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A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century 1st Edition
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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 : 4.85 pounds
- Dimensions : 11 x 1.25 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #5,202,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,270 in Asian History (Books)
- #5,346 in India History
- #7,384 in European History (Books)
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2009This is the most comprehensive and well written book on Ancient and Medieval Indian History that I have seen. Starting from the Stone Age and going up to the 12th century this is an excellent reference book, both for the student as well as for the general public. Well illustrated with color maps, photographs and figures, the book is printed and bound beautifully. Regarding the organization of the chapters let me quote from the book:
"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.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2020Very well researched and well written. Indian history text always have a underlying agenda to push. In this book there is a slight liberal leaning style but no agenda is forced into the material and helps make your own opinion based on both literary and archaeological evidence. Very ambitious book and requires a lot of time for active reading
- Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2010This is basically a textbook, and needs to be compared to other textbooks. On that scale it comes out very well indeed.One common problem with textbooks is that the writers get nervous about potential criticism from other experts. In that state of mind, writers start qualifying their statements to the point that the presentation gets very muddy.
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.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2011This comprehensive book covers many topics over a very long time span in a fair amount of detail. Topics covered include language, religion, ancient texts, writing scripts, archaeological sites, food production, and more. This work provides detail about a topic in the context of the time and place, thereby providing a sense of how it came about and who the people were. If you are interested in India from the macro perspective, this book is for you. It is a beautiful book, well written, with an incredible amount of information.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2016Great book and great service.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2024Does not include any genetic evidence which has added a new alternate perspective on the direction and dates of early populations. Needs to be re-wwritten.
Top reviews from other countries
- KshitijReviewed in India on March 14, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars The only comprehensive book taking in all the different perspective
The only comprehensive book that I found on Indian History for undergraduate level , Upinder ma'am have taken in all the perspectives, which makes it very easy to understand the life of people as well as culture of ancient India. Really recommend all to read it.
-
cavicchi valterReviewed in Italy on September 5, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Conoscere dettagliatamente la storia medievale del subcontinente indiano
Mi è piaciuto tutto
- thakur c raiReviewed in Canada on December 13, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good - India or south Asia history book
Very good - India or south Asia history book. If you learning or studying south Asia or India history, you must have it.
- DolopoReviewed in Spain on March 24, 2016
4.0 out of 5 stars a good handbook
Though some sections are not enough worked, it is one of the most useful handbooks I have found until now.
- User99Reviewed in India on September 1, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant read
Used this for academic purposes