Part I: Ancient India (Themes in Indian History – I)
Theme 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones – The Harappan Civilisation
- 4/8 marks: Explain the key features of the Harappan urban planning, with a focus on its drainage system and the Citadel.
- 4/8 marks: Describe the challenges historians face in deciphering the Harappan script and reconstructing the civilization’s history.
- 3 marks: Provide evidence to prove that the Harappans maintained contact with Western Asia through trade.
- 3 marks: How do archaeologists identify social and economic differences among the Harappans?.
Theme 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns (c. 600 BCE – 600 CE)
- 8 marks: Enumerate and explain the key features of Mauryan administration as described in ancient texts.
- 8 marks: How do modern historians explain the rise and development of the Magadhan power? Explain with suitable examples.
- 3 marks: What role do coins play in the reconstruction of ancient Indian history?.
- 3 marks: Explain the main features of Ashoka’s Dhamma.
Theme 3: Kinship, Caste and Class
- 8 marks: “Historians use a variety of sources to reconstruct social histories.” Substantiate this statement with reference to the Mahabharata.
- 4 marks: How was the social hierarchy during the early societies different from today? Explain the debate on varna and jati.
- 3 marks: Explain the concept of kinship and the rules of patriliny and matriliny during the period.
Theme 4 :
- Reconstruction of Buddha’s teachings: “Historians have tried to reconstruct details of the Buddha’s teachings from stories found in the Sutta Pitaka.” Based on this statement, explain how historians use textual traditions to understand religious teachings.
- Buddhist architecture at Sanchi: Describe the key architectural features of the stupa at Sanchi. What do the gateways (toranas) and railings signify?
- Jaina and Upanishadic philosophy: How were the ideas of Jaina thinkers different from the philosophies of Upanishadic thinkers, particularly concerning the concept of the soul and asceticism?
- Role of women in early Buddhism: Discuss the role and position of women within the Buddhist Sangha. How did their entry into the monastic order reflect broader societal changes?
- Symbolic representation of the Buddha: Explain why the Buddha’s presence was initially shown through symbols rather than human figures in early sculpture. Give two specific examples of these symbols and what they represented.
