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in The Glorious Past of India by (66.6k points)

Describe the role of literary sources to get the knowledge of ancient Indian history.

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The historians use various means to know the past human activities. These means are called sources, evidences and proofs. Historians use the following literary sources to get the knowledge of ancient Indian history .

(a) Religious literature Brahmin literature Buddhist literaure and Jain literature.

(b) Literature besides religion Historical books Buddhist literature Pure literary books Jain literature Regional literature Foreigners narratives 

(c) Dynastie’s narratives

(a) Religious literature – The literature related to religion is called the religious literature such as Brahmin literature, Buddhist literaure and Jain literature. 

Brahmin literature – This describes different types of yajnas and the rules pertaining to them. 

Buddhist literature – Buddhist literature has played an imporant role in the formation of ancient history of India.

The oldest scripture are the Tripitaks – Sutta pitak, Abhidhamma pitak and Vinay pitak. They contain the principles and conduct of Buddhism. The other important contribution of the Buddhisth literature are the Jatak Granthas.

Jain literature – The most important Jain scripture is Aagam. It includes 11 Angas, 12 Upangas, 10 Prakrana, 6 Cheda sutras, 1 Nandi sutra, 1 Anuyogadvara, and 4 Mula sutras. It was composed in the sixth century BC by various Jain religious groups and individuals.

(b) Non religious literature – This covers the literature written on subjects other than the religion. It includes subjects as history, semi – history, purely literary books, plays, stories, and poetry.

Historical books – Some of the important history books which provide us knowledge about ancient India are—Kalhan’s Rajataragini, Chanakya’s (Kautilya) Arthshastra, Banabhatta’s Harshcharita, Vakpati’s Gaudvaho etc.

Pure literary books – Panini’s Ashtadhyayai, Patanjali’s Mahabhashya, Kalidas Malvikagnimitra, Vishakha dutt’s Mudrarakshasha, Shudrak’s Mrichhkatikam etc. are very important from historical point of view.

Regional literature – Regarding the books of regional languages, there is plentiful material in history. It includes Sangam literature (Tamil literature), The Telugu book Krishnadeorai Vijyayam written by Dhurjati.

In Rajasthani language there are – Prithviraj Raso by Chand Bardai, Kanhude Prabandh by Padamnam, Rao Jatriro Chhand by Meethu Sooja, Vansh Bhaskar by Suryamal etc.

Foreigners Narrative Literature based on foreigners, opinion about IndiaChief among the Greek writters are – Tessius, Nerodotus, Niryakus, Aristobulus, Aryna, Skuylax etc. The most important book is INDICA written by Magasthenes. Among the Chinese travellers are – Heiun – Tsang, I – Tsing, Fa – hien etc. Among the Tibetans’ description of India, the two books –

1. Kangyur, and 

2. Tengyur are regarded as the most useful books.

(c) Dynasties’s narratives – In the ancient history of India and in our holy Puranas, Vanshawalis have played an important role in writing the history of that period. We find the records of many historical events in such Vanshawalis.

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