Archaeological sources play an important role while reconstructing ancient Indian history. Archaeology deals with the story of the human past through his material remains. Alexander Cunningham, the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India, often called the father of Indian Archaeology. The word archaeology originates from the Greek words “archaeos”, meaning “ancient” or “old”, and “logia”, meaning learning or study. When combined, the word archaeology takes on the meaning of studying or learning about old or ancient things. Archaeological sources became very important sources to understand the pre-history, when there were no written records. Archaeological are primary sources and are tangible in nature. Archaeological sources are inscriptions, Coins, Monuments, Potteries, Sculptures and Other Ruins etc.

 

 

Inscriptions of Ancient Indian

From ancient India, Inscriptions are the most important part of archaeological sources. Inscriptions are written records carved on stones, pillars or walls of caves. They can be considered as the most authentic sources. Inscription means engraved writings. The study of Inscriptions is called Epigraphy. Prakriti, Brahmi, Kharoshti, Greek and Aramaic were the script used in inscriptions.

In ancient Indian subcontinent, the earliest inscription was Harappan writing. The Harappan seals depict the earliest system of writing. The Ashokan inscriptions occupy a very significant place in the history of india. Inscription of Ashoka are mostly in Brahmi script, these inscriptions provide informations about Ashoka’s rule, administration and ‘Dhamma’. Some of the important ancient Indian inscriptions are –

• Hathigumpha inscriptions of Kharvela, another name are elephant cave inscription. This inscription is from Udya Giri near the province in Odisha which was inscribed by Kharvel, then the emperor of Kalink in India during second century BC. This inscription is engraved on the ceiling of the cave and this inscription throw a light not only political episode but also on religious cultural and social conditions of kalinka during that glorious period.

• Aihole inscriptions of Pulikeshi II are associated with the Chalukya Dynasty. It was written by Ravi kirti court point of chalukya king pulikashi second who found that mekodi Jain temple Karnataka. The inscriptions speak about the defeat of harshvardhana by pulikashi second. It also mentioned the victory of chalukya and palava.

• Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudra Gupta is also known as prayaga prashasti, it is one of the most important epigraph sources for the study of the political history of the imperial Gupta. This inscription attributed to the Gupta emperor, samudra Gupta. This inscription composed by samudra Gupta’s court boy ‘Harisena’. It suggests that he defeated several kings of North India and next to their territories to his empire.

• Mahrauli iron pillar or Garuda pillar inscription belongs to the period of Gupta’s. This inscription mentions Chandra Gupta and vikramaditya’s authority over north western India. This pillar was established by Chandra Gupta second of Gupta dynasty.

• Junagadh inscription is also known as the Girnar rock inscription of Rudra Daman. It is a Sanskrit process inscription on the rock by the western satrapa stroller Rudra Dharma first. It is located at Girnar hill near Junagadh, Gujarat. It states that Pusha Gupta one of the Chandra Gupta maurya’s governors was in charge of constructing a dam on Sudarshana Lake near Girnar.

• Uttarameruru Inscription discovered in the vailkunda perumal temple at uttara meruru. In Tamil Nadu and issued by the Chola ruler Parathaka first this inscription discovered the rural administration of the Chola kings.

 

Coins of Ancient Indian

The coins are of immense importance in information of ancient Indian history. The history of coins of India originates from the year of Indus Valley Civilization. Coins are small in shapes, they contain many important aspect. The word Coin is derived from the Latin word ‘Cuneus’, first used in China and Greek, which means “wedge”. The study of coin in history is called numismatics.

The main massage bearing side of a coin is known as the “obverse” and other side the “reverse”. In ancient times, figures of gods, rulers etc were imprinted on the coins of India. The earliest reference of coins in the Indian context can be found in the Veda. The word Nishka was used for coins made of metals.

The first coin of India was known as ‘Punch marked coins’. These coins made out of silver and copper. Symbols were stamped on these using dies because of that we know them as punch-marked coins. In the 6th century BC, various Mahajanapadas introduced first punch-marked coin, known as pana, puranas or karshapanas.

During the Mauryan period silver and copper coins with royal punch -marked motifs were used. Indo-Greeks were used round shaped coins. These coins were punched with the ruler’s name. Kushanas were used gold coins and it portrayed the deity Shiva. The Satavahanas were majorly used copper coins and it imprinted with the symbols of elephant, lions and bull etc. Gupta coins are mainly made of Gold, although they are issued silver and copper coins too. Gupta gold coins known as Dinars.

The obverse of the coins depicted the ruling king and legends, while the reverse depicted a goddess. Samudra Guptha had minted seven different types of gold coins, based on those coins, it is said that he was a lover of music and he conducted Ashwamedayaga too. With the help of coins we not only come to know about the trade and commercial activities of that time but also about the economic and technological developments of that time through the shape, material and technology involved in minting these coins.  Coins also help us to interpret about the religious ideologies of the rulers with the help of dates inscribed on them.

Coin throws light on Geographical background, Linguistic Development, Economic background, Religious significance and Socio-Political Conditions.

 

 

 

Monuments of Ancient Indian

From ancient India, Monuments reveal the rich cultural heritage and deep glorious history of our country. Monuments are one of the main components of archaeological sources. The study of these monuments throw light on the technical skill, economic conditions, living standard of people, architectural style and socio-religious and cultural life of that particular time. Palace, temple, stupas, monasteries, forts and pillars etc, are the examples of monuments. Where the magnificent monuments depict the prosper a ruler or the dynasty on the improvement of the empire.

The excavations of the cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro prove the antiquity of Indian culture and civilization. There are few temples of Indian deity in South-East Asia and Central for example Borobudur Temple in Java, Ankorwat Temple in Cambodia. There were three style of architecture in ancient India:

• Nagara style in north India

• Dravidian style in south India

• Vesara style (combination of Nagara and Dravidian style of temple architecture)

 

Sculpture of Ancient Indian

Sculpture is the important elements of ancient Indian history. Statues provide us with information about the religious conditions of that time. The first known sculpture in the ancient Indian subcontinent is from the Indus valley civilization of 2500 to 1800 BCE. These include the famous small bronze dancing girl.

There were three style of Sculpture in ancient India:

• Gandhara style

• Mathura style

• Amaravathi styles

 

 

Potteries of Ancient Indian

From ancient India, Potteries is one of the oldest human inventions. Potteries are one of the important parts of archaeological sources. It plays a very important role in studying culture and reconstructing the past. These potteries help us to know about the spread of culture and civilization. Ancient pottery throws light on various aspects of ancient culture. These potteries are available right from prehistoric period to historic period. Potteries were used for decoration, and when people died, they were cremated and their ashes were buried in pots. With the advent of agriculture, people were required to store their food grains as well as to cook etc.

In ancient India, there were different types of pottery –

• BRW (Black and red ware pottery culture)

• OCP (Ochre coloured pottery culture)

• PGW (Painted gray ware pottery culture)

• NBPW (Northern black polished ware culture)

 

 

Other Ruins of Ancient Indian

On the basis of various pieces of terracotta, bangles, beads and seals from other ruins of ancient India, we can understand the social, cultural, economic, political and religious life of the people of ancient India. Ellora cave is a fascinating ruin in India; this one is located in Maharashtra. The ancient Ellora Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several magnificent ancient temples.

You can also read :-

Ancient Indian History Revealed: Geographical Features

Ancient Indian History revealed: Insights from Written Sources