MAHC401 Geography of India & Sources of Ancient Indian History

The Geography of India has played a decisive role in shaping the political, economic, and cultural evolution of ancient Indian civilization. Natural features such as the Himalayas, the Indo-Gangetic plains, the Deccan Plateau, rivers, monsoon system, and long coastlines influenced settlement patterns, agriculture, trade routes, and cultural interactions. The availability of fertile land and river systems supported early civilizations like the Harappan culture, while mountains and seas facilitated both protection and external contacts. The reconstruction of Ancient Indian History relies on diverse sources broadly classified into literary, archaeological, and foreign accounts. Literary sources include Vedas, Epics, Puranas, Buddhist and Jain texts; archaeological sources comprise inscriptions, coins, monuments, tools, and excavated sites; and foreign accounts are provided by Greek, Roman, Chinese, and Arab travelers. A critical and interdisciplinary study of geography and historical sources enables a scientific understanding of India’s ancient past, ensuring accuracy, chronology, and cultural continuity.