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Republics, Kingdoms,...
Republics, Kingdoms, Towns and Cities in Ancient India
by: G.P. SinghThis, an authorised reprint of an annual bulletin of the Indian Archaeological Society, has been offering valuable informations, full with rich insights and innovative viewpoints, on the Indian archaeology that includes excavations, inscriptions, temples, mosques, iconic symbols, paintings, etc. This yearly bulletin is highly recommended for archaeologists, epigraphists, historians and research scholars besides the general readers having interest in such fields.
₹900.00
ISBN: 9788124602379
Year Of Publication: 2003
Edition: 1st
Pages : xxiii, 336
Bibliographic Details : Bibliography; Index
Language : English
Binding : Hardcover
Publisher: D.K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
Size: 25 cm.
Weight: 1100
Ancient Indian polity took a new turn with the emergence of republics in the post-Vedic age. The history of republics covers the period from the age of the Mahabharata to the fourth century AD. Dr. G.P. Singh here comprehensively, yet incisively, studies the rise, growth and fall of republics in ancient India during the period. He has also dwelt upon the rise and expansion of kingdoms and growth and decline of towns, cities and various urban centres in different parts of the Indian subcontinent at length. The work traces the pattern and functioning of republican governments at the time of the Buddha (sixth and fifth centuries bc) Panini (fifth century bc), Kautilya (fourth century bc), Alexander (327-325 bc), the Mauryas (321-184 bc) the Sungas (184-72 bc) and the Guptas later. The research is based on the indepth study of the epics, the Puranas, and Buddhist and Jaina sources which are supplemented by Greek and Roman writings, Sanskrit literary evidence and epigraphic & numismatic discoveries. It delves deep into modes of expansion of territories, factors leading to urbanisation and urbanisation patterns, and town planning. It presents a picturesque description of the urban centres of north-western India primarily based on Greek and Latin sources and pays special attention to dates related to founding of republics and cities, their extent, their functioning as administrative and religious centres, the problem of their identification and references to them in works, and their place in the wider framework of ancient Indian polity. The book will be useful to scholars and students interested in the study of ancient Indian polity and urban history.
Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. The Post-Vedic Republics
Introductory Remarks
Andhaka-Vrsni Samgha
Republics in the Time of the Buddha
Some Republics During and After the Time of Panini
Republics After the Buddha and Before Kautilya
Republics of North-West India in Paninian, Alexandrian and
the post-Alexandrian Period
Republics Under the Mauryas
Some Republics in the Sunga Period
Republics During the Time of Samudragupta
A Critical Assessment of the Functioning of Republics General Causes of the Decline and Disappearance of Republics
2. The Sixteen Mahajanapadas of Northern India in the Age of the Buddha Anga
Magadha
Kasi
Kosala
Vajji
Malla
Ceti (Cedi)
Vamsa (Vatsa)
Kuru
Pancala
Maccha (Matsya)
Surasena
Assaka (Asmaka)
Avanti
Gandhara
Kamboja
3. Trends and Patterns of Urbanisation and the Growth and Decline of Towns and Cities in Ancient India from the Post-Harappan Period to the Gupta Age with Special Reference to the Ganga Valley
Northern India
Eastern India
Central India
Western India
Southern India
General Remarks
Phases of Urban Growth
Causes of Urban Decline
4. A Fresh Literary Discovery of the Seals of Dvaraka in the Epic Age : A Supplement to Archaeological Discovery by S.R. Rao
5. The Emergence, Growth and Decay of Urban Centres in North-West India in the Pre- and Post-Maurya Period as Gleaned from the Classical Sources
General Bibliography
Index
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