Archaeological sources: Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments

Literary sources: Indigenous: Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature, literature, literature In regional languages, religious literature.

Foreign accounts; Greek, Chinese and Arab writers.

PYQs: Sources (1985-2026)

History Optional Notes {PDF}

Complete Notes Package (Paper I & II) | 4500+ Pages | Instant Download

Discounted Price | Buy Now @ ₹1,180 →

Year	Question	Answer
2026	"Greek writers viewed India largely from a political perspective, Chinese travellers from a religious perspective, and Arab scholars from a scientific and cultural perspective." Comment.
2023	How do the comparative study of languages, archaeological sources and vast corpus of Vedic literature helps to determine the Aryan problem in Indian history. Discuss.	View answer
2022	Foreign accounts as a source of ancient Indian history may have some advantages also have a few shortcomings. Citing appropriate examples, example the statement.	View answer
2019	Do you agree that archaeological evidence often helps in better understanding of literary sources? Comment.	View answer
2018	How did the early Indian historical tradition, as reflected in Itihasa-Purana, emerge? What are the distinctive features of this genre?	View answer
2017	Art and culture are reflected to a far greater extent than political history in the epigraphic sources. Comment.	View answer
2016	"The copious references to the preservation of Varnashrama system by the kings eulogized in inscriptions are mere reflection of the Smriti tradition.” Discuss.	View answer
2015	How far can the ancient Indian Sruti literature be used as historical sources?	View answer
2014	"While using the accounts of foreign writers, historians must distinguish between statements based on hearsay and those grounded in perceptive observations.” Elaborate with examples.	View answer
2013	On the basis of contemporary sources assess the nature of banking and usuary in ancient India.	View answer
2013	Evaluate the ownership of land in ancient India on the basis of literary and epigraphic sources.	View answer
2013	Evaluate the contribution of the Puranas in disseminating secular knowledge among the masses in ancient India.	View answer
2010	What light do early inscriptions and literature throw on the status of women in politico- socio- economic spheres?	View answer
2009	In what ways are the accounts of the Graeco-Romans and the Chinese helpful in reconstructing the social history of India? How far is their information corroborated by other contemporary sources?	View answer
2007	"Reconstruction of Early Indian history is hardly possible without the help of inscriptions and coins.” Discuss.	View answer
2006	Discuss the changing approaches to the study of early Indian History.	View answer
2003	Assess the pattern of settlement, economy, social organisation and religion of India during 2000 to 500 BC from archaeological evidences.	View answer
1996	“Ancient Indians had no taste for historiography; their scholars cared more for religious, spiritual and philosophical studies.Indian historiography is essentially an Islamic heritage ” Comment upon this statement with special reference to the contemporary writers and their works which help us in the reconstruction of history of the early Medieval period of Indian history.	View answer