Ancient India : Cultural
1. Language and Literature
- Ancient India had many languages like Sanskrit, Pali, Ardhamagadhi, and Tamil.
- Sangham Literature (Tamil) tells us about South India’s olden times.
- Famous epics: Silappadhikaram & Manimekhalai.
- Religious Books:
- Jain Texts: Agamgranthas (Teachings of Mahavir).
- Buddhist Texts: Tipitaka (3 parts—Sutta Pitaka, Vinay Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka).
- Hindu Texts: Bhagavad Gita (Part of Mahabharata, teaches duty and devotion to God).
- Famous Scholars & Books:
- Kautilya’s Arthashastra – Talks about good government.
- Panini’s Ashtadhyayi – A book on Sanskrit grammar.
- Kalidasa’s Raghuvansha & Kumarsambhava – Classical Sanskrit literature.
- Panchatantra – Moral stories by Vishnusharma.
2. Life of the People
- Trade was important, with goods like textiles, ivory, spices, and pottery sold in other countries.
- Society had different castes and trader groups called Shrenis.
- Food: Rice, wheat, barley, pulses, milk, fruits, meat, fish.
- Clothes: Cotton was common, but silk and wool were also worn.
3. Science
Medicine (Ayurveda): Ancient medical system.
- Charaka Samhita (by Charaka) – Talks about diseases and treatments.
- Sushruta Samhita (by Sushruta) – Describes surgeries and medical techniques.
Mathematics & Astronomy:
- Indians invented numbers 1-9 and zero.
- Aryabhata (book: Aryabhatiya) – Said the Earth moves around the Sun.
- Brahmagupta – His maths books were translated into Arabic.
- Kanad – Talked about atoms (Anu & Parmanu).
4. Education Centres
- Takshashila University (in today’s Pakistan) – Famous for many subjects.
- Nalanda University (Bihar) – Had a huge library and thousands of students.
- Varanasi – Taught Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist texts.
- Vikramshila University (Bihar) – Built by King Dharmapal.
- Kanchi (Tamil Nadu) – A major learning center.
5. Art and Architecture
- Maurya & Gupta Period: Great progress in architecture.
- Ashoka’s Pillars: Made of stone, beautifully carved.
- Stupas: Dome-shaped Buddhist monuments (e.g., Sanchi Stupa).
- Cave Sculptures: Found at Ajanta, Ellora, Nashik, and Udayagiri.
- Temple Architecture:
- Chalukyas & Pallavas built amazing temples.
- Mahabalipuram Temples – Show South Indian temple style.
- Iron Pillar (Mehrauli, Delhi) – Shows India’s advanced metallurgy.
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