Classical Sources of a Ancient Indian History - Informative & researched article on Classical Sources of a Ancient Indian History
  Indianetzone: Largest Free Encyclopedia of India with thousand of articles History of India


in  
Art & Culture | Entertainment | Health | Reference | Sports | Society | Travel
Forum  | Free E-magazine
History of India : Sources of History of India l Ancient History of India l Medieval History of India l Modern History of India l Indian Historical Dynasties l Indian Battles l Sepoy Mutiny 1857 l Indian Rulers l History of India l Indian Freedom Struggle l Indian Governor- Generals l British Indian Acts l Post Independence India l Iron Age in India
Home > Reference > History of India > Sources of Ancient Indian History > Classical Sources of a Ancient Indian History
Classical Sources of a Ancient Indian History
The classical foreign sources need special reference in illustrating the age-old history of the ancient Indians.

Herodotus, Skylex and Ctesias were the early Greek writers (before the invasion of Alexander) who wrote about India. Herodotus and Ctesias received their understanding about India through Persian. According to Herodotus, North-West India was 20th satrapy of the Empire of King Darius. He wrote about the political conditions of North-West of India. His legendary book "Histories" furnishes a good deal of information about India and other countries. Skylax writes about his voyage between Persian Gulf and Indus Valley. After these early Greeks, some Greek historians like Nearchos, Aristobulus. Onesicritus Clitarchus etc., had companioned Alexander to India. These writers condensed into writings the experience of the wars which Alexander had crusaded. Without these writers, Alexander`s crusade would have remained unknown to everybody. later comes the historians who arrived subsequent to Alexander`s invasion. The most authoritative among these writers was Megasthenes, an ambassador of Seleukus, in the court of Chandra Gupta. His accounts are of rich historical value, because his writings are the result of first hand experiences. Deimachus was the ambassador in the court of Bindusara and had written about India. However, according to Strabo the account of Magasthenes and Deimachus are not dependable. He writes- "Generally speaking the men who have written on the affairs of India were a-set of liars. Deimachus holds the first place in the list, Megasthenes comes next,.…No faith whatever can be placed in Deimachus and Megasthenes". Strabo seems to be partially right, because even if these writers had not fancied things intentionally, their lack of knowledge in Indian languages was a hindrance to them. Furthermore, they witnessed every thing from the point of view of the Greeks. Therefore, Dr. R.C. Majumdar is just about the opinion that their accounts should be read with vigilance and wherever feasible, should be scrutinised and confirmed. Lastly comes the later Greek and Roman writers like Strabo, Diodoras, Arrian, Pliny, Ptolemy etc. These writers were more coherent and exceedingly decisive and their accounts are of profound value for the early history of India.

(Last Updated on : 29/11/2008)
  More Articles in Sources of Ancient Indian History
 
Classification of Sources of ancient Indian history. Archaeological Sources of Ancient Indian history Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Literary Sources of Ancient Indian History Monumental Sources of Ancient Indian History Puranic Sources of ancient Indian history
Foreign Sources of Ancient Indian History Buddhist literary source for ancient Indian history Inscriptional Source of Ancient Indian History
Jain Literary source of Ancient Indian History Numismatic Source of Ancient Indian History Islamic Sources for Ancient Indian History
Classical Sources of a Ancient Indian History Historical Writings  
Recently Updated Articles in History of India
  • Mughal Architecture
    Mughal architecture is a combination of Islamic, Persian, Turkish and Indian architecture. It is a style that was developed under the Mughal dynasty in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
  •  
  • Mansabdari System in Mughal Dynasty
    Akbar introduced the Mansabdari System in the Mughal army which primarily meant the ranking of officers on decimal system.
  •  
     
  • Deccan Policy of Mughal Dynasty
    Deccan Policy of the Mughal dynasty was weak during the reign of Babur and Humayun but after the accession of Akbar on the throne, the political situation changed and the Deccan policy was a success.
  •  
  • Coins of Pandyas
    Coins of Pandyas bear the legend of different Pandya ruler in different times.
  •  
  • Art and Architecture of Mughal Empire
    Art and architecture of Mughal Art offers an aesthetic degree to all art lovers. The subtlety of the finesse and the dazzle of the aura create huge amount of interest among tourist.
  •  
    E-mail this Article | Post a Comment
    RSS Feeds
    Forum
    Forum on History of India

    Free E-magazine
    Subscribe to Free
    E-Magazine on Indian Crafts
     
     
    Classical Sources of a Ancient Indian History - Informative & researched article on Classical Sources of a Ancient Indian History
    Sitemap
    Contact Us   |   RSS Feeds
    Copyright © 2008 Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce the contents in whole or in part in any form or medium without the express written permission of Jupiter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd.