Tag: apsc history notes

Burmese Invasion of Assam – (Assam of History) Late Ahom Period

Posted on by admin 
Burmese Invasion of Assam (Late Ahom Period) : Assam History Study Materials & Notes

Assam History APSC Exam Notes

Assam History - Assam Exam

Go To Assam History Notes & Study Materials Page                                                                           Go To History Notes

Burmese Invasion of Assam – Late Ahom Period History

The Burmese invasion in Assam is a significant event in Assam’s history. There were three Burmese invasions of Assam between 1817 and 1826, during which time the Kingdom of Assam came under the control of Burma from 1821 to 1825.

Main Causes of Burmese Invasion of Assam

During the 18th century, the Burmese kings started their territorial expansion on a large-scale. The Burmese king Alaungpaya invaded Manipur and Cachar,which were close to the border of Burma.

The Burmese king Bodawpaya also followed the policy of territorial expansion and steadily expanded his realm westward. The Burmese wanted to use Assam as their central military base against the Britishers. In 1784, Bodawpaya attacked and annexed the kingdom of Arakan thus extending the Burmese empire in the entire Bay of Bengal region from Margui Island to Chattagram port.

 

Frequent internal revolts and conspiracies weakened the power of the Ahom kingdom and its rulers. The Burmese King Bodawpaya offered to help Badan Chandra Borphukan in a battle at Ghiladhari 1817 to defeat Purnanada Burhagohain’s forces and defeated them. Purnananda died of grief on losing the battle. The Burmese army again defeated the Ahoms at Kathalbari and occupied Jorhat. This has strengthened Burmese hold on Assam.

The Burmese became a major political power of the North-east region. The Burmese came into direct contact with Assam. The boundary line of Burma came in a closer proximity to that of the British power, leading to several clashes in the later years.

Major consequences of Burmese Invasion of Assam
  • Downfall of Ahom empire: The path of the downfall of six hundred years old Ahom rule was set with the Burmese invasion. 
  • Ahom king became a protected king of Burma: Since the Burmese came to help the Ahom king Chandrakanta Singha,remained under the tutelage of the King of Burma. 
  • Political upheavals: The invasion of Assam by the Burmese brought about political and administrative instability in Assam. The weakening of the monarchy led King Chandrakanta Singha to flee to British territory in Bengal. A later king Purandhar Singha also had to follow suit. Thus internal conflicts weakened the military,and the high nobles and officials failed to protect the country. 
  • Affected economy and social balance: The Burmese occupied Assam had adverse effects on the economy as production declined and traders were compelled to wind up their business. Many Assamese customs, ways and beliefs affected their contact with the foreigners. The Burmese invasion created a group of nobles called Duwaniyas, who started exploiting the masses. This created a lot of social upheavals forcing people to run away from their villages into the hills and valleys. All these affected Assamese society considerably.
  • Led to the first Anglo-Burmese war: The occupation of Assam by the Burmese forces posed a threat to the British power. The Burmese had already conquered Arakan,Manipur,Cachar and the conquest of Assam made them a major political power that challenged British supremacy. British efforts to stop the Burmese from advancing further led to the first Anglo-Burmese War of 1824-1826. 
  • Treaty of Yandaboo: The Anglo-Burmese wars ended with the signing of the famous treaty of Yandaboo,whereby the Burmese were asked to vacate Assam. The treaty allowed the British to occupy Assam.
  • End of Ahom independence: The occupation of Assam by the Burmese in 1819 marked the end of Ahom independence. Initially, it was occupied by the Burmese and later by the British.

The Burmese invasion of 1819 is a turning point in the history of Assam.

Go To Assam History Notes & Study Materials Page                                                                        Go To History Notes

Ancient History of Assam e-Book PDF  | Modern History of Assam

ADRE 2023 Test Series Assamexam

Important Inscriptions of Kamarupa/Historical Assam region: Assam History Study Materials & Notes

Posted on by admin 
Important Inscriptions of Kamarupa/Historical Assam region: Assam History Study Materials & Notes

Assam History - Assam Exam

Go To Assam History Notes & Study Materials Page                                                                           Go To History Notes

Important Inscriptions of Kamarupa region of Ancient and Medieval Assam

The Kamarupa inscriptions are a number of 5th-century to early 13th-century rock, copper plate and clay seal inscriptions associated with the rulers and their subordinates of the Kamarupa region.

  • Most common language of these inscriptions is Sanskrit. But there appear systematic Prakriticisms that indicate an underlying colloquial Indo-Aryan language, called Kamarupi Prakrit.
  • The earliest of these inscriptions, the Umachal and Nagajari-Khanikargaon rock inscriptions, belong to the 5th century and written in a script which was nearly identical to the eastern variety of the Gupta script.
  • There is a steady evolution in the script over the centuries, and last of the scripts, for example the Kanai-boroxiboa inscription using Kamarupi, a proto-Assamese script. The script  continues development as the Medieval Assamese script from the 13th to the 19th century and emerges as the modern Assamese script.

 

ADRE 2023 Test Series Assamexam

  Name Kind Ruler Date Present location
1 Umachal Rock Surendravarman 5th century Nilachal Hills, Guwahati
2 Nagajari-Khanikargaon Rock – 5th century Khanikargaon, Golaghat
3 Barganga Rock Bhutivarman 6th century Barganga river, Nagaon
4 Dubi Copper plate Bhaskarvarman 7th century Dubi village, Kamrup
5 Nidhanpur Copper plate Bhaskarvarman 7th century Nidhanpur village, Sylhet, Bangladesh
6 Nalanda Clay seals Bhaskarvarman 7th century Nalanda, site-1, monastery 1
7 Sankara Narayana Image Sri Jivara 8th century Deopani, Golaghat
8 Hari-Hara Image Diglekhavarman 8th century Deopani, Golaghat
9 Tezpur Rock Harjaravarman 830 CE Tezpur
10 Hayunthal Copper plate Harjaravarman 9th century Hayunthal, Karbi Hills
11 Deopani Vishnu Image – 9th century Deopani, Golaghat
12 Tezpur Copper plate Vanamalavarmadeva 9th century Tezpur
13a Parbatiya Copper plate Vanamalavarmadeva 9th century Parbatiya village, Tezpur
13b Kaliabor Copper plate Vanamalavarmadeva 9th century Dighali village, Nagaon
14 Uttarbarbil Copper plate Balavarman III 9th century Uttarbarbil village, Karbi Hills
15 Ulubari Copper plate Balavarman III 9th century Ulubari village, Darrang
16 Nagaon Copper plate Balavarman III 9th century Sutargaon village, Nagaon
17 Bargaon Copper plate Ratnapala 1035 Naharhabi village, Tezpur
18 Suwalkuci Copper plate Ratnapala 1036 Suwalkuci village, Kamrup
19 Coratbari Copper plate Ratnapala 11th century Coratbari village, Nagaon
20 Gauhati Copper plate Indrapala 1058 Barpanara village, Kamrup
21 Guwakuci Copper plate Indrapala 1071 Guwakuci village, Nalbari
22 Gachtal Copper plate Gopalavarman 1080 Gachtal village, Nagaon
23 Subhankarapataka Copper plate Dharmapala 12th century (not known)
24 Pushpabhadra Copper plate Dharmapala 12th century Pushpabhadra river bed, North Guwahati
25 Khonamukh Copper plate Dharmapala 12th century Khonamukh village, Nagaon
26 Kamauli Copper plate Vaidyadeva 1142 Kamauli, Uttar Pradesh
27 Assam Copper plate Vallabhadeva 1185 Tezpur
28 Kanai-Boroxiboa Rock (not known) 1206 North Guwahati
29 Ambari Stone Samudrapala 12th-13th centuries Guwahati
30 Gachtal Pillar (not known) 12th-13th centuries Gachtal, Nagaon
31 Surya Image (not known) 9th century Kaki, Nagaon
32 Gauhati Copper bell Srikumara 8th century Guwahati

Go To Assam History Notes & Study Materials Page                                                                        Go To History Notes

Ancient History of Assam e-Book PDF  | Modern History of Assam

 

Important Acts during British Rule in India (1773-1858) – APSC Indian History Notes

Posted on by admin

Important Acts during British Rule in India (1773-1858)

Indian History Notes for APSC, UPSC & other Exams

Go to History Notes & Study Materials Page

 

British East India Company, established as a trading company in 1600, transformed into a ruling body in 1765. Only after the Battle of Buxar, the company got the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa regions and gradually, it started interfering in Indian affairs. The period from 1765-72 saw duality in the system of government where the Company had the authority but no responsibility. The company was collecting excessive revenue and this led to oppression of peasantry. There was rampant corruption among employees of the company. The British government decided to regulate the British East India Company with a gradual increase in laws. The company rule ended in 1858 in the aftermath of the Revolt of 1857. Since then, the British Parliament took over the responsibility of administering India.

 

Important Acts introduced by British India Govt between 1773 and 1858

Regulating Act, 1773
  • First step taken by the British government to control and regulate the affairs of East India Company. It recognized for the first time, the political and administrative functions of the company and laid the foundation of central administration in India.
  • Through this act, for the first time, the British cabinet was given the right to exercise control over Indian affairs.
  • This act permitted the company to retain its territorial possessions in India but sought to regulate the activities and functioning of the company.
  • The Act changed the post of Governor of Bengal to “Governor-General of Bengal”. Warren Hastings was made the first Governor-General of Bengal.
  • The administration in Bengal was to be carried out by the governor-general and a  Governor-Executive General’s Council consisting of 4 members was established.
  • Centralizing administration started from this act. It made the governors of Madras and Mumbai presidencies subordinate to the Governor-General of Bengal.
  • A Supreme Court of judicature was to be established in Bengal along with appellate jurisdictions where all subjects could seek redressal. It comprised one chief justice and three other judges. In 1774, the Supreme Court was created as the Apex Court in Calcutta.
  • It barred the servants of the company from engaging in private trade and accepting bribes. Court of directors of EIC were required to report on revenue, civil and military affairs in India.
Amending Act of 1781
  • The act was primarily passed to rectify the defects associated with the regulating act.
  • Jurisdiction of the Supreme court was restricted just to Calcutta.
  • Civil servants working in their official capacity, revenue collectors, judicial officers were exempted from the jurisdiction of the court.
  • Under the Regulating Act, the Governor General in Council was empowered to issue rules, ordinances and regulations but they were to be registered in the Supreme Court.
  • The key provision of this Act was to demarcate the relations between the Supreme Court and the Governor-General in Council. It was the first attempt in India towards separation of the executive from the judiciary by defining the respective areas of jurisdiction. 
Pitt’s India Act, 1784
  • It established the dual system of control by the British government and the East India Company. The Company became a subordinate department of the State and its territories in India were termed ‘British possessions’.
  • British government was given the supreme control over Company’s affairs and its administration in India
  • The Court of Directors was in charge of the company’s economic activities, while the Board of Control was in charge of the company’s political concerns.
  • A Board of Control was formed to exercise control over the Company’s civil, military and revenue affairs.
  • The council of governor-general was reduced to three members including the commander-in-chief. In 1786, Lord Cornwallis was granted the power of both the governor-general and the commander-in-chief.
  • In Madras and Bombay, Governor’s Councils were constituted.
Charter Act, 1813
  • Napoleonic wars and the miseries it caused prompted the English traders to pressurize the government to end the monopoly in trade that EIC enjoyed. This demand was particularly in view of loss of trade due to the Continental System of Napoleon Bonaparte who sought to cripple England commercially.
  • It edded Company’s Monopoly, the Company was deprived of its commercial monopoly and ‘the undoubted sovereignty of the Crown’ over the possessions of the East India Company was laid down. 
  • British merchants were allowed to trade in India under a strict licensing system under the Charter Act of 1813. But, the company was allowed to enjoy the monopoly of trade with China and trade in tea and opium.
  • The Crown’s control over British colonies in India was asserted by this Act.
  • A sum of Rs.1,00,000 annually was provided for the revival of literature, encouragement of learned Indian natives and promotion of scientific knowledge among the Indians. This was the first step towards acceptance of the principle of State responsibility for education.
  • The company’s rule was extended to another 20 years.
  • The act permitted Christian missionaries to propagate English and preach their religion.
Charter Act, 1833
  • The lease of 20 years provided to the Company (under Charter Act, 1813) for the possession of territories and the revenue collection was further extended. However, the Company’s monopoly over trade with China and in tea ended.
  • EIC’s commercial activities were ended, and it was converted into an administrative body.
  • All restrictions on European immigration and the acquisition of property in India were lifted which paved the way for the wholesale European colonisation of India.
  • The post name of Governor-General of Bengal was converted into “Governor-General of India”. He was given the power to superintend, control and direct all civil and military affairs of the Company. It deprived the governor of Bombay and Madras to make laws. All law making powers now vested with the Governor-General of India. All revenues were raised under his authority and he had complete control over the expenditure too. 
  • William Bentinck became the first Governor-General of India.
  • A Law Commission was established under this act for the consolidation and codification of Indian Laws. Lord Macaulay was the first chairman of this commission
  • Lord Macaulay was the first to be appointed as the fourth ordinary member to the Governor-General’s Council for India who was to be a legal expert in the making of laws.
Charter Act, 1853
  • The Company’s patronage over the services was dissolved and the Civil services were now thrown open to a competitive examination.
  • Local representation was introduced in the legislative wing which came to be known as the Indian Legislative Council. However, promulgation of a law required the assent of the governor-general who could veto any Bill of the legislative council.
  • It provided for the separation of executive and legislative functions of the Governor-General’s legislative Council.
  • The Act provided for the appointment of a separate governor for the Bengal Presidency.
  • The Macaulay Committee on Civil Service was appointed in 1854.
Government of India Act, 1858
  • This Act was a resultant of the 1857 Revolt, which had exposed the Company’s limitations in administering under a complex situation.
  • It ended the Company Rule. The dual system introduced by the Pitt’s India Act came to an end and India was to be governed by and in the name of the Crown through a secretary of state and a council of 15.
  • The title of Governor-general of India was replaced with the Viceroy, he was appointed directly by the British government. The first Viceroy of India was Lord Canning.

 

Lord Cornwallis (Governor-General, 1786-93) was the first to bring into existence and organise the civil services. He abolished the District Fauzdari Courts and established circuit courts at Calcutta, Dacca, Murshidabad and Patna. Under the Cornwallis Code:

  • There was a separation of revenue and justice administration.
  • European subjects were also brought under jurisdiction.
  • Government officials were answerable to the civil courts for actions done in their official capacity.
  • The principle of sovereignty of law was established.

 

William Bentinck (Governor-General, 1828-1833) abolished the four Circuit Courts and transferred their functions to the Collectors.

  • He established a Sadar Diwani Adalat and a Sadar Nizamat Adalat at Allahabad for the convenience of the people of Upper Provinces.
  • The English language replaced Persian as the official language of courts.
  • A Civil Procedure Code (1859), an Indian Penal Code (1860) and a Criminal Procedure Code (1861) were prepared as a result of the codification of laws.

 

Peasant Revolt of Rangia 1893-94 (Assam History) – APSC Exam Notes

Posted on by admin

Peasant Revolt of Rangia 1893-94 (Assam & North-East India History) – APSC, UPSC and State Exams Notes

Assam History - Assam Exam

Go To Assam History Notes & Study Materials Page                                                                              Go To History Notes

 

Peasant Revolt of Rangia 1893-94 – Modern History of Assam

  • The people of Rangia, in the district of Kamrup following the footsteps of the Phulguri peasants very soon lodged their protests, organizing Raij Mels. The cause of their protest was a hundred percent increase in the land revenue.
  • In 1892, Sir William Ward, the Chief Commissioner of Assam, augmented the rates of revenue on land in the new settlement to 70 to 80% and sometime even 100%. Despite the decreasing production rate of crops, there was no respite from the proposed rate of assessment on land. Even going ahead, Colonial apparatus forcibly realized taxes from the impoverished peasantry.
  • Seeing such deplorable and awkward position of the people, the Keyas intensified their exploitation scale. The People also fell in their trap. The people, when finally understood the motives of the Keyas, started to ventilate their grievances not only against the government but also against them which found expression with the looting of the Rangia bazaar by a crowd of 200 to 250 people, mostly of Kacharis, on 24 December, 1893.
  • In the evening of 24 December, when the Peasants returning from Belagaon mel near Rangia, they gutted down the huts at the Rangia bazaar and threatened a Keya shopkeeper that his shop would be looted on 30 December as their presence had increased the revenue burden on land.
  • On 30 December, 1893, there was a massive gathering at Rangia where about 2500 to 3000 people participated. This massive gathering held demonstration all the night and threatened destruction of the Thana, post-office and the tahsildar ‘s bungalow.

  • Threatening of destruction of thana, post-office and the tahsildar ‘s bungalow was taken seriously by the government and armed-police was summoned to stop it but failed completely.
  • On 6th January, 1893, R.B. McCabe, the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup arrived at Rangia with a Police Party under Padmaram Kachari, the daroga and arrested some persons alleged to have been implicated in the incident of 24 December, 1893. The arrests, however, did not prevent the people from further attacks. On 10 to 17 Jan, 1894, a large crowd of about three thousand gathered at near Rangia Thana. Castes and tribes coming from far-flung villages like Koch, Kalita, Saloi, Kaivarta, Namasudra, Nath, Napit, Sonari, Baishya, Bania, Bodo-Kacharis and Muslims assembled at Kadamtal Pandarthan and took decision and began to march towards Rangia. The tribal farmers along-with their counterparts in other communities took part in it. They, with cries of ‘we won’t pay at the increased rate’ started coming closer to Rangia Thana.
  • They were asked by the Deputy Commissioner to disperse but they refused his order and even dared to release forcibly of their comrades – Praneswar Goswami (Kon), Abhay Choudhury, Kirti Lahkar, Joltiram Kalita, Muktaram Bayan Kalita, Rahmat Khalipha, Parashuram Baro who were detained and locked-up at the time of submitting memorandum to Deputy Commissioner for decrease of the rate of revenue
  • Disobedience of order compelled Me Cabe to open fire on the gatherings which forced them to retreat. In response to the violent outbursts, the Colonial government effected a reign of terror.
  • Finally, notices were issued for the maintenance of peace and hannony and the leaders of the affected areas were appointed as special constables. All licensed guns in Rangia, Barama, Nalbari and Bajali tahsils were seized.
  • McCabe imposed a ban on holding any Mel All the important leaders of the revolt were soon arrested by the police and the revolt lost its edge.

ADRE 2023 Test Series Assamexam

Differences between Nagara vs Dravidian Style Temple Architecture (Art & Culture of India) – APSC Exam Notes

Posted on by admin

Differences between Nagara vs Dravidian Style Temple Architecture – Art & Culture Notes for APSC, UPSC & State Exams

 

Major differences between Nagara vs Dravidian Style Temple Architecture

Nagara Style of Temple Architecture

Dravidian Style of Temple Architecture

Temples located in Northern India are classified as Nagara Style.

Temples located in Southern India are classified as Dravidian Style 

Nagara Style has multiple Shikharas

The dravidian style has 1 single Shikhara.

In Nagara Style, there are multiple towers

In Dravidian Style, it is always a single tower.

In Nagara Style, Central Tower is Curvilinear in shape

In Dravidian Style, Central Tower is shaped like a Pyramid

In Nagara style, the most prominent element is the Shikhara

In Dravidian Style, the most prominent element is the Gopuram.

In Nagara Style, at the entrance of Sanctum Sanctorum; Ganga and Yamuna rivers are depicted in personified form

In Dravidian Style, the entrance has Dwarapalas.

In Nagara style, there is not much importance given to the temple boundaries

In this style, temple boundaries are given high importance

In Nagara style, pedestals are higher than the ground.

Pedestals are at ground level in the Dravidian Style.

In Nagara Style, deities are inside

In Dravidian Style, deities are outside.

                                                                                      

Mathura, Sarnath and Gandhara Schools (Ancient History of India) – APSC Exam Notes

Posted on by admin

Mathura, Sarnath and Gandhara Schools – APSC, UPSC and state Exam Notes

Go To History Notes

The first century CE onwards, Gandhara, Mathura in northern India and Vengi in Andhra Pradesh emerged as important centres of art production. Buddha in the symbolic form got a human form in Mathura and Gandhara. The sculptural tradition in Gandhara had the confluence of Bactria, Parthia and the local Gandhara tradition. 

The local sculptural tradition at Mathura became so strong that the tradition spread to other parts of northern India. The best example in this regard is the stupa sculptures found at Sanghol in the Punjab. The Buddha image at Mathura is modelled on the lines of earlier Yaksha images whereas in Gandhara it has Hellenistic features. Images of Vaishnava and Shaiva faiths are also found at Mathura but Buddhist images are found in large numbers. It may be noted that the images of Vishnu and Shiva are represented by their ayudhas/weapons. There is boldness in carving the large images, the volume of the images is projected out of the picture plane, the faces are round and smiling, heaviness in the sculptural volume is reduced to relaxed flesh. The garments of the body are clearly visible and they cover the left shoulder.

APSC Prelims 2020 Test Series

Images of the Buddha, Yakshas, Yakshinis, Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities and portrait statues are profusely sculpted. In the second century CE, images in Mathura get sensual, rotundity increases, they become fleshier. In the third century CE, treatment of sculptural volume changes by reducing the extreme fleshiness, movement in the posture is shown by increasing distance between the two legs as well as by using bents in the body posture. Softness in the surface continues to get refined. The trend continues in the fourth century CE but in the late fourth century CE, the massiveness and fleshiness is reduced further and the flesh becomes more tightened, the volume of the drapery also gets reduced and in the fifth and sixth centuries CE, the drapery is integrated into the sculptural mass. Transparent quality in the robes of the Buddha images is evident. In this period, two important schools of sculptures in northern India are worth noting. The traditional centre, Mathura, remained the main art production site whereas Sarnath and Kosambi also emerged as important centres of art production. 

Many Buddha images in Sarnath have plain transparent drapery covering both shoulders, and the halo around the head has very little ornamentation whereas the Mathura Buddha images continue to depict folds of the drapery in the Buddha images and the halo around the head is profusely decorated.

List of Indus Valley sites in India (Ancient History of India) – APSC Exam Notes

Posted on by admin

List of Indus Valley Civilization sites in India – APSC, UPSC and state Exam Notes

 

Go to Assam History

 

List of Indus Valley Civilization sites in India

Alamgirpur in Meerut District of Uttar Pradesh, India

Babar Kot, Saurashtra – A stone fortification wall, plant remains of millets & gram.

Balu, Haryana – Earliest evidence of garlic. Several plant remains were found here include various types of barley, wheat, rice, horse gram, green gram, various types of a pea, sesamum, melon, watermelon, grapes, dates, garlic, etc. which is comparable to a nearby IVC site Kunal, Haryana revealed remains of rice.

Banawali, Fatehabad District of Haryana – Barley, terracotta figure of plough

Baror, Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan- Human skeleton, ornaments, 5 meter long and 3 meter clay oven, a pitcher filled with 8000 pearls

APSC Prelims 2020 Test Series

Bet Dwarka in Dwarka district, Gujarat- Late Harappan seal, inscribed jar, the mould of coppersmith, a copper fishhook

Bhirrana, Fatehabad District of Haryana – Graffiti of a dancing girl on pottery, which resembles a dancing girl statue found at Mohenjo-Daro

Daimabad, Ahmadnagar District of Maharashtra – A sculpture of a bronze chariot, 45 cm long and 16 cm wide, yoked to two oxen, driven by a man 16 cm high standing in it; and three other bronze sculptures. Southernmost IVC site

Desalpur in Nakhtrana Taluka, Kutch District of Gujarat – Massive stone fortification, Harappan pottery, three script bearing seals; one of steatite, one of copper and one of terracotta.

Dholavira, Kutch District of Gujarat – Water reservoir, Dholavira Figure of chariot tied to a pair of bullocks and driven by a nude human, Water harvesting and number of reservoirs, use of rocks for constructions

Farmana, Rohtak District of Haryana – Largest burial site of IVC, with 65 burials, found in India

Gola Dhoro, kutch district of Gujarat – Production of shell bangles, semi-precious beads, etc.

Hisar mound inside Firoz Shah Palace of Hisar District, Haryana – Unexcavated site

Juni Kuran, Kutch District of Gujarat – fortified citadel, lower town, public gathering area

Jognakhera, Kurukshetra of Haryana – Copper smelting furnaces with copper slag and pot shards

Kaj, Gir Somnath District of Gujarat – Ceramic artifacts, including bowls. Ancient port.

Kanjetar, Gir Somnath District of Gujarat – Single phase Harapppan site.

Kalibangan, Hanumangarh District of Rajasthan- Baked/burnt bangles, fire altars, Shiva Lingam, small circular pits containing large urns and accompanied by pottery, bones of camel

Karanpura near Bhadra city, Hanumangarh district            of Rajasthan – Western mound called citadel           Skeleton of child, terracotta like pottery, bangles, seals similar to other Harappan sites

Khirasara, Kutch district of Gujarat – Ware House, Industrial area, gold, copper, semi-precious stone, shell objects, and weight hoards

Kerala-no-dhoro or Padri in Saurashtra, Gujarat – Salt production centre, by evaporating sea water

Kunal, Fatehabad District      in Haryana      India – Earliest Pre-Harappan site, Copper smelting.

Kuntasi in Rajkot District of Gujarat – Small port

Loteshwar in  Patan District of Gujarat – Ancient archaeological site

Lothal, Ahmedabad District of Gujarat – Bead making factory, dockyard, button seal, fire altars, painted jar, earliest cultivation of rice (1800 BC)

Manda in Jammu & Kashmir            India- northernmost Harappan site in Himalayan foothills

Malwan in Surat District, Gujarat – Southernmost Harappan site in India

Mandi, Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh

Mitathal of Bhiwani District in Haryana

Pabumath in Kutch District in Gujarat – A large building complex, unicorn seal, shell bangles, beads, copper bangles, needles, antimony rods, steatite micro beads; pottery include large and medium size jars, beaker, dishes, dish-on-stand, perforated jars etc.; fine red pottery with black painted designs etc.

Rakhigarhi in Hisar District of Haryana – Terrecotta wheels, toys, figurines, pottery. Large site, partially excavated.

Rangpur in Ahmedabad District of Gujarat – Seaport

Sanauli in Baghpat District, Uttar Pradesh – Burial site with 125 burials found

APSC Prelims 2020 Test Series

Shikarpur, Gujarat – Food habit details of Harappans

Surkotada in Kutch District of Gujarat – only site where Bones of a horse were found

Kotada, Kutch District of Gujarat – Fortification bastion few houses foundations

Nageshwar, Kutch District of Gujarat – Shell working site

Foreign travelers who visited India in Medieval Period (Medieval History of India) – APSC Exam Notes

Posted on by admin
Foreign travelers who visited India in Medieval Period – APSC, UPSC and state Exam Notes

 

Go to History Notes

The Indian Sub-continent is one of the earliest civilisations and thus attracted many travellers and scholars since ancient times.

1.Al-Biruni

  • Country: Iran
  • Period of Travel:  1017 AD
  • He travelled to the Indian subcontinent and authored a study of Indian culture Tārīkh al-Hind (History of India) after exploring the Hindu faith practiced in India.
  • Under Reign : Sultan of Muhammad of Ghazni

2. Marco Polo

  • Country: Italy
  • Period of Travel:  1288-1292 AD
  • Under Reign : Pandya Kingdom

3. Ibn-e-Batuta

  • Countr: Morocco
  • Period of Travel:  1333-1342 AD
  • Under Reign : Mohammad Bin Tughlaq

4. Nicoloi Conti

  • Country: Italy
  • Period of Travel: 1420-1422 AD
  • Under Reign : Dev Ray I (Vijay Nagar)

APSC Prelims 2020 Test Series

  1. Abdur Razzak-Ambassador
  • Country: Iran
  • Period of Travel: 1442-1443 AD
  • Under Reign : Dev Ray II (Vijay Nagar)
  1. Athnasius Niketin
  • Country: Russia
  • Period of Travel: 1470-1474 AD
  • Under Reign : Mohammad III Bahmani
  • Alberuni’s Description of India
  1. Bartholomu Diaz
  • Country: Italy
  • Period of Travel: 1503-1508 AD
  • Under Reign : Deccan
  1. Eduardo Barbosa
  • Country: Portugal
  • Period of Travel: 1516-1518 AD
  • Under Reign : Krishna Dev Ray (Vijay Nagar)
  1. Domingo’s Paes
  • Country: Portugal
  • Period of Travel: 1520-1522 AD
  • Under Reign : Krishna Dev Ray (Vijay Nagar)
  1. Nuniz
  • Country: Portugal
  • Period of Travel: 1535-1537 AD
  • Under Reign : Achyut Dev Ray (Vijay Nagar)
  1. Anthony Monserrate
  • Country: Portugal
  • Period of Travel: 1578-1582 AD
  • Under Reign : Akbar
  1. Ralph Fisch
  • Country: Britain. He was the First English traveller
  • Period of Travel: 1585-1591 AD
  • Under Reign : Akbar
  1. Ceaser Fredriseh
  • Country: Portugal
  • Period of Travel: 16th Century
  • Under Reign : Vijay Nagar
  1. John Linscoten
  • Country: Dutch
  • Period of Travel: 16th Century
  • Under Reign : Vijay Nagar
  1. Lama Taranath
  • Country: Tibet
  • Period of Travel: 16th Century
  • Under Reign : Eastern India
  1. Captain Hawkins
  • Country: England
  • Period of Travel: 1608-1613 AD
  • Under Reign :  Jahangir
  1. William Fisch
  • Country: England
  • Period of Travel: 1608-1612 AD
  • Under Reign : Jahangir
  1. John Jurdan
  • Country: Portugal
  • Period of Travel: 1608-1617 AD
  • Under Reign : Jahangir
  1. Nicholos Doughton (English Navy Officer)
  • Country: England
  • Period of Travel: 1608-1615 AD
  • Under Reign : Jahangir
  1. Nicholos Withurgton (English traveller)
  • Country: England
  • Period of Travel: 1612-1616 AD
  • Under Reign : Jahangir
  1. Thomas Coryat (English traveller)
  • Country: England
  • Period of Travel: 1612-1617 AD
  • Under Reign : Jahangir
  1. Sir Thomas Roe (English Ambassador)
  • Country: England
  • Period of Travel: 1615-1619 AD
  • Under Reign: Jahangir
  1. Pal Canning (English traveller)
  • Country: England
  • Period of Travel: 1615-1625
  • Under Reign : Jahangir
  1. Edward Terry (English Priest)
  • Country: England
  • Period of Travel: 1616-1619 AD
  • Under Reign : Jahangir
  1. Francisco Paelsert (Dutch)
  • Country: Dutch
  • Period of Travel: 1620-1627 AD
  • Under Reign : Jahangir
  1. Pietra Della Velle
  • Country: Italy
  • Period of Travel: 1622-1660 AD
  • Under Reign : Jahangir
  1. John Loyatt (Dutch)
  • Country: Dutch
  • Period of Travel: 1626-1633 AD
  • Under Reign : Shahjahan
  1. John Fryer
  • Country: England
  • Period of Travel: 1627-1681 AD
  • Under Reign : Shahjahan

APSC Prelims 2020 Test Series

  1. Peter Mundy
  • Country: Italy
  • Period of Travel: 1630-1634 AD
  • Under Reign : Shahjahan
  1. Tavernier (French Jeweller)
  • Country: France
  • Period of Travel: 1641-1687 AD
  • Under Reign : Shahjahan & Aurangzeb
  1. Manucci
  • Country: Italy
  • Period of Travel: 1656-1687 AD
  • Under Reign : Aurangzeb
  1. Bernier
  • Country: France
  • Period of Travel: 1658-1668 AD
  • Under Reign : Aurangzeb
  1. Jean Thevnot
  • Country: France
  • Period of Travel: 1666-1668 AD
  • Under Reign : Aurangzeb

Foreign Trade in Ancient India – APSC Notes

Posted on by admin

Foreign Trade in Ancient India – Indian History Notes for APSC, UPSC & other Exams

Go to History Notes & Study Materials Page

 

Foreign Trade in Ancient India

  • Although the volume of trade between India and Rome seems to have been large, it was not carried on it articles of daily use for the commerce people there was a brick commerce in luxury goods.
  • The Romans mainly imported spices for which south India was famous. They imported muslin, pearls, jewels, and precious stones from central and south India. Iron goods, especially cutlery, formed an important item of export to the Roman Empire.
  • Silk was directly sent from China to the Roman Empire through north Afghanistan at Iran. But the establishment of the Parthian rule in Iran and the neighbouring are created difficulties. Therefore silk had to be diverted to the western Indian ports through the north-west part of the subcontinent. Sometimes it also found its way from China to India via the east coast of India. From there was considerable transit trade in silk between India and the Roman empire.
  • The Romans exported to India wine, wine-amphorae and various other types of pottery. Roman writer Pliny, who wrote his account called Natural History in Latin in A.D. 77, believed that Rome was being drained of gold on account of her trade with India. Since the Westerners were very much fond of Indian pepper, it is called yavanpriyai.
  • The concept of the balance of trade may not have been known to the people. But numerous finds of Roman coins and pottery in the peninsula leave no doubt that India was a gainer in its trade with the Roman Empire.
  • The loss of Roman money was felt so much that eventually steps had to be taken Rome to ban its trade with India in pepper and steel goods.
  • Although Roman traders resided in south India, there is little evidence for Indians residing in the Roman Empire.

APSC Prelims 2020 Test Series

Black Pepper was one of the most thing thing imported by Greek traders from Ancient India. In ancient times the people in Central Asia are called as Yavanas in India. They liked the pepper and imports large amount of pepper from India so the pepper is named as Yavana-the people of foreign countries. Priya-they like pepper so it was called as Yavanapriya.

 

August Offer 1940 (Modern History of India) – APSC Notes

Posted on by admin

August Offer 1940 – Indian History Notes for APSC, UPSC & other Exams

 

Go to History Notes & Study Materials Page

 

The August Offer

During the Second World War, Lord Linlithgow had declared India to be at war with Germany without consultation. INC leaders were upset with the British government for having pulled India into a war without the consent of Indians.

France had fallen to the Axis Powers and the Allies were suffering many reverses in the war. The British government were keen to get Indian support for the war. Britain herself was in danger of being occupied by the Nazis and in this light, the INC softened its stand. It said that support for the war would be provided if power was transferred to an interim government in India. Viceroy Linlithgow made a set of proposals called the ‘August offer’ in 1940. For the first time, the right of Indians to frame their own constitution was acknowledged.

 

The terms of the August Offer
  • A representative Indian body would be framed after the war to frame a constitution for India. Dominion status was the objective for India.
  • The Viceroy’s Executive Council would be expanded right away to include for the first time more Indians than whites. However, defence, finance and home portfolios were to remain with the British.
  • An advisory war council was to be established.
  • An assurance was given to the minorities that no transfer of power would take place “to any system of government whose authority is directly denied by large and powerful elements in Indian national life.”

Linlithgow also stated that there would be no revision of the Government of India Act. He also said that before any real constitutional reform could be done, the differences between the INC and the Muslim League would have to be resolved.

 

Result of August Offer
  • INC rejected this offer at its meeting at Wardha in August 1940. It demanded complete freedom from colonial rule. Jawaharlal Nehru remarked that the dominion status concept was as dead as a doornail.
  • Muslim League also rejected the offer saying that nothing short of partitioning the country would be acceptable to them.
  • After this, Mahatma Gandhi initiated the Individual Satyagraha to affirm the right to free speech. The first three satyagrahis were Vinoba Bhave, Nehru and Brahma Datt.
  • The satyagrahis also started a march towards Delhi which was called the ‘Delhi Chalo Movement’.
  • After the failure of the August Offer, the British government sent the Cripps Mission to India in a bid to garner Indian support for the war.

 

Go to History Notes & Study Materials Page