India : the ancient past : a history of the Indian subcontinent from c. 7000 BCE to CE 1200

__India: The Ancient Past__ provides a clear and systematic introduction to the cultural, political, economic, social and geographical history of ancient India from the time of the pre-Harappan culture nine thousand years ago up until the beginning of the second millennium of the Common Era. The book engages with methodological and controversial issues by examining key themes such as the Indus-Sarasvati civilization, the Aryan controversy, the development of Vedic and heterodox religions, and the political economy and social life of ancient Indian kingdoms. This fully revised and updated second edition includes: * Three new chapters examining the differences and commonalities between the north and south of India; * Extended discussion on contested issues, such as the origins of the Aryans and the role of feudalism in ancient India; * New source excerpts to introduce students to the most significant works in the historiography of India, and questions for discussion; * Study guides, including a list of key issues, suggested readings and a selection of internet sources for each chapter; * Specially designed maps to illustrate different time periods and geographical regions This richly illustrated guide provides a fascinating account of the early development of Indian culture and civilization that will appeal to all students of Indian history. Machine Generated Contents Note: 1. Introduction -- Defining Terms -- Why Study Ancient India? -- Time, Space And People -- Sources Of Study -- 2. From Africa To Mehrgarh: The Early Prehistory Of India -- Earliest Phases Of Human Settlement And Activity -- Neolithic Revolution And The Rise Of Agriculture -- Development Of Proto-urban Settlements In The Late Neolithic Period -- 3. Harappan -- Indus -- Sarasvati Civilisation -- Phases Of Progress In Harappan Archaeology -- Understanding The Mature Harappan Phase -- Demise Of The Harappan Civilisation -- 4. Who Were The Aryans? -- Understanding The Aryans -- Aryan Expansion -- Vedic World Of The Indo-aryans -- 5. Post-vedic Centuries -- Rise Of The State System -- Persian And Greek Intrusions -- Second Urbanisation -- Dissent And Heterodoxy -- Varieties Of Literature -- 6. Mauryan State: Imperialism And Compassion -- Chandragupta Maurya And His Court -- Ashoka And His Dhamma -- Mauryan World -- 7. Between The Mauryas And The Guptas -- New Dynasties And New Centres Of Power -- International Trade Of India -- New Trends In Indian Religions -- Secular Literature, Sciences And The Arts -- 8. Era Of The Imperial Guptas -- Empire And The Emperors -- Gupta Society: A World In Transition -- Indian Achievements In The Gupta Period -- 9. Feudal North India -- Dynastic Landscape -- Kingship In The Feudal Age -- Aspects Of Northern Economy And Society -- Arab And Turco-afghan Invasions Of The North -- 10. Ascendancy Of The South -- Dynastic Landscape -- Kingship And Authority In A Southern Kingdom -- Economy Of The South -- Caste And Gender In The South -- 11. Across North And South: Cultural Unity And Diversity -- Religious Landscape -- Art And Architecture -- Literature And Thought -- Cultural Influences Abroad. Burjor Avari. First Edition Published 2007 By Routledge--title Page Verso. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 310-323) And Index. "India: The Ancient Past" provides a clear and systematic introduction to the cultural, political, economic, social and geographical history of ancient India from the time of pre-Harappan culture 9,000 years ago up until the beginning of the second millennium of the Common Era. Through topics such as the Indus-Saraswati civilization, Vedic and heterodox religions, the political economy, and social life in the Indian kingdom, the book engages with methodological and controversial issues. This richly illustrated guide provides a fascinating account of the early development of Indian culture and civilization that will appeal to all students. -- From publisher's description Cover -- Title Page -- Copyight Page -- Dedication -- Table of Contents -- List of excerpts -- List of illustrations -- Preface to the second edition -- Preface to the first edition -- Acknowledgements -- Synopsis -- 1 Introduction -- Defining terms -- Why study ancient India? -- Time, space and people -- Sources of study -- 2 From Africa to Mehrgarh: the early prehistory of India -- Earliest phases of human settlement and activity -- The Neolithic Revolution and the rise of agriculture -- Development of proto-urban settlements in the late Neolithic period