๐️Indian History Part 2: Foreign Accounts and Literary Sources in Ancient India
Hello Learners! Today’s topic covers how we know about ancient Indian history through foreign travelers and literary sources such as Vedic, Buddhist, and Jain texts. These sources help in understanding the socio-political, religious, and cultural life of ancient India — essential for exams like UPSC, SSC, Railway, and more. ๐ Topic Summary (100–150 words) India’s past has been extensively documented by foreign travelers like Megasthenes , Alberuni , Fa-Hien , Hiuen Tsang , Ibn Battuta , and many others who visited or studied India. Their travel accounts describe India’s administration, religions, education systems, and society. Literary sources are divided into: Hindu texts : Shruti (Vedas) and Smriti (Epics, Puranas) Buddhist texts : Tripitaka, Jataka Jain texts : 12 Angas, Acharanga Sutra Semi-historical & Biographical texts : Rajatarangini, Harshacharita Foreign sources like Chinese (Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsang) and Arab (Al Masudi, Al-Beruni) contributed valua...