Subdivided into a number of groups, the literary sources further tell the tale of ancient Indian history. In the ancient period literature was not structured for the greater purpose of preserving history but it was rather a collage of experiences, medley of varied rules of worship and even much more. Most of the literature of this period was religious. The literary sources can be further sub-divided into three groups. They comprise- a) Brahmanical, b) Buddhist, c) Jain.

The huge Brahmanical literature with its sheer religiosity including the Puranic literature laced with its entire mystery, the Buddhist literature and indeed the Jain literature brings out the historical facts of ancient India.

Brahmanical Sources of ancient Indian history: Religious significance and sheer piousness once limned the history of the ancient Indians.

Puranic Sources of ancient Indian history: In retelling the stories of history the Puranic literary sources played a great role.

Buddhist literary source of ancient Indian history: Substantial from the historical point of view to understand the ancient Indian history, Buddhist literary played a great role.

Jain literature: It is also of immense value for the restructurisation of ancient history of India.