Maharashtra Board Class 6 History Chapter 10 Ancient India Cultural PDF Download

10. Ancient India : Cultural

10.1 Language And Literature

There was an uninterrupted literary tradition in Ancient India. This literature was produced in the Sanskrit, Ardhamagadhi, Pali and Tamil languages. It included religious literature, treatises on grammar, epics, plays, stories, etc.

Sangham Literature

'Sangham' means a gathering of learned men. The literature compiled in such gatherings is known as 'Sangham Literature'. It is the most ancient literature in Tamil. 'Silappadhikaram' and 'Manimekhalai' are two of its well-known epics. From Sangham literature, we learn about the political and social life in South India during the period.

Religious Literature

The important texts include Aagamgranth, Tipitaka and Bhagwad Gita.

The 'Jain Agamgranthas' are written in the Prakrit languages of Ardhamagadhi, Shaurseni and Maharashtri. The Agamgranthas are a collection of the teachings of Vardhaman Mahavir. Literary works like Mahapuranas, biographies, stories, etc. are available in the Apabhramsha language. Siddhasen Diwakar wrote 'Sammaisutta' a work in Prakrit, on jurisprudence. Vimalsuri has told the story of Rama in 'Paumchariya', a poetic work in Prakrit. Haribhadrasuri's 'Samaraichchakaha' and Udyotansuri's 'Kuvalayamalakaha' are well known works.

Tipitika has three pitaka's or parts. The word pitaka means a basket or collections. Here, it means a section. The Tipitaka is written in Pali. It consists of three categories of texts.

1. Sutta Pitaka: It includes the texts of Gautama Buddhas teachings or sermons. They are called suktas.

2. Vinay Pitaka: The word Vinay here means 'rules'. The Vinay Pitaka gives the rules of behaviour which bhikkhus and bhikkhunis in the Bauddha Sangha should follow in their day-to-day lives.

3. Abhidhamma Pitaka: In this, Buddhist doctrine has been explained. A text titled 'Attakatha' (Arthakatha) which explains the Tipitakas, is well-known. Learned women composed gathas (narratives) about their own experiences. They have been compiled in the 'Therigatha'. They are in the Pali language.

The 'Bhagvad Gita', which is a sacred text of the Hindus, is a part of the Mahabharata. The Bhagvad Gita tells us that each one of us should do our duty without expecting rewards. It also says that the path of devotion to God is open to all.

It is believed that most of the languages in the region from North India up to Maharashtra are derived from Prakrit and Sanskrit. The word 'prakrit' is derived from a word meaning 'natural'. The prakrit languages were languages in daily use of the people. They can be divided into four groups, namely, the Paishachi, Shauraseni, Magadhi and Maharashtri languages. Marathi developed from Maharashtri. In this process of the development of modern languages like Marathi from the prakrit languages, their original forms changed. They are called 'Apabhramsha languages'. Modern languages have developed from Apabhramsha languages.

Teacher's Note

Ancient India had many languages like Sanskrit and Pali. Just like today we speak Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, and English, old India had many languages too.

Exam Trick

Remember: Prakrit = people's language. It means the language that normal people spoke every day, not just learned people.

Points to Remember

Sangham Literature is the oldest Tamil literature written by wise men.

Tipitaka has three parts about Buddhist teachings.

Bhagvad Gita tells us to do our duty without wanting rewards.

Prakrit was the language of common people in ancient India.

Arsha And Classical Epics

'Ramayana' and 'Mahabharata' are the two 'Arsha' epics of ancient India. 'Arsha' means composed by rishis or sages. The 'Ramayana' was composed by the rishi 'Valmiki'. The main character of Ramayana is Shriram. 'Mahabharata' has been composed by the Sage Vyas. Its main theme is the war between the Kauravas and Pandavas. It also tells us about Lord Krishna's life. The Mahabharata provides a comprehensive picture of the various human sentiments and emotions and their consequences.

Sometimes, there is such a period in the history of language, literature and art, that its glory remains undiminished even later on. The art, literature, etc. produced in such a period is said to be 'classical'. 'Raghuvansha' and 'Kumarsambhava' by Kalidasa, 'Kiratarjuniya' by Bharavi and 'Shishupalvadh' by Magha are well-known compositions of the ancient period written in classical Sanskrit.

Treatises On Grammar

'Ashtadhyayi' written by the grammarian Panini is considered to be the standard work on Sanskrit grammar. Patanjali wrote 'Mahabhashya'. It explains the principles given in Panini's 'Ashtadhyayi'.

Arthashastra

This is a work by Kautilya. It consists of detailed discussions of administrative matters such as the duties of a king, criteria for selecting a minister, systems of defence, types of forts, the formation of an army, plans for espionage, organization of the treasury and other offices, judicial system, investigation of theft, types of punishment, etc.

Theatre

India has an ancient tradition of telling a story through songs, music and dance. These arts have been discussed in great detail in the 'Natyashastra' by Bharatmuni. When these arts are presented with supporting dialogues, they are known as theatre. Among the ancient Sanskrit plays, 'Swapnavasavadutta' by Bhasa, 'Abhijnanshakuntal' by Kalidasa, etc. are famous.

Narrative Literature

In the ancient times, storytelling was used to educate people through entertainment. Gunadhya's 'Bruhatkatha' written in a language called 'Paishachi' is well-known. 'Panchatantra' composed by Pandit Vishnusharma is an excellent example of narrative literature. This text has been translated into many languages. Similarly, Baudhha Jataka tales are also very well-known.

Teacher's Note

Ramayana and Mahabharata are like the famous Indian movies today. Everyone watches them and learns good lessons from them.

Exam Trick

Remember: Arsha epics = written by sages (rishis). Ramayana is about Rama, Mahabharata is about a big war and Lord Krishna.

Points to Remember

Ramayana was written by Valmiki and Mahabharata was written by Sage Vyas.

Classical literature was written in a special, perfect way.

Kalidasa wrote famous poems like Raghuvansha and Kumarsambhava.

Panchatantra stories teach lessons through animal characters.

Theatre in ancient India combined songs, music, and dance.

10.2 Life Of The People

The literature of ancient India sheds light on the way of life of the common people of the time. Those were prosperous times, due to the flourishing internal as well as foreign trade. The society was divided into different castes. There were organizations of traders as well as artisans. These organizations were called shrenis. Trade was carried out by sea as well as land routes. Indian goods like fine textiles, ivory, precious stones, spices, beautifully made earthern pottery were in great demand in foreign countries. The main crops were rice, wheat, barley and lentil (masoor). The diet of the people included food items made from these besides meat, fish, milk, ghee and fruits. The people mostly wore cotton garments, though silk and woollen garments were also worn. Their clothes resembled today's dhoti, uparane, mundase, saree, etc. The concept of stitching clothes was introduced in India during the Kushana period.

Teacher's Note

Ancient India was rich with trade. Just like today India exports software and clothes, ancient India exported spices and textiles to other countries.

Exam Trick

Remember: Shrenis = trader and artisan groups. Like today's business associations or unions that help workers.

Points to Remember

Ancient India had good business with other countries.

Shrenis were groups of traders and craftspeople.

Indian spices and textiles were wanted all over the world.

People ate rice, wheat, meat, fish, milk, and ghee.

Clothes looked like today's dhoti and saree.

10.3 Science

Medicine

Indian medical science is known as 'Ayurveda'. It has a very old tradition. It seeks to understand the symptoms of an illness, its diagnosis and treatment. Also, much thought has been given to prevention of illness. Jeevaka was a well known vaidya, at the court of King Bimbisara. The 'Charaka Samhita' contains detailed information about clinical diagnosis and pharmacy. It was written by Charak. The famous surgeon Sushruta has discussed the diagnosis of different ailments and their remedies in his treatise the 'Sushruta Samhita'. The importance of this text is that it discusses the different causes leading to injuries, fractures, their types and the various types of surgeries required for them. The text was translated into the Arabic language and was called 'Kitaab-e-susud'. Vagbhata also wrote many books on medical science. The 'Ashtang-sangraha' and 'Ashtang-hridayasamhita' are the most important of them. The Bauddha bhikkhu, Siddha Nagarjuna in his book 'Rasaratnakara' describes various chemicals and metals.

Mathematics And Astronomy

The ancient Indians had studied Mathematics and Astronomy at great depth. Indians were the first to use the numerals 1 to 9 and zero. They invented the concept of decimal system in which the value of a digit changes according to its place ekam, daham, (units, tens) etc. The scientist Aryabhata wrote the book 'Aryabhatiya', which included many formulae for mathematical operations. Aryabhata was also an astronomer. He stated that the earth revolves around the sun. Varahmihir wrote the famous text 'Panchasidhantika' in the sixth century AD. This text discusses principles of Indian astronomy along with the principles of astronomy from the Greek, Roman and Egyptian civilizations. The texts of the mathematician Brahmagupta who lived in the seventh century CE, were translated into the Arabic language.

Teacher's Note

Ayurveda is still used in India today. Many people use Ayurvedic medicine instead of modern medicine because it is natural and safe.

Exam Trick

Remember: Ayurveda = Ayur (life) + Veda (knowledge). It is the science of living a healthy life. Indians invented zero and the decimal system!

Points to Remember

Ayurveda is the old Indian science of health and medicine.

Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita are famous medical books.

Indians invented the number zero and the decimal system.

Aryabhata said the earth moves around the sun.

Indian science books were translated into Arabic language.

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