Author Ram Sharan Sharma takes a look at the roots of the various religions, civilizations, and empires that grew in India in his book India’s Ancient Past. Kicking off with a discussion on history and its writing, the book covers the cultures that were in existence in ancient India.
Summary Of The Book
India’s Ancient Past is a comprehensive account of ancient Indian history. The author of the book explores the cultures and social formations that were prevalent in India from the very first human beings in India to the early Medieval period. Various geographical and linguistic backgrounds have been covered. Specific cultures like the Harappan Civilization, Neolithic, and Vedic periods have also been examined in detail by the author.
India’s Ancient Past starts off with a chapter on ancient Indian history and its significance, which is preceded by a list of detailed maps that were in use during the time periods that have been covered in the book. In the following chapters, the book goes on to explore the stone age, as well as the Neolithic period. It was in the Neolithic period that people started producing food. Animal keeping had also started by then.
Chalcolithic Cultures, along with the Harappan Civilization is highlighted in other sections of India’s Ancient Past. The author also discusses the Aryan culture in detail. The rise of religions like Jainism and Buddhism is explained by the author. Invasions by the Macedonians and the Iranians have also been highlighted. The following chapters go on to explain India’s contact with various Central Asian powers, the Gupta empire and its rise, as well as the developments that took place in the philosophical sphere.
About Ram Sharan Sharma
Ram Sharan Sharma was a renowned Indian historian whose work regarding ancient and medieval India was hugely appreciated, and is still respected till this day.
Some of the author’s most well-known books are Light On Early Indian Society And Economy, Social Changes In Early Medieval India (Circa A.D.500-1200), Perspectives In Social And Economic History Of Early India, Looking For The Aryans, and Land Revenue In India: Historical Studies.
Ram Sharan Sharma was born and brought up in a poor Brahmin family in Bihar. It was quite a tough job for his father to sponsor his education. The author spent his college life in Patna College, where he spent six years completing both his undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
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