COURSE DESCRIPTION In this course we will investigate the rich history of ancient India, from the Indus Civilization in 3 rd millennium BCE to the Gupta Dynasty in 4 th-6 th century CE. We will reflect critically on the evidence that scholars use to study the ancient past (e.g. ancient texts, inscriptions, coins, and the archaeological record) and the ways in which they interpret this evidence. We will also analyze and compare the different methods and frameworks used by scholars across multiple disciplines (e.g. archaeology, art history, philology). You will have the opportunity to engage with different primary source materials in class and will demonstrate your understanding of different historical methods and frameworks in the writing of a final research paper. We will also discuss the stakes of ancient Indian history as it relates to the present, including current academic debates and the role of history in the construction of modern political and cultural identities. COURSE OBJECTIVES This course aims to provide students with a detailed overview of the ancient history of India, and the ways in which this history is (re)constructed through different perspectives and the analysis of different sources. By the end of this course students will be able to: 1. Identify and describe the chronological periods and cultures of ancient Indian history. 2. Describe different conceptual and analytical frameworks for analyzing ancient history.
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