ANCIENT INDIA In Historical Outline by D

ANCIENT INDIA In Historical Outline by D.N. Jha

This book is a substantially modified and enlarged version of the author's Ancient India: An Introductory Outline (Delhi, 1977) and surveys the major developments in India's social, economic and cultural history up to the end of the ancient period and the beginning of the early middle ages and explains the rise and growth of states with reference to their material basis. Special attention has been paid to the elements of change and continuity in society, economy and culture, and to the changing forms of exploitation and consequent social tensions as well as to the role of religion and superstition in society. The book demolishes the popular historiographical stereotypes created by the Hindu- chauvinist communal writings. It also gives the lie to the view that the Indian society has been stagnant and changeless--a view which was propagated by Western scholars in the heyday of British imperialism and continues to be peddled ingeniously in our own times.

The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. . . and the demolition of the Baburi Masjid are two... unforgettable milestones in the unfolding of the backward- looking Hindu revivalist and fascist politics of contemporary India.

Since both Harappa and Mohenjodaro are situated now in Pakistan, the Hindu revivalists are busy locating the epicentre of the Harappan culture in the elusive Saraswati valley.

Dwijendra Narayah Jha graduated from Presidency College, Calcutta, in 1957 and obtained M..A. and Ph.D. degrees in 1959 and 1964 respectively from Patna University where he taught history up to 1975. He is currently professor of history at the University of Delhi.

Professor Jha has lectured at universities and other centres of education in India and abroad and was National Lecturer in History, University Grants Commission, during 1984-5. His works include Revenue System in Post- Maurya and Gupta Times (Calcutta, 1967), Ancient India: An Introductory Outline (Delhi, 1977), Studies in Early Indian Economic History (Delhi, 1980), Economy and Society in Early India: Issues and Paradigms (Delhi, 1993) and a number of articles published in Indian and foreign journals. He has to his credit several edited works including Feudal Social Formation in Early India (Delhi, 1987) and Society and Ideology in India: Essays in Honour of Professor R.S. Sharma (Delhi, 1996).

Professor D.N. Jha was president of the ancient Indian history section of the Indian History Congress in 1979 and its General Secretary from 1985 to 1988.

ANCIENT

INDIA

In Historical Outline

Revised and Enlarged Edition

D.N. JHA

MANOHAR

2010

First published 1977 under the title Ancient India: An Introductory Outline Ninth Reprint 1997 Hindi translation first published 1980 Eighth reprint 1997 Chinese translation first published 1984 This revised and enlarged edition first published December 1998 Paperback edition first published 1999 Reprinted April 1999, January 2000, July 2000, March 2001, June 2002, July 2003, August 2004, July 2005, July 2006. March 2007, July 2008, September 2009 June 2010

?D.N. Jha, 1977,1998

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without prior permission of the author and the publisher

ISBN 81-7304-266-7 (Hb) ISBN 81-7304-285-3 (Pb)

Published by Ajay Kumar Jain for Manohar Publishers & Distributors 4753/23 Ansari Road, Daryaganj New Delhi 110 002

Typeset by AJ Software Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi 110 005

Printed at Print Perfect Greater Noida

IN MEMORIAM DAMODAR DHARMANAND KOSAMBI

(31 July 1907-29 June 1966)

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