Sarkari Pathshala“Daily Notes & MCQs for Govt Job Aspirants”

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. 📚 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...

Introduction to Indian History 1. What Is History? Definition : “History” = study of the past; from Greek historia (“research, inquiry”). Key Historians : Herodotus (484–425 BC): “Father of History” – wrote The Histories on Greco‑Persian wars. Cicero (106–43 BC): First to call Herodotus “Father of History.” Leopold von Ranke (1795–1886 AD): “Father of Modern History”—“What actually happened.” E.H. Carr (1892–1982 AD): History = continuous dialogue between historian & facts. 2. Systems of Dating BC/AD (Western Christian): BC = Before Christ (e.g., Buddha born 563 BC). AD = Anno Domini, “in the year of the Lord” (e.g., Jesus crucified 30 AD). Counting Years : There is no year 0 : 1 BC → 1 AD. Backward count: 1 BC = 2, 2 BC = 3… Forward count: 1 AD = 1, 2 AD = 2… 3. Time‑Glossary Term Meaning Decade 10 years Half‑Century First or last 50 years of century Century 100 years Millennium 1,000 years Circa (c.) “About,” used when...