How VK Agnihotri's Book on Indian History and Culture Can Enhance Your Knowledge and Skills - Free PDF Download
Indian History and Culture by VK Agnihotri PDF Free
If you are looking for a comprehensive, reliable, and engaging book on Indian history and culture, you should check out Indian History and Culture by VK Agnihotri. This book is written by a renowned historian and former secretary-general of the Indian Council of Historical Research. It covers the entire span of Indian history from prehistoric times to 1947, as well as the salient aspects of Indian culture, such as religion, art, architecture, literature, science, philosophy, etc. In this article, you will learn why you should read this book, how to download it for free, what you will learn from it, and how to use it for your studies or research.
indian history and culture by vk agnihotri pdf free
Why You Should Read This Book
There are many reasons why you should read this book if you are interested in Indian history and culture. Here are some of them:
This book is comprehensive. It covers all the major periods, events, personalities, movements, dynasties, kingdoms, regions, etc. that shaped Indian history and culture. It also provides a balanced perspective on different aspects of Indian society, such as politics, economy, society, religion, etc.
This book is reliable. It is based on the latest research and evidence from various sources, such as archaeological, literary, epigraphic, numismatic, etc. It also follows the scientific method of historical inquiry and avoids bias and prejudice.
This book is engaging. It is written in a simple and lucid language that is easy to understand and follow. It also uses maps, charts, tables, illustrations, photographs, etc. to enhance the visual appeal and clarity of the book. It also includes questions, exercises, summaries, glossaries, etc. to help the readers test their knowledge and understanding of the book.
How to Download the Book for Free
If you want to download the PDF version of this book for free, you can follow these steps:
Go to PDF Drive, a free online library that offers millions of books in PDF format.
Type Indian History and Culture by VK Agnihotri in the search box and click on the search button.
You will see a list of results that match your query. Choose the one that has the correct title, author, and cover image.
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Alternative Formats and Editions
If you prefer to read this book in other formats or editions, you have some options as well:
You can buy the paperback or hardcover edition of this book from Amazon India or other online or offline bookstores. The price may vary depending on the seller and availability.
You can also access this book online from JSTOR, a digital library that provides access to academic journals, books, and primary sources. You will need to create an account and subscribe to a plan to access this book.
You can also borrow this book from your local library or request an interlibrary loan if your library does not have it. You will need to check the availability and policies of your library before doing so.
What You Will Learn from This Book
This book will teach you a lot about Indian history and culture. Here are some of the main topics and themes that you will learn from this book:
Ancient India
This section covers the history and culture of India from prehistoric times to 1200 CE. You will learn about:
The Indus Valley Civilization
This was the first urban civilization in India that flourished from 2500 to 1900 BCE. You will learn about its characteristics and achievements, such as:
The urban planning and architecture of its cities, such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
The trade and commerce with other civilizations, such as Mesopotamia and Egypt.
The religion and culture of its people, such as their worship of animals, trees, and water.
The script and language of its seals, which are still undeciphered.
The decline and disappearance of its civilization due to various factors, such as climate change, invasion, etc.
The Vedic Period
This was the period when the Indo-Aryan people migrated to India and composed the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. You will learn about its origins and development, such as:
The migration and settlement of the Indo-Aryans in India from 1500 to 600 BCE.
The composition and transmission of the Vedas, which consist of four collections of hymns, rituals, philosophy, etc.
The social structure and organization of the Indo-Aryans, such as their division into four varnas or classes.
The religious beliefs and practices of the Indo-Aryans, such as their worship of nature gods, fire sacrifices, etc.
The cultural achievements and contributions of the Indo-Aryans, such as their poetry, grammar, astronomy, etc.
The Mauryan Empire
BCE. You will learn about its rise and fall, such as:
The conquest and administration of Chandragupta Maurya, who unified most of India under his rule with the help of his advisor Kautilya.
The expansion and edicts of Ashoka, who embraced Buddhism after the bloody Kalinga war and spread his message of peace and dharma across his empire and beyond.
The art and architecture of the Mauryan period, such as the pillars, stupas, rock-cut caves, etc. that reflect the influence of Persian and Greek styles.
The decline and disintegration of the Mauryan empire after Ashoka's death due to various factors, such as weak successors, foreign invasions, etc.
The Gupta Empire
This was the golden age of Indian art, literature, science, and mathematics that lasted from 320 to 550 CE. You will learn about its glory and legacy, such as:
The foundation and consolidation of the Gupta empire by Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II, who extended their rule over most of northern and central India.
The patronage and promotion of culture by the Gupta rulers and their courtiers, who supported various forms of art, literature, music, drama, etc.
The achievements and innovations of the Gupta period in various fields of knowledge, such as astronomy, medicine, metallurgy, algebra, geometry, etc.
The decline and collapse of the Gupta empire due to various factors, such as internal conflicts, foreign invasions, etc.
Medieval India
This section covers the history and culture of India from 1200 to 1750 CE. You will learn about:
The Delhi Sultanate
This was the establishment and expansion of Islamic rule in India by various dynasties that ruled from Delhi from 1206 to 1526 CE. You will learn about its features and impacts, such as:
The invasion and conquest of India by the Turkish and Afghan invaders, such as Muhammad Ghori, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, etc.
The administration and consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate by various dynasties, such as the Slave dynasty, the Khilji dynasty, the Tughlaq dynasty, etc.
The challenges and resistance faced by the Delhi Sultanate from various sources, such as the Mongols, the Rajputs, the Vijayanagara empire, etc.
The culture and society of the Delhi Sultanate period, such as the introduction and spread of Islam, Persian language and literature, Sufism, etc.
The Mughal Empire
This was the peak and decline of the largest and most prosperous empire in India that was founded by Babur in 1526 CE and ended by Aurangzeb in 1707 CE. You will learn about its achievements and failures, such as:
Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb, etc. who extended their rule over most of India and parts of Central Asia.
The patronage and development of culture by the Mughal emperors and their nobles, who supported various forms of art, architecture, literature, music, painting, etc.
The achievements and contributions of the Mughal period in various fields of knowledge, such as history, geography, law, medicine, botany, etc.
The decline and downfall of the Mughal empire due to various factors, such as religious intolerance, corruption, rebellion, invasion, etc.
The Bhakti Movement
This was a religious and social reform movement that promoted devotion and equality among all people regardless of caste, creed, or gender. You will learn about its origins and spread, such as:
The emergence and evolution of the Bhakti movement from the 8th to the 18th century CE in different regions of India.
The teachings and practices of the Bhakti saints and poets, such as Ramanuja, Basavanna, Kabir, Mirabai, Tulsidas, etc. who advocated love and devotion to God as the supreme goal of life.
The impact and influence of the Bhakti movement on Indian society and culture, such as the challenge to Brahmanical orthodoxy and ritualism, the promotion of vernacular languages and literature, the empowerment of women and lower castes, etc.
The Regional Kingdoms
This was the diversity and richness of the various states and cultures that flourished in different parts of India during the medieval period. You will learn about some of them, such as:
The Vijayanagara empire in south India that was founded by Harihara and Bukka in 1336 CE and reached its zenith under Krishnadevaraya in 1509 CE. It was known for its resistance to Islamic invasions, its patronage of art and literature, its trade and commerce with foreign countries, etc.
its promotion of Persian culture and literature, its contribution to architecture and music, etc.
The Maratha confederacy in western India that was founded by Shivaji in 1674 CE and expanded by his successors until 1818 CE. It was known for its resistance to Mughal and British rule, its administration and military organization, its support of Hindu culture and religion, etc.
The Sikh empire in northwestern India that was founded by Ranjit Singh in 1799 CE and annexed by the British in 1849 CE. It was known for its unification of the Sikh community, its secular and tolerant policies, its modernization and reforms, etc.
Modern India
This section covers the history and culture of India from 1750 to 1947 CE. You will learn about:
The British Raj
This was the colonization and exploitation of India by the British East India Company and the Crown from 1757 to 1947 CE. You will learn about its causes and effects, such as:
The establishment and expansion of the British rule in India through wars, treaties, alliances, etc. with various Indian rulers and states.
The administration and policies of the British Raj in India, such as the revenue system, the judicial system, the education system, etc.
The economic and social impact of the British Raj on India, such as the drain of wealth, the famines, the deindustrialization, the social reforms, etc.
The cultural and intellectual interaction between the British and Indians, such as the Orientalism, the Indology, the Indian Renaissance, etc.
The Indian National Movement
This was the struggle and resistance for independence and democracy in India from 1857 to 1947 CE. You will learn about its phases and leaders, such as:
The revolt of 1857, which was the first war of independence against the British rule by various sections of Indian society.
which was led by leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, etc. who demanded constitutional reforms and self-government through petitions and resolutions.
The extremist phase of the Indian National Congress from 1905 to 1916, which was led by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, etc. who advocated swaraj or self-rule through boycotts and protests.
The Gandhian phase of the Indian National Congress from 1917 to 1947, which was led by Mahatma Gandhi and his followers, who used non-violence and civil disobedience as their weapons against the British rule.
The revolutionary phase of the Indian National Movement from 1905 to 1947, which was led by various groups and individuals, who used violence and armed struggle as their means to overthrow the British rule.
The Partition of India
This was the causes and consequences of the division of India into two nations, India and Pakistan, in 1947 CE. You will learn about its factors and outcomes, such as:
The demand and growth of the Muslim League and its leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who advocated the two-nation theory and the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of India.
The failure and breakdown of the negotiations and compromises between the Congress and the Muslim League, as well as between the British and the Indians, to find a solution to the communal problem.