The beginnings of Indian civilisation 3600-IN-PCI-OG

The course examines the historical development of South Asia from the earliest periods to the turn of the 1st and 2nd millennia AD, with particular emphasis on the transformation of systems of governance in the context of the region’s political, social, and environmental conditions.

The course will discuss the major stages in the formation of Indian civilisation:
– the Indus Valley Civilisation,
– the Aryan expansion and the emerging social ideal,
– the process of urbanisation and the rise of the first states, including Magadha,
– the development and administration of the Maurya Empire, and Aśoka’s ideology,
– the period between the Mauryas and the Guptas,
– northern India under the Guptas,
– southern India.

A central component of the course is the analysis of primary sources, both textual and archaeological. Students will work with, and critically interpret, materials such as:
Aśokan edicts (selected passages) — as evidence of imperial ideology and political communication;

The aim of the course is to illuminate how complex political, cultural, and religious processes contributed to the emergence of the core patterns of Indian civilisation, many of which continued to shape South Asian history in later centuries.

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Course coordinators

Justyna Wiśniewska-Singh

Learning outcomes

K_W04

has basic knowledge in the range of theory of humanities (literary studies or linguistics or history) necessary to understand chosen cultural aspects

K_W06

has detailed and organized knowledge of history of South Asia

K_W08

has detailed and organized knowledge of art and aesthetics in South Asia

K_W09

has detailed and organized knowledge of socio-cultural issues in South Asia within the scope of natural environment and ethnic, demographic and political situation

K_W11

has organized knowledge of natural, geopolitical and economic environment and their importance for the historical and contemporary situation of South Asia

K_W14

is aware of the linguistic variety and its influence on the cultural and political situation of the world

K_U02

can indicate sources of cultural differences between the countries of South Asia

K_K01

understands the need to learn all one’s life

K_K05

has awareness of the cultural distinctness and its religious, philosophical, traditional and historical roots and its significance for understanding modern world

Assessment criteria

– attendance control
final written test

Bibliography

Hermann Kulke, Dietmar Rothermund, A History of India, 6th ed., Routledge, London–New York 2016.
Jan Kieniewicz, Historia Indii, 3rd ed., Ossolineum, Warsaw 2003.
Supplementary:
Jan Kieniewicz, “Indie” (Chapter VI), in: Encyklopedia Historyczna Świata, vol. III: Starożytność, part 2, Opres, Kraków 2000; additionally: selected entries, timeline of events, and list of rulers – India.
Upinder Singh, A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century, Delhi 2009.

Term 2025L:

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3600-IN-PCI-OG in USOSweb