Village and Village Life in Ancient India

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In this work, an attempt has been made to present in a concise form the various and variegated facets of village and village life in northern India from c. 6the century BC, a great landmark in Indian history in several fields, to c. 1st century AD, by linking together pieces of evidence culled from literary and archaeological sources.

The first chapter deals with time frame, area of study and sources and their relative merit for historical reconstruction. The next two chapters discuss the form and character of villages and their position vis-à-vis towns and cities. The fourth chapter discusses socio-economic stratification, and the fifth, sixth and seventh chapters, aspects of social, economic and religious life, respectively. Administration and taxation forms the subject of the eighth chapter. The follow two appendices dealing with ownership of land, and grant of agricultural land and villages, respectively, a Bibliography and an Index. Forth-five line-drawings and twelve photographs have been added which throw light on various aspects of the life of the village folk.

Similarities and diversities between villages and towns have been highlighted, and an attempt has been made to distinguish between ideal and real, common and rare, and change and continuity.

About the Author:

Professor Kiran Kumar Thaplyal (b. 1936), after obtaining first class first Masters degree in Ancient Indian History and Archaeology (1957) from Lucknow University, served the Archaeological Survey of India for about three years (1957-60) where he was in charge of archaeological antiquities and participated in archaeological excavations at Lothal, Alamgirpur, Gilund and Ujjain. Thereafter, in 1960, he joined Lucknow University as Lecturer and taught there till his superannuation in 1996 as Professor and Head of the Department of Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, and Dean, Faculty of Arts.

He was Fellow of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, (1991-93). He is a recipient of the 'Brahmi' award (one lakh rupees and a citation) for his contribution to various fields of Indology.

The nine books authored by Professor Thaplyal include Studies in Ancient Indian Seals (Ph.D. dissertation), Inscriptions of the Maukharis, Later Guptas, Pushpabhutis and Yasovarman of Kanauj, Sindhu Sabhyata, Jaina Paintings, Guilds in Ancient India and Coins of Ancient India. He has published a number of papers and edited Select Battles in Indian History in two volumes.

Roman Equivalents of Nagari Letters

1. Introduction

2. The Village

3. Village, Town and City

4. Socio-Economic Stratification

5. Aspects of Social Life

6. Village Economy

7. Religious Ideas and Beliefs

8. Administration and Taxation

Appendix II: Grant of Land and Villages

Notes and References

Bibliography

Index

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