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A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century 1st Edition
Basic Approach
Developed as a comprehensive introductory work for scholars and students of ancient and early medieval Indian history, this books provides the most exhaustive overview of the subject. Dividing the vast historical expanse from the stone age to the 12th century into broad chronological units, it constructs profiles of various geographical regions of the subcontinent, weaving together and analysing an unparalleled range of literary and archaeological evidence.
Dealing with prehistory and protohistory of the subcontinent in considerable detail, the narrative of the historical period breaks away from conventional text-based history writing. Providing a window into the world primary sources, it incorporates a large volume of archaeological data, along with literary, epigraphic, and numismatic evidence. Revealing the ways in which our past is constructed, it explains fundamental concepts, and illuminates contemporary debates, discoveries, and research. Situating prevailing historical debates in their contexts, Ancient and Early Medieval India presents balanced assessments, encouraging readers to independently evaluate theories, evidence, and arguments.
Beautifully illustrated with over four hundred photographs, maps, and figures, Ancient and Early Medieval India helps visualize and understand the extraordinarily rich and varied remains of the ancient past of Indian subcontinent. It offers a scholarly and nuanced¿yet lucid¿account of India¿s early past, and will surely transform the discovery of this past into an exciting experience.
Tabel of Contents
List of photographs
List of maps
List of figures
About the author
Preface
Acknowledgements
A readers guide
1. Understanding Literary and Archaeological Sources
2. Hunter-Gatherers of the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Ages
3. The Transition to Food Production: Neolithic,Neolithic¿Chalcolithic, and Chalcolithic Villages, c. 7000¿2000 bce
4. The Harappan Civilization, c. 2600¿1900 bce
5. Cultural Transitions: Images from Texts and Archaeology, c. 2000¿600 bce
6. Cities, Kings, and Renunciants: North India, c. 600¿300 bce
7. Power and Piety: The Maurya Empire, c. 324¿187 bce
8. Interaction and Innovation, c. 200 BCE¿300 ce
9. Aesthetics and Empire, c. 300¿600 ce
10. Emerging Regional Configurations, c. 600¿ 1200 ce
Note on diacritics
Glossary
Further readings
References
Index
Author Bio
Upinder Singh is Professor in the Department of History at the University of Delhi. She taught history at St. Stephen¿s College, Delhi, from 1981 until 2004, after which she joined the faculty of the Department of History at the University of Delhi. Professor Singh¿s wide range of research interests and expertise include the analysis of ancient and early medieval inscriptions; social and economic history; religious institutions and patronage; history of archaeology; and modern history of ancient monuments. Her research papers have been published in various national and international journals. Her published books include: Kings, Brahmanas, and Temples in Orissa: An Epigraphic Study (AD 300¿1147) (1994); Ancient Delhi (1999; 2nd edn., 2006); a book for children, Mysteries of the Past: Archaeological Sites in India (2002); The Discovery of Ancient India: Early Archaeologists and the Beginnings of Archaeology (2004); and Delhi: Ancient History (edited, 2006).
- ISBN-10813171120X
- ISBN-13978-8131711200
- Edition1st
- PublisherPearson Education
- Publication dateMay 18, 2009
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions11 x 1.25 x 9 inches
- Print length704 pages
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Upinder Singh is Professor in the Department of History at the University of Delhi. She taught history at St. Stephen¿s College, Delhi, from 1981 until 2004, after which she joined the faculty of the Department of History at the University of Delhi. Professor Singh¿s wide range of research interests and expertise include the analysis of ancient and early medieval inscriptions; social and economic history; religious institutions and patronage; history of archaeology; and modern history of ancient monuments. Her research papers have been published in various national and international journals. Her published books include: Kings, Brahmanas, and Temples in Orissa: An Epigraphic Study (AD 300¿1147) (1994); Ancient Delhi (1999; 2nd edn., 2006); a book for children, Mysteries of the Past: Archaeological Sites in India (2002); The Discovery of Ancient India: Early Archaeologists and the Beginnings of Archaeology (2004); and Delhi: Ancient History (edited, 2006).
Product details
- Publisher : Pearson Education; 1st edition (May 18, 2009)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 704 pages
- ISBN-10 : 813171120X
- ISBN-13 : 978-8131711200
- Item Weight : 4.89 pounds
- Dimensions : 11 x 1.25 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,296,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,464 in India History
- #6,152 in European History (Books)
- #214,889 in Unknown
- Customer Reviews:
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Top reviews from the United States
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"Each chapter constitutes a chronological unit within a larger framework, providing a comprehensive overview of historical issues and details, and constructing profiles of the various geographical regions in the sub continent. The chapter outline provides a view of the broad organization of the chapter. An opening story from a variety of sources serves as an engaging start for the chapter and also presents a strand from the rich thematic core of the chapter's discussion."
I can't put it any better, but can only confirm it is not at all an exaggeration and each chapter looks like an art of work! The links to the early Indian literature, the tools, coins, inscriptions and other archeological evidence, external sources, later scientific interpretations of the evidence, and new directions of research are so well covered in each chapter than one cannot ask for anything more.
The book is expensive (Rs.3,500 in India and over $120 in U.S) but well worth it for the serious student of Indian History. I was also told that the author is the daughter of the India's prime minister, Mr.Manmohan Singh. I have not cross checked that, but anyway all Indians can be proud of Upinder Singh's contribution.
Upinder Singh's writing, on the other hand, is clear as a bell. Any halfway interested reader will not be put off by her prose but drawn in. Given the difficulties of writing about ancient India, this is a remarkable achievement.
Top reviews from other countries
Though the book is a bit bulky, it is worth it, because the content is very high quality.
Also, the book is a colourful one, so you enjoy reading this.