EduAudio

The Nanda dynasty governed in northern India throughout the 4th and probably 5th centuries BCE.

In the Magadha area of eastern India, the Nandas destroyed the Shishunaga dynasty and expanded their dominion to cover a bigger section of northern India.

The names of the Nanda monarchs and the length of their reign vary greatly according to ancient accounts.

The Haryanka dynasty was the third ruling dynasty of Magadha, an empire of ancient India, which succeeded the Pradyota dynasty and Barhadratha dynasty. Initially, the capital was Rajagriha. Later, it was shifted to Pataliputra, near the present-day Patna in India during the reign of Udayin.

What we often forget in all this is that the Indian subcontinent was practicing republicanism long before the Roman republic arose. Ganarajya, in the times of yore, were ancient Indian republics.

The word Gana also means numbers and Ganarajya, therefore, means the rule of numbers or the rule of many. The Dharma Sutras and Dharma Shastras contain frequent references to Gana that seems to denote town or village corporations.

The Janapadas were the major kingdoms of Vedic India. During that period, Aryans were the most powerful tribes and were called ‘Janas’. This gave rise to the term Janapada where Jana means ‘people’ and Pada means ‘foot’.

By the 6th century BCE, there were approximately 22 different Janapadas. Socio-economic developments chiefly due to the use of iron tools in agriculture and military, along with religious and political developments led to the rise of the Mahajanapadas from small kingdoms or Janapadas.

Vedic literatures are most important sources of knowledge about Aryans and Vedic period.

The literature had grown in the course of many centuries and was handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth which also called shruti.

In our Hindu Sanatan tradition, sixteen Sanskars are performed during the life of a human being. Sanskars means Sanshodhan-Parishodhan-Parishuddhi.

Our scriptures cherish faith and belief in re-birth. Through Sanskar, Shudhi (purification) of Jeev (soul) is performed through all three types (Adhyatmik-Aadhibhautik- Aadhideivik).

Our scriptures consider the human birth as eligible for Moksha-Mukti, it can uplift itself by becoming Dosh0Mukta through Sanskar.

By performing Sanskars in every stage of human life, a Jeev can get rid of and can purify itself from all types of impurities carried with itself of all previous births and lives while passing through eighty four lakh yonis.

Sanskars has been considered as an essential rule for the human being and so it is mandatory to observe this rule.

#pilotrun

The information found in Rig-Veda Samhita throws light on nature & characteristics, the institution & practices of politico-admin life during the early Vedic age.

The Early Vedic polity was tribal in nature because Vedic Aryans were living in small tribal groups. The tribal chiefs were responsible for politico-administrative matters.

#pilotrun

The Aryans were a semi-nomadic pastoral people.

The original homeland of the Aryans is a matter of debate with different experts suggesting different regions from where they originated.

Some say they came from the area around the Caspian Sea in Central Asia.

The Vedic Age started with the Aryan occupation of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.

Meaning of the word Arya: Noble.

They spoke Sanskrit, an Indo-European language.

They led a rural, semi-nomadic life as compared to the Indus Valley people who were urbanised.

It is believed that they entered India through the Khyber Pass.

#pilotrun

In ancient times, a number of travellers from Greece, the Arab region, Western Asia, and China visited India.

These travellers left several accounts of the events they witnessed. Because these foreign travellers owed no allegiance to any of the region's kings, their accounts are neutral and give firsthand knowledge on the themes they discussed.

The invasion of Alexander offered a route to India for different Greek and Roman explorers and travellers.

#pilotrun

Even though majority of the literary works which have survived from the ancient Indian literature are religious text, it is not right to define ancient Indian literature only based on religion.

Indian literature includes everything that can be included under”literature” broadly- religious and mundane, epic and lyrics, dramatic and didactic poetry, narrative and scientific prose along with oral poetry and song.

#pilotrun