History is a study of the past. By studying the past , we learn how human beings had progressed gradually and how they became food producers, cooks, farmers, traders from the food gatherers. By studying the history, we learn how their lifestyle had changed over the passage of time. It gives us knowledge of what our ancestors ate, how did external and internal changes occur in their lives? The word “history” was first used by Herodotus in his book ‘Historica’ (Historical)! Herodotus is called ‘the father of history’.
Importance SouThe source of Indian history can be divided into the following parts;
- Archaeological sources
- Literary Sources
-
Foreign Travelers’ Details
rces of Indian History
1. Archaeological sources
Records are important archaeological sources. Records are mostly found in idols, pillars, rocks, copper pots, other metal papers, caves etc. These records give us important information about the then ruler and society. In fact, the records of Emperor Ashoka are most important. The language of these records is also primarily Brahmi, Khurshthi and some records are also found in Aramaic scripts. Brahmi script has been used in this ancient Magadhi language in Eastern areas. The Brahmi script was written from left to right on the left, whereas the ‘Sarashthi script’ used in northwestern province was written from right to left. The main topics of the inscriptions of Ashoka are related to Vastu giving people the knowledge of living a ideal life.
After the Ashoka, the following records are received – Nasik Guphika of Satavahana Naresh Pulumavi, Hathigumgfa of Kharavel, Junagadh records of Suk Satraam first Rudradaman, Prayag column article of Samudragupta written by Harishan, Mandasaur record of Naresh Yashovarman of Malva, Naresh Pulakeshin of Chalukya Aihole record of the second, the Gwalior records of the Pratishhar Naresh Bhoj, Skandagupta Bhatri and Junagadh articles of Bengal, Vayang Sen’s Devapada records of Bengal ruler etc. These records are written by the rulers. There are several non-governmental records, such as Yasen Ambassador Heliadores’s Besnagar, Garuda Pillar article from Vidisha. 14 inscriptions of Ashoka are a group of different articles which have been obtained from following eight different places-
(1) Dhauli – This is in Puri district of Orissa.
(2) Shahbaz Khan – This is in Pakistan (Peshawar).
(3) Maan Sehra – This is located in Hazara district of Pakistan.
(4) Kalasi- It is in present day Uttarakhand (Dehradun).
(5) Jogarh- It is situated in Jorgarh in Orissa.
(6) Soapra – This is in the Thane district of Maharashtra.
(7) Eragudi- This is in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
8) Girnar- This is near Junagadh in Kathiaabad
2.Literary sources
Various types of literary texts come under literary sources. These texts provide many types of information directly or indirectly. Literary sources are divided into two parts – religious literature and temporal literature.
Religious literature
Religious literature includes Brahmin and Brahminic religions texts
- In the Brahmanic texts- Vedas, Puranas, , Ramayana, Gita Mahabharata, etc. are included.
- Jain and Buddhist texts of this type of literature are also included.
- Buddhist literature is contained in ‘Tripitak’. Triptic compiled in various Buddhist schools after the Paranivaran of Mahatma Buddha is ancient scripture. The word ‘Pittaq’ literally means a basket. Thus, there are three pitaks : Suttapitak, Vinayaktik and Abhidhamaptik
Like the Buddhist literature, Jain Dharam text is also important. Jain literature is composed in Prakrit and Sanskrit language. . Jain literature, is called ‘Agam’, and they are 12 in numbers.
Other literature
Under this literature, historical texts, biographies, imaginative and fiction literature are described.
3. Foreign Travelers Details
Foreign travelers have played a vital role in reconstructing the history of India by providing firsthand accounts of its society, culture, economy, and politics during different periods. Their observations, though subjective at times, offer valuable insights into historical developments and interactions between India and the outside world.
Greek historian Megasthenes, who visited the Mauryan court of Chandragupta, wrote Indica, which gives details about administration, city planning, and social life. Fa-Hien and Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang), Chinese pilgrims, visited India during the Gupta and Harsha periods, respectively, documenting religious practices, education systems like Nalanda, and Buddhist traditions. Arab traveler Al-Biruni provided a comprehensive account of Indian science, religion, and society in his work Tahqiq-i-Hind. Ibn Battut who was a Moroccan traveler, recorded the workings of the Delhi Sultanate under Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
While foreign accounts may carry cultural biases, their external perspectives help historians cross-verify native sources and gain a broader understanding of India’s historical fabric.