Welcome everyone
I have started this discussion group for answer writing practice for mains 2015. Reasons for new thread:
I would post questions from our syllabus 3-4 ques a day.. Starting from ancient history 1st topic in the syllabus SOURCES....would post two previous years and 1-2 new questions likely to come . In ancient we 12 such topics we will give 2 days to each topic.... While writing for two days on topic 1 it is advised to prep. topic two in the meantime...
As per this draft plan it likely that by dec 1st week we will finish the whole syllabus....
The draft plan is totally amendable and questions from your side would also be appreciated and are desired.
Would start posting questions from tomorrow evening. So anyone who wish to join plz prep in the meantime archaeological sources from the first topic. And next day it woulbe literary sources
Comments
TOPIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOURCES:
Q1. Considering the archaeological evidences found in indian subcontinent during 2000 to 500 bce throw some light on the social and religious lifes of the various cultures that prevailed.(asked in upsc previously 2 times )
Q2. In the absence of any written script the Chalcolithic pottery gives a fascinating insight into the lifes of culture and lifestyle of the people of those times. Comment critically. (Upsc13)
From my side:
Q3.Give a brief accont of development of the coinage system of india from cowrie shells to the dinaras of the gupta age. Also explain how does the study of numismatics have helped in the better understanding of the political history of ancient india.
Q4. The exploration and excavations of the ash mound sites raised a debate about the subsistence basis of the Neolithic settlements of southern india. Comment.
Besides you can post questions too.....
Plz take the initiative ahead
will revise these topics and write the answers.
Thanx.....eagerly waiting .....and invite others too ~~the more diverse the answers the more we would learn.
1 some reference to gold (kahapanna and nishka) in vedas but it is not known whether they were used as medium of exchange
2 reference in buddhist text abt coins (karshapanna) used
3 with the advent of mahajanapada age the punch marked coins made of silver and copper were used . they were issued by state and in some cases guild. they did not have religious symbol and had geometric, plant and animal design on their back
4 First die struck round coin was issued by indo greeks. they were issued in bilingual scripts. they provide information abt the kings and the political system of indo greeks
5 Kushans issued the first Gold coins. this was the time of trade revolution in india leading to much greater use of coins. Hindu, buddhist and greek godswere depicted on back of coins
6 many central indian small kingdoms and dynasty also issued their small copper coins
7 Due to trade with rome lot of roman coins found their place india.
8 saka kshatrapas introduced the silver coins in central and western india
9 Based on the model of saka coins Guptas introduced their oen silver coins and gold coins. the gupta coins had images of gupta coins on it
1. Coins tell us abt the political history , dynasty, religion and name of kings
2. History of indo greeks is largely constructed from its coins. long reign of menander and system of conjoint rule was known from their coins
3 images of buddhist and hindu deities on the coins of kushans and other greeks indicate their acceptance of indian religion along with their greek religion
4 in saka coins dates are mentioned which help to position them and others in history
5 counterstamping of coins may indicating the territorial victory of kingdoms
6 information abt small central indian and certain non monarchical kingdom is gathered only from their coins
7 debasement of coins indicate poor economic situation which may further indicate the deterioting political condition
8 personal qualities of individual king like veena playing of samudragupta is understood from coins
9 kings whose account are missing in text are often known through the coins they issue
Almost everything included in the first answer except
the symbols and motifs on South Indian coin such as the boar (Chalukya), bull (Pallava), tiger (Chola), fish (Pandya and Alupas), bow and arrow (Cheras) and lion (Hoysala) etc. Representing their dynastic crests.