Glory of Ancient India

The present book consists of nineteen Chapters on Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology. Keeping in mind the requirement of graduate and research students, I have tried my level best to gather facts from all sources including the published and unpublished works. The opening Chapter is on Sources of history without which it is impossible to say anything about the past. The second chapter is based on Indus Valley civilization and the beginning of the metal age. In the third chapter the relation of history is made with the other social sciences. Fourth chapter deals with the period of Mahajanapadas which is followed by the Vedic civilization in the next chapter. Chapter seven and eight are based on Mauryan and Kushana Empires. Chapter ten describes the religious developments in ancient period. The Golden Age of History: The Gupta Age is described in chapter eleven. Vakatakas, Vardhan and Rajput periods are described in the preceding chapters. Chapter 15-19 are based on South Indian History in ancient period. The book is having 112 plates on various pictures followed by word index in the end.
The author has tried her level best to gather facts about ancient period from the works of renowned historians. Lot of help has been taken from online journals and publications. I hope the work will be useful for history seekers.

Dr. Neeta Yadav has eighteen. years of teaching experience at Bundelkhand University Jhansi. She is Associate Professor of History. She has done her B.A, M.A and D.Phil from University of Allahabad. Qualified NET examination in 1997. She has to her credit many paper publications and two books namely - Ardhanarisvara in Indian Art and Literature, History and Heritage of Orchha Bundelkhand. This is her third book. She has attended many National and International seminars and Conferences. She is a life member of Indian History Congress, Indian Art History Congress, Indian History and Culture Society. Beside teaching she has to her credit many administrative responsibilities as well in Bundelkhand University Jhansi. She is master of ancient history culture and archaeology. She has also done masters in Tourism management, Human Rights and English.

The history of any country or geographical area as a whole is generally divided into periods and sub periods. In traditional historical writings, the history of the country is always divided in terms of dynasties that ruled over it. Thus we can refer to Mauryas, The Guptas, The Vakatakas, Cholas etc. The division is also made on the basis of social and economic developments.
Another, more important, kind of division of history into periods is done on the basis of demarcation of stages the development of society. In this kind of periodisation, each period denotes not only a broad chronology but a distinct form of society, economy, political system and culture, which had a well defined culture of its own, distinguishable from other period. The present work is based on ancient Indian history and culture. This work is important for the students pursuing graduation degrees in various fields. Now adays the subject of law is considered incomplete without the proper subject knowledge of history. It is a matter of gratification for me to place in the hands of my readers a work which is long awaited by my students. The present work is sub divided into eighteen chapters, that deals with various periods and dynasties.
The opening chapter deals with the sources of history, without any source material it is rather impossible to write history of any country. Thus sources are the most important materials in constructing history. Second chapter deals with the first Urban civilization of India. History is a subject which is always been in relation with other social sciences and general sciences. This very importance of history is described in chapter three. Chapter four and five are based on Vedic civilization and culture. The life depicted in Dharmshastras and sutras, Epics and various other literature. Buddhism and Jainism, the principles of both the religions are mentioned in the next chapters. The dynastic history from Mauryas to Harshavardhan is mentioned in chapters six to nine. The chapter ten is related to Rajput period and their culture. The remaining chapters are based on south Indian History and important dynasties of southern India.
Each chapter deals with the history and development of its topic from the earliest times to the Rajput period. This method enables the reader to get a continuous and connected idea of history of particular topic or institution from age to age. The book is very helpful to the students of graduation level who study ancient Indian History as a part of their syllabus.
The present work is an outcome of support and motivation of my revered guru, Prof. Anamika Roy, Allahabad University Allahabad. She has always been a guiding light for me. I am grateful to my Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Bundelkhand University Jhansi Prof. Surendra Dubey, who has guided us in such a manner that we get motivated to do some work in the subject concerned. I am always indebted to Prof Sanjay Kulshreshtha, Jiwaji University Gwalior, who inspired me to write for law students and himself interested in collecting facts and evidences related to historical topics. I am thankful to my colleagues Dr. Rajesh Singh, Dr. Saroj Kumar, Dr. Sandeep Verma, Dr. Vinod Kumar, Dr. Harishankar, Dr. Satish Chandra for supporting me in my work. Never the less I am always thankful to my daughter Pragya and my husband K.L. Nigam who have always been supportive in my work and gave their valuable suggestions as and when required.
I am conscious that the work may not be free from shortcomings both in the presentation of facts and in the conclusion derived from them. For all these the author only craves the indulgence of the reader.