Question

What are sources of information ofthe past

Answer 1

1. There are different records of the past. For pre -historic times there are caves such as Bhimbetka as well as many types of tools have been found in different places. Many paintings have been found such as in France, Spain and India. In Harappan civilisation there are many records. Like the dancing girl in Mohenjo-Daro which shows the importance of dance and music at that times, the mother Goddess statue in Harappa is made of terracotta which wears ornaments. In Harappa the stone symbols of Lingam and yoni have been found. Architecture is a great source of information like the great bath in Harappa, the Citadel and the lower city shows the materials used and the different techniques to build. In the Mauryan period the palace at Kumrahar is a massive palace and a great masterpiece. Wood was the principal material used to build. In the time of Mauryan period there was a climax of stupas and pillars. Although stupas were a vedic tradition, they were popularized by Buddhists. In the time of Ashoka around 84000 stupas were erected. Pillars were also erected during the period. In the time of Mauryan period North Black Polished Ware (NBPW) pots were used. Sculptures were made such as Yaksha and Yakshi. Caves were made called Viharas which were residence of Buddhists. All these things shed light and tell about the Mauryan period. In the post- Mauryan period caves were of two types. They were Viharas and Chaityas. Chaityas were prayer halls. Apart from architecture, sculpture and art are also an important source of the past. At that time, three schools of art emerged. These are Gandhara school, Mathura school and Amravati school of art. There are written sources as well. They are manuscripts and inscriptions. Manuscripts are written on palm leaves and other. Many manuscripts are in temples. Many of them have been destroyed but still there are many left. Inscriptions are written on hard surfaces such as stone. The advantage of inscription is that it survives for a long time and the disadvantage is that it is very difficult to write. Inscriptions were usually made by the emperor's in memory of victories. India and Arthashastra were written sources in Mauryan periods. Vedas and Upanishads were also written sources in the vedic period. In the medieval period there are many sources of architecture and art. During the Delhi sultanate period the major type of paintings were miniatures. They gave preference to illustrated manuscripts and one of the finest examples from this period is the Nimatnama (a book on cookery) during the reign of Nasir Shah who ruled over Mandu. This manuscript shows the synthesis of indigenous and Persian styles.The paintings made in the Mughal period had a distinctive style as they were drawing from Persian antecedents. There was a change in colour palette,themes and forms. The miniatures in the Mughal period were scenes of huntings, historical events and other court related paintings. Babur was busy in fighting and didn't have time to commission paintings but he is said to have patronised the Persian artist Bihzad. Humayan was a patron of art and as well as Akbar. During the reign of Jahangir art reached at its climax. Art was a great source of the medieval period. Architecture also played a prominent role in this period. Qutub Minar was a tower which was build by Qutin-u-Aibak and completed by Iltutmish. Babur during the mughal reign built many orchards. Humayun built some forts in Delhi, Agra and Lahore. Akbar constructed the Fatehpur Sikri and the Buland Darwaza.Jahangir mostly focused on art but also constructed some mosques and towers. During Shah Jahan architecture reached its climax. Taj Mahal, Moti mahal, the fort of Agra were constructed. Aurangzeb didn't focus on architecture. But still he built some mosques like Alamgir mosque. These are great sources of the medieval period. In the modern period the main sources are archives. There are different categories of archives 1.) central government archives 2.) state government archives 3.)records of intermediate and subordinate authorities and 4.) judicial records.