Sources of Ancient Indian History | Vedic Literature, Foreign Accounts & Archaeology Explained

This video explains the Sources of Ancient Indian History in a simple and exam-focused manner. It covers Vedic literature, historical texts, foreign accounts, inscriptions, coins, archaeology, Purāṇas, Smritis, Buddhist & Jain texts, and all major evidences used by historians. Topics include: • Vedas, Brahmanas, Vedangas • Purāṇas, Itihasa, Smriti literature • Buddhist Jataka, Kathavastu, Jain Agamas, Kalpasutra • Arthashastra, Rajatarangini • Greek, Roman, Chinese & Arab accounts: Megasthenes, Fa-Hien, Hsuan Tsang, Al-Biruni • Inscriptions (Epigraphy), coins (Numismatics), seals, archaeological sites • Important inscriptions: Prayag Pillar, Hathigumpha, Junagadh, Nasik, Aihole This video is helpful for UPSC, SSC, State PSC, Railway, NDA, CDS, CAPF, and all competitive exams. 0:00 – Introduction: Ancient India as a Historical Investigation 0:27 – How Historians Reconstruct the Past 0:46 – Three Categories of Sources (Texts, Foreign Accounts, Archaeology) 1:13 – Source 1: Literary Texts & Scriptures 1:36 – Vedas Explained (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda) 2:08 – Social Structure & Purusha Sukta 2:28 – Beyond Religion: Puranas, Arthashastra & Rajatarangini 2:59 – Other Textual Sources: Jataka, Jain Agamas, Ashtadhyayi 3:25 – Source 2: Foreign Accounts of India 3:43 – Greek to Roman Visitors: Megasthenes & Indica 4:01 – Chinese Travelers: Fa-Hien & Xuanzang 4:30 – Nalanda University as an International Learning Centre 4:45 – Source 3: Archaeological Evidence 5:05 – Epigraphy: Decoding Ancient Inscriptions 5:21 – Sati’s First Written Evidence: Eran Inscription 5:47 – Major Inscriptions: Hathigumpha, Prayag Prashasti, Bhitari 6:05 – Numismatics: What Coins Reveal About Ancient India 6:18 – Indo-Greek Coins & Roman Trade Evidence 6:32 – How Historians Cross-Verify All Three Sources 6:45 – Case Study: Gupta Empire (Literary + Inscriptions + Foreign Accounts) 7:18 – Why History Is Never Fully Complete 7:36 – The Ongoing Search for Hidden Clues