Question:
Point out the importance of Ancient Indian History.
Answer.
The history of ancient India dates back to about 2 million years BC [the time when modern humans spread from Africa to Asia and Europe] to 700 AD.
The study of ancient Indian history is very important to us for the following things:
- It tells us about our ancient culture, how, when, and where it developed.
- We also get information about the origin and development of language and script. For example, before Ashoka, Sanskrit was mainly used for state governance, but Ashoka made Prakrit the official language, but later during the Gupta period, Sanskrit again dominated as the official language.
- It also tells us how people used the available natural resources for livelihood.
- It also explains how Indian society changed from an early agricultural society to a civilized agrarian society, and how agriculture has made Indians a secure and settled life.
- It also tells us how human settlements such as villages and cities developed into large states.
- We get to know how the Pre-Aryans, Indo-Aryans, Greeks, Huns, Turks, etc. have contributed to the making of Indian culture.
- The Indus River was known as Sindhu in ancient India, the name Hind was taken by the Arabs from the word Sindhu, and the name India was also derived from the word Sindhu by the Greeks.
- It also tells us about our glorious past and peaceful coexistence.
- India was home to many religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. They follow different social customs and speak several languages, but a similar style of life was found throughout the country.
- The entire Indian subcontinent was known as Bharatvarsha [name taken from ancient tribe India].
- Ancient kings like Ashoka, Gupta, and Harshavardhana also tried to take over the whole of India, this also shows unity.
Answer the following questions:
1. Which of the following activities is indicative of civilized people?
a) Hunting
b) Farming
c) Cooking
d) Writing
Answer. d) Writing
2. What was the ancient name of the Indus river?
a) Bipasa
b) Saraswati
c) Sindhu
d) Basanti
Answer. b) Sindhu
3. Which of the following king was considered Chakravartins?
a) Ashoka
b) Chandragupta Maurya
c) Harshvardhana
d) Chalukya
Answer. a) Ashoka and Samudragupta were two kings that ruled the Himalayas to sea, Brahmaputra valley to Indus rivers valley.
4. Prakrit language was the official language during which empire?
a) Ashoka
b) Gupta period
c) Harshvardhana
d) Chalukya
Answer. a) Ashoka
5. Sanskrit language was the official language during which empire?
a) Ashoka
b) Gupta period
c) Harshvardhana
d) Chalukya
Answer. b) Gupta period
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Try to solve the following questions:
- In what ways does ancient Indian history show the basic unity of India?
Source: Ancient India R S Sharma
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