A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century

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Basic ApproachDeveloped as a comprehensive introductory work for scholars and students of ancient and early medieval Indian history, this books provides the mostexhaustive overview of the subject. Dividing the vast historical expanse from the stone age to the 12th century into broad chronological units, it constructs profiles of various geographical regions of the subcontinent, weaving together and analysing an unparalleled range of literary and archaeological evidence.Dealing with prehistory and protohistory of the subcontinent in considerable detail, the narrative of the historical period breaks away from conventional text-based history writing. Providing a window into the world primary sources, it incorporates a large volume of archaeological data, along with literary, epigraphic, and numismatic evidence. Revealing the ways in which our past is constructed, it explains fundamental concepts, and illuminates contemporary debates, discoveries, and research. Situating prevailing historical debates in their contexts, Ancient and Early Medieval India presents balanced assessments, encouraging readers to independently evaluate theories, evidence, and arguments.Beautifully illustrated with over four hundred photographs, maps, and figures, Ancient and Early Medieval India helps visualize and understand the extraordinarily rich and varied remains of the ancient past of Indian subcontinent. It offers a scholarly and nuancedxBF;yet lucidxBF;account of IndiaxBF;s early past, and will surely transform the discovery of this past into an exciting experience.Tabel of ContentsList of photographsList of mapsList of figuresAbout the authorPrefaceAcknowledgementsA readers guide1. Understanding Literary and Archaeological Sources2. Hunter-Gatherers of the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Ages3. The Transition to Food Production: Neolithic,NeolithicxBF;Chalcolithic, and Chalcolithic Villages, c. 7000xBF;2000 bce4. The Harappan Civilization, c. 2600xBF;1900 bce5. Cultural Transitions: Images from Texts and Archaeology, c. 2000xBF;600 bce6. Cities, Kings, and Renunciants: North India, c. 600xBF;300 bce7. Power and Piety: The Maurya Empire, c. 324xBF;187 bce8. Interaction and Innovation, c. 200 BCExBF;300 ce9. Aesthetics and Empire, c. 300xBF;600 ce10. Emerging Regional Configurations, c. 600xBF; 1200 ceNote on diacriticsGlossaryFurther readingsReferencesIndexAuthor BioUpinder Singh is Professor in the Department of History at the University of Delhi. She taught history at St. StephenxBF;s College, Delhi, from 1981 until 2004, after which she joined the faculty of the Department of History at the University of Delhi. Professor SinghxBF;s wide range of research interests andexpertise include the analysis of ancient and early medieval inscriptions; social and economic history; religious institutions and patronage; history of archaeology; and modern history of ancient monuments. Her research papers have been published in various national and international journals. Her published books include: Kings, Brahmanas, and Temples in Orissa: An Epigraphic Study (AD 300xBF;1147) (1994); Ancient Delhi (1999; 2nd edn., 2006); a book for children, Mysteries of the Past: Archaeological Sites in India (2002); The Discovery of Ancient India: Early Archaeologists and the Beginnings of Archaeology (2004); and Delhi: Ancient History (edited, 2006).