommodate the newcomers. After they were granted entry as Kshatriyas, the gates banged shut, which still remains so.
By the third century CE, trade and commerce declined in India, yet no credible reason is assigned for making this assertion. Precious metals were rare in India and for coinage, the thrust was on foreign trade. The downfall in trade dealt a crippling blow to money economy and urban way of life. This indirectly led to resistance from peasants and artisans. Sharma surmises that the working class might have withheld payment of taxes and grain to the state. Mingled with this sorry state of affairs on the economic front was the admission of many new tribes into the caste system. This upheaval is said to be the historical event that led thinkers in ancient India to remark this period as the beginning of Kali Yuga, where righteousness is eclipsed and mixing of castes take place. But everything was not bleak. The golden age of Hinduism was yet to be staged in the form of Gupta dynasty which lasted 160 years from the 4th to 6th centuries. Literary gems like Kalidasa and Bhasa adorned their courts. Sanskrit took its place as the state language everywhere of consequence in the subcontinent. As the supply of coins dwindled, numerous land grants took its place. Instead of payment in coins, priests and royal officials were assigned land from which they were permitted to extract revenue in the form of agricultural produce. The grandees were also entrusted with administering justice in the area. Feudalism was about to begin its long march to the Middle Ages. However, a violent storm was brewing in the west, in the form of Islam which would destroy a large part of the country’s wealth and shake its culture to its very core. However, the book stops short of this.
As noted earlier, leftist historians are hell bent on expounding Marxian ideas as age-old truth. They always try to score a point in present-day political discourse by cherry-picking historical facts which suit their cause. The author seems to be obsessed with proving that ancient Indians ate meat. We see him celebrating with “people (of the chalcolithic age) certainly ate beef and pork, but they did not eat pork on any considerable scale” (p.65). They may or may not have eaten beef or pork, but why the point needs to be hammered home on the minds of children, for whom this was a text book? See the reflexive recoil from asserting that pork was widely eaten? This is another characteristic of the leftist historian who pampers Muslim sensitivities. In another passage, Sharma says “Swami Vivekananda speaks of both orthodox and beef-eating brahmanas in Vedic times, and he recommends animal food for the Hindus in the modern context” (p.127). Whatever he might have been, Swami Vivekananda was definitely not a historian, isn’t it? Then again, on p.216 he virtually dances with joy with the statement that “The Tamil brahmanas partook of meat and wine”. Sharma is entitled to his opinion, but why such unproved theories should be hoisted on young minds? He is quite sure that suppression of Buddhism by Hindu rulers was due to fanaticism and bigotry, but the killer blow on Buddhism delivered by the hands of Muslim invaders was the result of tempting the invaders with riches collected in monasteries! The author says, “Shaivite Mihirakula killed hundreds of Buddhists, Brahmin ruler Pushyamitra Sunga persecuted Buddhists, Shaivite Shashanka of Gauda felled the Bodhi tree. For their riches the monasteries came to be coveted by the Turkish invaders, becoming special targets of the invaders’ greed” (p.140). See the reluctance to spell out the religion of the ‘Turkish’ invaders, while that of Mihirakula, Pushyamitra Sunga and Shashanka are cried out from the roof top!
The book has a structured design with neat little chapters and a mention of the chronology at the end of each chapter. A few maps and monochrome plates are included to add interest. An excellent index and extensive bibliography add value to the work.
The book is recommended.
The British set it upon themselves the tough task of attempting to draw up a history of India on modern lines, but based on flimsy references. Their logic for embarking on this task was rather straightforward – if you want to rule over a people, you are expected to be conversant with the past deeds of their ancestors, so that you can be a better judge in their internecine strife. As soon as the East India Company consolidated its hold over Bengal, steps in this direction followed, like the establishment of Asiatic Society of Bengal. With James Princep deciphering the script of Ashokan inscriptions, Indian historiography arrived in the technical sense. The British were careful that their efforts of making the history of ancient India do not in any way encourage the Indians to handle the destiny of their country in their own hands. To drive the point home, they made startling discoveries like Indians are fit only for being ruled and that the rulers of the country came invading across the northwest frontier. Earlier Indian historians also toed this line, but the real objective description comes from Rajendra Lal Mitra. It is disturbing to note here that even now, most Indian historians, including the author are not free from teachings of an alien political creed that is no longer practiced anywhere in the world. R L Mitra’s crowning achievement – in the words of Sharma – is that he found that people ate beef in ancient India! See the ugly haste to link the idea to controversies raging in the modern world. Sharma’s another finding on Marxian lines is the outrageous suggestion that the caste system in India is not fundamentally different from the class system in Europe. For leftist historians, Marx’s utterance is gospel truth!
A nice discussion on the origins of pastoralism and agriculture is presented as a backdrop of the human migration to India. Organized settlements of the chalcolithic (copper – stone) period existed in many places. An interesting point to note is that the Harappan culture, with bronze as its prime mover, did not impart the technology to its neighbours. The mature Harappan phase is attributed to the period 2500 – 1900 BCE, but we see chalcolithic sites continue to flourish and newly established after this date. Sharma doesn’t venture into an unequivocal opinion on the causes of the decline of that civilization, apart from expressing his opinion of a general nature including flooding of the Indus, dip in rainfall in the area, and the closure of trade routes to Mesopotamia with the establishment of a strong kingdom at Elam in modern Iran lying on the trade route. War with the Indo-Aryans is definitely not cited as a reason, which puts him in great difficulty in explaining the passages in Rig Veda extolling god Indra for destroying towns (purandara) and conquest of dasyus. The Vedic period stretches from 1900 to 1500 BCE, in which Aryans achieved prominence with the help from iron implements, horse-drawn chariots and the invigorating freshness of a new world view that found expression on virgin soil. They were still mainly pastoral, with a tinge of agriculture in cultivating barley. The Later Vedic period (1000 – 500 BCE) saw the establishment of sedentary janapadas (towns) in the Gangetic basin, with agriculture expanding to include cereals such as rice and wheat. The Varna system got rigid in this period, and many Vedic deities were replaced with new or refurbished ones. The octopus-like grip of Brahmins in the society was bitterly resented by Kshatriyas, the community of rulers and warriors.
Since works of a historical nature didn’t originate in India till the advent of the Middle Ages, chronology of Indian kings are rooted solidly on the invasion of Alexander in 326 BCE, which is attested in Greek texts. Reckoning backwards from this event, the births of Buddha and Mahavira are attributed to sixth century BCE. However, Sharma expresses reservations about this date on the face of excavations carried out at the historical sites of mid-Gangetic basin. Occupation of the sites is proved beyond doubt only from the 5th century BCE onwards, causing problems with the accepted chronology. Alexander’s arrival can’t be moved to a later period. So, if the author’s objections hold water, the periods of the early Mauryas are gravely in doubt. Rise of heterodox sects such as Buddhism and Jainism occurred on the cusp of change brought about by foreign invasions. Alexander’s attack was a fleeting moment of defeat, as the Mauryas were able to wrest the provinces back soon. The death of Ashoka in 232 BCE was a pivotal point in the history of the country. The pacified regime of Ashoka prepared the country for foreign hegemony. The militant central Asian hordes found their entry into China curtailed by the erection of the Great Wall around this time. They turned to India instead to unleash their lust for glory and riches. Waves of tribes rolled out of the Khyber pass such as Bactrian Greeks, Shakas, Parthians, Kushans (Yuechi) and Sassanians. These invaders merged harmoniously with India’s customs and social mores. We also witness the opening up of India’s caste structure to accommodate the newcomers. After they were granted entry as Kshatriyas, the gates banged shut, which still remains so.
By the third century CE, trade and commerce declined in India, yet no credible reason is assigned for making this assertion. Precious metals were rare in India and for coinage, the thrust was on foreign trade. The downfall in trade dealt a crippling blow to money economy and urban way of life. This indirectly led to resistance from peasants and artisans. Sharma surmises that the working class might have withheld payment of taxes and grain to the state. Mingled with this sorry state of affairs on the economic front was the admission of many new tribes into the caste system. This upheaval is said to be the historical event that led thinkers in ancient India to remark this period as the beginning of Kali Yuga, where righteousness is eclipsed and mixing of castes take place. But everything was not bleak. The golden age of Hinduism was yet to be staged in the form of Gupta dynasty which lasted 160 years from the 4th to 6th centuries. Literary gems like Kalidasa and Bhasa adorned their courts. Sanskrit took its place as the state language everywhere of consequence in the subcontinent. As the supply of coins dwindled, numerous land grants took its place. Instead of payment in coins, priests and royal officials were assigned land from which they were permitted to extract revenue in the form of agricultural produce. The grandees were also entrusted with administering justice in the area. Feudalism was about to begin its long march to the Middle Ages. However, a violent storm was brewing in the west, in the form of Islam which would destroy a large part of the country’s wealth and shake its culture to its very core. However, the book stops short of this.
As noted earlier, leftist historians are hell bent on expounding Marxian ideas as age-old truth. They always try to score a point in present-day political discourse by cherry-picking historical facts which suit their cause. The author seems to be obsessed with proving that ancient Indians ate meat. We see him celebrating with “people (of the chalcolithic age) certainly ate beef and pork, but they did not eat pork on any considerable scale” (p.65). They may or may not have eaten beef or pork, but why the point needs to be hammered home on the minds of children, for whom this was a text book? See the reflexive recoil from asserting that pork was widely eaten? This is another characteristic of the leftist historian who pampers Muslim sensitivities. In another passage, Sharma says “Swami Vivekananda speaks of both orthodox and beef-eating brahmanas in Vedic times, and he recommends animal food for the Hindus in the modern context” (p.127). Whatever he might have been, Swami Vivekananda was definitely not a historian, isn’t it? Then again, on p.216 he virtually dances with joy with the statement that “The Tamil brahmanas partook of meat and wine”. Sharma is entitled to his opinion, but why such unproved theories should be hoisted on young minds? He is quite sure that suppression of Buddhism by Hindu rulers was due to fanaticism and bigotry, but the killer blow on Buddhism delivered by the hands of Muslim invaders was the result of tempting the invaders with riches collected in monasteries! The author says, “Shaivite Mihirakula killed hundreds of Buddhists, Brahmin ruler Pushyamitra Sunga persecuted Buddhists, Shaivite Shashanka of Gauda felled the Bodhi tree. For their riches the monasteries came to be coveted by the Turkish invaders, becoming special targets of the invaders’ greed” (p.140). See the reluctance to spell out the religion of the ‘Turkish’ invaders, while that of Mihirakula, Pushyamitra Sunga and Shashanka are cried out from the roof top!
The book has a structured design with neat little chapters and a mention of the chronology at the end of each chapter. A few maps and monochrome plates are included to add interest. An excellent index and extensive bibliography add value to the work.
The book is recommended.
February 8, 2017
R S Sharma pens a succinct, accessible history that demolishes nostalgic Golden Age depictions of ancient India and sketches a realistic picture of a most fascinating, deeply unequal and dynamic era. Highly recommended!
March 6, 2024
It is the least rating possible or else I could've given it zero stars. This book is based on a theory that has been debunked. Of what use a book is if it is factually dead wrong! There are better books available that are based on more rational approach.
It's better if you avoid this one.
It's better if you avoid this one.
October 26, 2017
It's an accessible and interesting book, despite being adopted as a 'textbook' for history.
This is a wonderful primer on the ancient history of India. This should give an overall idea about India from antiquity to around 7th century A.D.
Best part is that Sharma takes an 'economic' approach to History - that is if a king or someone character acted in certain way, Sharma wouldn't attribute it to the idealism of the king. Instead, he will look for a economic or political reason that made him act that way.
That's sort of a thumb rule or sanity check in history. This book passes that basic test. But if you need a comprehensive, unbiased view of History, you may have to look elsewhere.
This is a short, general introduction to where we come from. If you are looking for nuances, this isn't the right place to look for it.
This is a wonderful primer on the ancient history of India. This should give an overall idea about India from antiquity to around 7th century A.D.
Best part is that Sharma takes an 'economic' approach to History - that is if a king or someone character acted in certain way, Sharma wouldn't attribute it to the idealism of the king. Instead, he will look for a economic or political reason that made him act that way.
That's sort of a thumb rule or sanity check in history. This book passes that basic test. But if you need a comprehensive, unbiased view of History, you may have to look elsewhere.
This is a short, general introduction to where we come from. If you are looking for nuances, this isn't the right place to look for it.
February 1, 2016
Anyone who wants to know the History of India should start from this book. Its authentication comes from the fact that it already was part of NCERT syllabus, before being withdrawn by the newly installed Right-wing government. The narration is very gripping and without periods. Its not storylined like the works of John Keay in 'India - A History', but presents the events taking into account other historians details. Many times throughout the books, some facts which are debatable are put as such.
Overall, the book provides the basic knowledge without leaving necessary details. It is also recommended for the civil service aspirants.
Overall, the book provides the basic knowledge without leaving necessary details. It is also recommended for the civil service aspirants.
June 28, 2019
No doubt the book is wonderfully sequenced and written in a language that can be understood pretty easily, but at the end of the day, it's just a continuation and propagation of the British view and understanding of Indian history. It brings with itself the same problems that Indian histories written by British imperialists bring with them. It measures Indian concepts with foreign parameters and standards.
The same old Aryan theory, which is in fact a hypothesis, finds mention in the Book. Like most Indian historians who lean to the Left, Mr. Sharma too mixes up Aryan tradition with Vedic tradition and speaks in line with European historians and indologists who look at Aryans as some different race who originated somewhere in Europe and then later on migrated to the sub-continent and raided the Dravidians.
Little attention is paid to explain deeply concepts of Jatis, Varna, etc. which are all original Hindu concepts. Brahmanism is made to look like some evil force that divided the society and suppressed the lower castes. Buddhism, of course, is revered by the author and considered better than Hinduism like most Marxist historians.
The Book is a compendium of major historical events from ancient India at its best (based on the research done by European and British scholars).
The same old Aryan theory, which is in fact a hypothesis, finds mention in the Book. Like most Indian historians who lean to the Left, Mr. Sharma too mixes up Aryan tradition with Vedic tradition and speaks in line with European historians and indologists who look at Aryans as some different race who originated somewhere in Europe and then later on migrated to the sub-continent and raided the Dravidians.
Little attention is paid to explain deeply concepts of Jatis, Varna, etc. which are all original Hindu concepts. Brahmanism is made to look like some evil force that divided the society and suppressed the lower castes. Buddhism, of course, is revered by the author and considered better than Hinduism like most Marxist historians.
The Book is a compendium of major historical events from ancient India at its best (based on the research done by European and British scholars).
February 17, 2019
What do I think? My review of just one section from this book on how some sweeping statements are made in this book:
https://medium.com/@hamsanandi/whats-...
https://medium.com/@hamsanandi/whats-...
June 12, 2014
Biased Marxist history.
September 14, 2020
Author is a hard core leftist and Marxist. It's pure propaganda.
May 26, 2019
Passable!!
This book was recommended to me in a reading challenge. This was my second book on the history of ancient India of this year. This book is part of my effort to understand Indian history in sequential order.
As a lot of reviewers have commented that this book was recommended for classroom study and it shows. It had a promising start but it was downhill to mediocrity after that. The first few chapters were very good. A very good description of early human life of India. The places pointed out shoddily on the map gives detailed info about the expanse of human life in early Indian history. You can't help but wonder whether Indus Valley was start or culmination of a very large civilization. The book has a rather good commentary about the start, middle and end of IVC as well as how life in general might have been during these times. A lot of info to gain if one is studying with attention.
Unfortunately, it's all rather downhill after that. After the first few chapters, the books devolve into what seems like a collection of facts with a healthy scattering and bias of a particular ideology. A great emphasis is laid on Aryan invasion theory and it appears the author doesn't miss any chance to prove beef and pork consumption. The narrative starts to appear as a lecture and you can't help but wonder whether this is the reason why you in the past akin to students today considered history boring and something that has to be crammed up.
To be fair to the author, the latter chapters do give a lot of factual knowledge and author's narration is relatively good but if you aren't a school students and in spite of efforts of the Indian education system, still a history buff, I am pretty sure you must have read better books.
My verdict? It's passable. In fact, over this, I would recommend the other book India: The Ancient Past: A History of the Indian Subcontinent from c. 7000 BCE to CE 1200 that I read on Ancient India. But I would urge members of Goodreads to recommend good books on ancient India. This one could be given a miss.
This book was recommended to me in a reading challenge. This was my second book on the history of ancient India of this year. This book is part of my effort to understand Indian history in sequential order.
As a lot of reviewers have commented that this book was recommended for classroom study and it shows. It had a promising start but it was downhill to mediocrity after that. The first few chapters were very good. A very good description of early human life of India. The places pointed out shoddily on the map gives detailed info about the expanse of human life in early Indian history. You can't help but wonder whether Indus Valley was start or culmination of a very large civilization. The book has a rather good commentary about the start, middle and end of IVC as well as how life in general might have been during these times. A lot of info to gain if one is studying with attention.
Unfortunately, it's all rather downhill after that. After the first few chapters, the books devolve into what seems like a collection of facts with a healthy scattering and bias of a particular ideology. A great emphasis is laid on Aryan invasion theory and it appears the author doesn't miss any chance to prove beef and pork consumption. The narrative starts to appear as a lecture and you can't help but wonder whether this is the reason why you in the past akin to students today considered history boring and something that has to be crammed up.
To be fair to the author, the latter chapters do give a lot of factual knowledge and author's narration is relatively good but if you aren't a school students and in spite of efforts of the Indian education system, still a history buff, I am pretty sure you must have read better books.
My verdict? It's passable. In fact, over this, I would recommend the other book India: The Ancient Past: A History of the Indian Subcontinent from c. 7000 BCE to CE 1200 that I read on Ancient India. But I would urge members of Goodreads to recommend good books on ancient India. This one could be given a miss.
February 9, 2020
Re-read this book, quite forgot how all encompassing this book is, factual but covers literally everything about ancient India. Interesting summation of various conflicting views as well. ________________________________________
A very easy and concise writing on all early Indian history
A very easy and concise writing on all early Indian history
Read
October 4, 2015Traces the history of South Asia from the palaeolithic to the 7th century C.E. from a Marxist perspective. A detailed account of the continuous development of Indian society
February 15, 2022
It is a dry and a soulless book - and I mean it as a compliment considering what it aspires to achieve! Author highlights almost everything that took place in India from the very start till the start of the medieval age. So much material cannot be covered exhaustively if one starts furnishing personal commentary at each & every juncture. This was once an NCERT book and rightfully so!
Some people are put off by this book as the author supports the Aryan Invasion theory and makes many other claims that will definitely hurt some strong sentiments. But I don't understand the logic behind discarding the whole book which has 95% uncontested knowledge only because you don't agree with 5% of what is written!
After reading this I felt that I didn't know as much about ancient history as compared to medieval history of India. I hadn't even heard the names of some rulers who ruled for more than 40 years over a large part of subcontinent!
I definitely come out richer by this experience and if I want more perspective on any topic, I can always pick up books focusing on a particular age or a dynasty!
Some people are put off by this book as the author supports the Aryan Invasion theory and makes many other claims that will definitely hurt some strong sentiments. But I don't understand the logic behind discarding the whole book which has 95% uncontested knowledge only because you don't agree with 5% of what is written!
After reading this I felt that I didn't know as much about ancient history as compared to medieval history of India. I hadn't even heard the names of some rulers who ruled for more than 40 years over a large part of subcontinent!
I definitely come out richer by this experience and if I want more perspective on any topic, I can always pick up books focusing on a particular age or a dynasty!
Read
July 21, 2022Basic overview of ancient India. Author makes it very clear at the outset that this work uses the Marxist framework, so good on him for being honest and you have some idea what you're going to get. In the initial chapters he's quite balanced regarding the achievements and follies of ancient India but towards the end the zeal to forcefit everything within a set narrative produces some hilarious observations like vashistha was a conservative and vishwamitra was a liberal. Replete with repetitions, maybe because it was originally written for higher secondary students. Still the most concise yet broad survey of ancient India you can get your hands on. A good place to start considering the 70 odd pages of bibliography given at the end to aid in further research and reading. Just be careful not to take every hypothesis at face value and separate facts from speculations/opinions.
Read
August 25, 2014Woah!!! It really is a fascinating book!!! Anyone who wants to know about our country's ancient times just pick it up and start ... written in a simple scholarly manner it is a pleasure to read ... Hope Everyone finds it as interesting as I did !!! :D
May 27, 2024
Distractive Historical Facts.
May 12, 2020
It is a good book for an overall understanding of Ancient Indian History. The book covers all major kingdoms, and it is as per the timeline.
The book starts from 2500BC with Harappa and Mohenjadaro Civilization. Goes to Aryans from 1900BC to 1500BC. Then comes the Vedic period. The book details about Rig Vedic period during the times of Vashista and Vishwamitra. It talks about how the social order of the Varna system wasn't there during 1500BC to 1000BC (Vedic period) but comes post-Vedic period.
It details the emergence of Jainism and Buddhism in response to Bhramanism during post-Vedic times around 500BC. A few other reasons for such emergence was the reduction in cattle because of slaughter and to bring down the discrimination of Bharmans against other Varnas, particularly Shudras. However, Jainism does not stand anti-Bharmanism and embraces non-vegetarianism, wears clothes, accepts gifts, and becomes corrupt.
Then, the book talks about the Magadha kingdom and the Maurya Kingdom. It details about Chandra Gupta Maurya and Ashoka, the two important rules of the Maurya Kindom around 3rd Century BC. It mentions how Ashoka becomes a Buddhist monk after the Kalinga War. The successors of Mauryas happens to be Nandas.
The book details about invaders from Central Asia and how they establish their kingdoms. It also gives a detailed view of Shatavahans in the Deccan and Andhra region around 1st Century BC and 1st Century AD. The book also mentions Greek collaborations on scientific discoveries, philosophy, Astronomy, and trade with the Roman Empire, particularly with the Shatavahana dynasty.
The book also talks in minute detail about the south Indian dynasties- Cholas in Tamil Nadu, Pandyas in the upper Tamil Nadu region, and the Cheras in Kerala region.
Most of the information in Ancient History is prehistory, which means that there are no written documents, and History from such information is taken. It is excerpted from objects, coins, inscriptions, terracottas, etc. The old historical texts found were the Sangam literature of Tamil Nadu.
A few interesting facts in the book (which I found):
- Mahabarata was believed to occur in 950BC
- Monsoons were discovered in 1st Century AD
- Bharatas were only one tribe originated from Indus valley civilization. There are four others including Kurus, Panchalas, etc, although the Bharat was chosen as the name of the country
- Prakrit happens to be an older language than Sanskrit. Pali was another language. The bhrami happens to be another script
The book starts from 2500BC with Harappa and Mohenjadaro Civilization. Goes to Aryans from 1900BC to 1500BC. Then comes the Vedic period. The book details about Rig Vedic period during the times of Vashista and Vishwamitra. It talks about how the social order of the Varna system wasn't there during 1500BC to 1000BC (Vedic period) but comes post-Vedic period.
It details the emergence of Jainism and Buddhism in response to Bhramanism during post-Vedic times around 500BC. A few other reasons for such emergence was the reduction in cattle because of slaughter and to bring down the discrimination of Bharmans against other Varnas, particularly Shudras. However, Jainism does not stand anti-Bharmanism and embraces non-vegetarianism, wears clothes, accepts gifts, and becomes corrupt.
Then, the book talks about the Magadha kingdom and the Maurya Kingdom. It details about Chandra Gupta Maurya and Ashoka, the two important rules of the Maurya Kindom around 3rd Century BC. It mentions how Ashoka becomes a Buddhist monk after the Kalinga War. The successors of Mauryas happens to be Nandas.
The book details about invaders from Central Asia and how they establish their kingdoms. It also gives a detailed view of Shatavahans in the Deccan and Andhra region around 1st Century BC and 1st Century AD. The book also mentions Greek collaborations on scientific discoveries, philosophy, Astronomy, and trade with the Roman Empire, particularly with the Shatavahana dynasty.
The book also talks in minute detail about the south Indian dynasties- Cholas in Tamil Nadu, Pandyas in the upper Tamil Nadu region, and the Cheras in Kerala region.
Most of the information in Ancient History is prehistory, which means that there are no written documents, and History from such information is taken. It is excerpted from objects, coins, inscriptions, terracottas, etc. The old historical texts found were the Sangam literature of Tamil Nadu.
A few interesting facts in the book (which I found):
- Mahabarata was believed to occur in 950BC
- Monsoons were discovered in 1st Century AD
- Bharatas were only one tribe originated from Indus valley civilization. There are four others including Kurus, Panchalas, etc, although the Bharat was chosen as the name of the country
- Prakrit happens to be an older language than Sanskrit. Pali was another language. The bhrami happens to be another script
February 15, 2022
Ummmm. Where do I begin? I won't rate this book more than 2-2.5. Not because it is "bad" per say, but just because I have read a lot of ancient history and this one seems a bit... Lacking?
I loved the part on different ages and India's geographic and other conditions pre-Harappa/post-Harappa. The rest however seemed more like a sum of everything else. Like... I don't know about you but I would like to know more than a page on say, for instance, Parthians in India? Frankly speaking, I'm simply NOT satisfied with how the details are missing on almost all the topics. Another instance, if my memory isn't failing me, there's just 1 paragraph on Chandragupta Maurya. Unbelievable. My teacher taught us more than that.
That being said, should you read it? Depends, really. I wouldn't suggest it if you're looking to know about Ancient History of India. Honestly, there are better books out there.
However, if you want to refresh your memory, or have an exam the next day, go for it. It's concise. (The topics I mean).
Also, if you are just starting with Indian History, yes. This is a good book as a base. But do substitute it with something else. There's just not enough in the book.
There's something else that I'd like to mention. I went through some reviews that talked about Sharma's Leftist/Marxist leanings being apparent in the book. Personally, I did not notice any overt political tones but that might be because I read another book that's overtly anti-Left. So my senses were probably dulled a bit?
That aside, I read this book to compensate for anything that I might have missed, solely for academic purpose. And the book did its work. I don't think Sharma's language caters to a political side necessarily. If you're still concerned, however, you can always drop it.
Again, it isn't a bad book. Just not very detailed.
I loved the part on different ages and India's geographic and other conditions pre-Harappa/post-Harappa. The rest however seemed more like a sum of everything else. Like... I don't know about you but I would like to know more than a page on say, for instance, Parthians in India? Frankly speaking, I'm simply NOT satisfied with how the details are missing on almost all the topics. Another instance, if my memory isn't failing me, there's just 1 paragraph on Chandragupta Maurya. Unbelievable. My teacher taught us more than that.
That being said, should you read it? Depends, really. I wouldn't suggest it if you're looking to know about Ancient History of India. Honestly, there are better books out there.
However, if you want to refresh your memory, or have an exam the next day, go for it. It's concise. (The topics I mean).
Also, if you are just starting with Indian History, yes. This is a good book as a base. But do substitute it with something else. There's just not enough in the book.
There's something else that I'd like to mention. I went through some reviews that talked about Sharma's Leftist/Marxist leanings being apparent in the book. Personally, I did not notice any overt political tones but that might be because I read another book that's overtly anti-Left. So my senses were probably dulled a bit?
That aside, I read this book to compensate for anything that I might have missed, solely for academic purpose. And the book did its work. I don't think Sharma's language caters to a political side necessarily. If you're still concerned, however, you can always drop it.
Again, it isn't a bad book. Just not very detailed.
April 24, 2014
A wonderful primer to understand India's Ancient Past.. Lucid and does not pander into obscurity as usually books of this period do!
September 9, 2016
Very insightful gives good description about Ancient India, Moreover, it clears many wrong information which are spread without any basis.
June 12, 2014
this is a very popular and fantastic
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2024
3 August 2024..
Its very brief nd gives a short summary of all the happenings from paleolithic age , covering stone ages in india, the indus valley civilization , the post harappan , the aryan invasion in india and its further developments till 7th century AD.
From the period of aryan invasion , around rigvedic times , when they were a pastoral economy till they started agriculture , the author showed how their egalitarian society was starting to convert into a class based society in form of the 4 varnas.
Their agriculture wasnt really able to produce enough surplus till 500BC, later when they started producing more Iron tools, they were able to clear up jungles on the Gangetic plains , and which gave rise to the conditions for the development of Magadha empire by Bimbisara.
They used all the surplus extracted from the vaishyas and shudras nd the unpaid labour of the untouchables to build the biggest empires.
It was this magadha empire(nanda dynasty) which stopped the advance of Alexander of Macedonia , towards india.
After the nanda dynasty, The Mauryans came, which had Ashoka(273-232BC) as one of the rulers who ruled india with non violence., after his kalinga war.
Ofcours two big religions, Buddhism and jainism started after 500BC.
Many other smaller empires came and fell in the proces and the culture , science and brahmanism of all these empires diffused into other parts of india...along with its philosophy and the class structure.
The class structure, the varnas, were a means for the subjugation of masses without giving them any opportunity to resist.
The warrior class and the priest benefitted from it while all the others suffered.
Even the science was intertwined with religion which didnt allowed it much growth later.
The philosophy like charavaka which were initially materialistic, changed into idealistic believing the world as mere illusion.
The concept of karma, which every one kind of knows about is just another tool of oppression where ur karma decides ur next life, and ur current life is decided by ur previous life. So ur social condition is unchangeable in short. Its all in the fate!!
The aryanism have influenced all other religions too, like the buddhist were initially not idol worshipper. Later they became brahmnical and started worshipping Buddha idols.
Now the whole world uses the word Karma, but ig they dont know wht it really stand for.
This diffusion of brahmanism is possible in capitalism, more so, because it reproduces a state of heirarchy which can be used by state to curb dissent.
Good book...gave a good idea of the development of the religious, cultural and economical development of india along with information about its great empires till 7th century AD.
Its very brief nd gives a short summary of all the happenings from paleolithic age , covering stone ages in india, the indus valley civilization , the post harappan , the aryan invasion in india and its further developments till 7th century AD.
From the period of aryan invasion , around rigvedic times , when they were a pastoral economy till they started agriculture , the author showed how their egalitarian society was starting to convert into a class based society in form of the 4 varnas.
Their agriculture wasnt really able to produce enough surplus till 500BC, later when they started producing more Iron tools, they were able to clear up jungles on the Gangetic plains , and which gave rise to the conditions for the development of Magadha empire by Bimbisara.
They used all the surplus extracted from the vaishyas and shudras nd the unpaid labour of the untouchables to build the biggest empires.
It was this magadha empire(nanda dynasty) which stopped the advance of Alexander of Macedonia , towards india.
After the nanda dynasty, The Mauryans came, which had Ashoka(273-232BC) as one of the rulers who ruled india with non violence., after his kalinga war.
Ofcours two big religions, Buddhism and jainism started after 500BC.
Many other smaller empires came and fell in the proces and the culture , science and brahmanism of all these empires diffused into other parts of india...along with its philosophy and the class structure.
The class structure, the varnas, were a means for the subjugation of masses without giving them any opportunity to resist.
The warrior class and the priest benefitted from it while all the others suffered.
Even the science was intertwined with religion which didnt allowed it much growth later.
The philosophy like charavaka which were initially materialistic, changed into idealistic believing the world as mere illusion.
The concept of karma, which every one kind of knows about is just another tool of oppression where ur karma decides ur next life, and ur current life is decided by ur previous life. So ur social condition is unchangeable in short. Its all in the fate!!
The aryanism have influenced all other religions too, like the buddhist were initially not idol worshipper. Later they became brahmnical and started worshipping Buddha idols.
Now the whole world uses the word Karma, but ig they dont know wht it really stand for.
This diffusion of brahmanism is possible in capitalism, more so, because it reproduces a state of heirarchy which can be used by state to curb dissent.
Good book...gave a good idea of the development of the religious, cultural and economical development of india along with information about its great empires till 7th century AD.
November 29, 2018
Author has explained Ancient history in a simple manner and a chronological order. He has also compared the social changes that took place in the various period of past like Harappan Period, Vedic Period, Later Vedic Period, Mauryan Period, Post Mauryan Period, Gupta Period and Post Gupta Period. Also, History of South India which had kingdoms like Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Pallavas, Chalukyas etc. What led to the construction of many temples by these kingdoms in South ?
What led to rise and fall of Mauryans and Guptas? How the use of iron tools converted nomadic life to settled agricultural life? How it led to surplus production which accelerated trade activities? How India benefitted from trade with the Roman empire? How later trade declined due to various factors like high revenue tax imposed on peasants and many more. How religions like Buddhism and Jainism flourished and what led to decline of Buddhism in India? How Brahminism influenced political class in their own favour, which led to tax free land grants to Brahmans. This led to reduction of royal power as well as their revenue.
Many more things one can learn about our past from this book.
What led to rise and fall of Mauryans and Guptas? How the use of iron tools converted nomadic life to settled agricultural life? How it led to surplus production which accelerated trade activities? How India benefitted from trade with the Roman empire? How later trade declined due to various factors like high revenue tax imposed on peasants and many more. How religions like Buddhism and Jainism flourished and what led to decline of Buddhism in India? How Brahminism influenced political class in their own favour, which led to tax free land grants to Brahmans. This led to reduction of royal power as well as their revenue.
Many more things one can learn about our past from this book.
July 22, 2019
If you're a student of History, you'll love this book. It discusses India's ancient history from a lot of aspects, social, cultural, economic, ecological etc. Plus there's plethora of references for each chapter. You can keep constructing the history as you progress in your readings.
However if you're the average Joe looking to understand the most important aspects of Indian society, you'll find this book difficult to read. You'll find yourself flooded with a lot of data and without the necessary training in History, you won't be able to construct the grand scheme of things and where things fit in. It is only until the last 3 chapters that the author finally tries to piece everything together and construct a big picture. That's why 3 stars.
Additionally, the author should have tried to put some pictures with each chapter. That makes reading very interesting. I used to check out the Wikipedia pages to get the most out what I had read.
One more thing, the author has a very clear bias against religious and towards scientism which is made clear every time he discusses a relevant issue.
However if you're the average Joe looking to understand the most important aspects of Indian society, you'll find this book difficult to read. You'll find yourself flooded with a lot of data and without the necessary training in History, you won't be able to construct the grand scheme of things and where things fit in. It is only until the last 3 chapters that the author finally tries to piece everything together and construct a big picture. That's why 3 stars.
Additionally, the author should have tried to put some pictures with each chapter. That makes reading very interesting. I used to check out the Wikipedia pages to get the most out what I had read.
One more thing, the author has a very clear bias against religious and towards scientism which is made clear every time he discusses a relevant issue.
August 2, 2019
Indian History has been my first love since graduation days and i believe it is one of the best subject a person can inherit. Indeed, most of the novels, narratives and plots and many more are framed with the border of HISTORY to make it more readable and gripping.
Conventionally, history has been divided into three parts- Ancient, Medieval and Modern. The present review is based on the above mentioned title authored by Late R.S Sharma which beautifully covers whole of the Ancient History of Indian subcontinent briefly-- beginning with the signficance of studying ancient history till the emergence of medieval era. The book addresses the origin and growth of civilisation with the emergence of other aspects- geographical, ecological and linguistic backgrounds accompanied by theories like transition from ancient to medieval and origin of Aryan culture.
The only point i felt critical about is, here, Brahmanism had been synonym-ed with Hinduism, factually the former one is the part of the latter one. Overall it is a substantial framework presented in a simple manner which I enjoyed reading.
Conventionally, history has been divided into three parts- Ancient, Medieval and Modern. The present review is based on the above mentioned title authored by Late R.S Sharma which beautifully covers whole of the Ancient History of Indian subcontinent briefly-- beginning with the signficance of studying ancient history till the emergence of medieval era. The book addresses the origin and growth of civilisation with the emergence of other aspects- geographical, ecological and linguistic backgrounds accompanied by theories like transition from ancient to medieval and origin of Aryan culture.
The only point i felt critical about is, here, Brahmanism had been synonym-ed with Hinduism, factually the former one is the part of the latter one. Overall it is a substantial framework presented in a simple manner which I enjoyed reading.
June 3, 2022
The Modi supporters spamming this with 1 star reviews because history doesn't conform to their Hindu nationalist fantasies are hilarious. However I have given this 2 stars because I gave up less than halfway through since, though solid in it's scholarly credentials, is one of the driest books I've ever read. It reads like a generic textbook, listing the various categories of inquiry (social institutions, technology, cultural practices, etc); the reality of life and thought in ancient India doesn't come alive at all. And though it feels like a textbook, it doesn't even have references, just a lot of "scholars say...". I'm amazed academic history works still get written like this. I have instead started reading Abargam Eraly's Gem in the Lotus, which is instantly captivating as the world of ancient India leaps off the pages with vivid prose and scholarly precision.
February 2, 2019
This should indeed be one of the most simply written yet rich book on India's Ancient Past. A simple, lucid, introductory composition; mosty adhering to political developments, it has done every bit to cover social strata, philosophy, culture, religion, literature, science, technology and various other aspects of the ancient Indian civilization. However the book lacks a narrative base - a simple stating of facts and opinions. By the last few chapters, I felt Sharma turned a little nationalistic - claiming few of the (real) great things that happened within the continent with regards to philosophies, various religions and technology - a nationalism that sounds positive.
July 18, 2020
An exhilarating account of the India's history and proto-history. From the beginning of the civilization on the sub-continent till the early medieval period, this book gives a detailed account of all the events.
It cites the archaeologic discoveries which have been made over the time, the theories and the controversies and pretty much leaves it to the reader weather to believe the series of events or not.
I loved the flow of the contents, which is hard to maintain to cover such a vast span of time.
It cites the archaeologic discoveries which have been made over the time, the theories and the controversies and pretty much leaves it to the reader weather to believe the series of events or not.
I loved the flow of the contents, which is hard to maintain to cover such a vast span of time.
July 10, 2019
India's ancient past, as the title of the book proclaims, is itself an odyssey to the ancient era of the Indian subcontinent. It tells volumes about the culture, politics, relations, administration, trade and many more aspects about our past and our ancestors. This book tells you about the perception of people in the past. It is worth, relating this past, to our present and see the interconnections.
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