Unit 1

Introduction: General Introduction; Primitive man and his modes of exchange – barter system; Prehistoric and proto-historic polity and social organization. Ancient India – up to 600 B.C. Early India – the vedic society – the varnashramadharma – socio-political structure of the various institutions based on the four purusarthas; The structure of ancient Indian polity – Rajamandala and Cakravartins – Prajamandala; Socio-economic elements from the two great Epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata – the concept of the ideal King (Sri Rama) and the ideal state (Ramarajya) – Yudhisthira’s ramarajya; Sarasvati – Sindhu civilization and India’s trade links with other ancient civilizations; Towards chiefdoms and kingdoms – transformation of the polity: kingship – from gopati to bhupati; The mahajanapadas and the emergence of the srenis – states and cities of the Indo-Gangetic plain

Unit 2

Classical India: 600B.C. – 1200 A.D. The rise of Magadha, emergence of new religions – Buddhism and Jainism – and the resultant socio-economic impact; The emergence of the empire – the Mauryan Economy and Kautilya’s Arthasastra; of Politics and trade – the rise of the Mercantile Community; Elements from the age of the Kushanas and the Great Guptas; India’s maritime trade; Dharma at the bedrock of Indian polity – the concept of Digvijaya: dharma-vijaya, lobha-vijaya and asura-vijaya; Glimpses into the south Indian economies: political economies of the peninsula – Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and Cholas
Medieval India: 1200 A.D. – 1720 A.D. Advent of Islam – changes in the social institutions; Medieval India – agrarian economy, non-agricultural production and urban economy, currency system; Vijayanagara samrajya and maritime trade – the story of Indian supremacy in the Indian Ocean region; Aspects of Mughal administration and economy; The Maratha and other provincial economies

Unit 3

Modern India: 1720 – 1947 the Indian market and economy before the arrival of the European traders; Colonisation and British supremacy (dismantling of everything that was ‘traditional’ or ‘Indian’) – British attitude towards Indian trade, commerce and economy and the resultant ruining of Indian economy and business – man-made famines – the signs of renaissance: banking and other business undertakings by the natives (the members of the early Tagore family, the merchants of Surat and Porbander, businessmen of Bombay, etc. may be referred to here) – the evolution of the modern banking system; Glimpses into British administration of India and administrative models; The National movement and nationalist undertakings in business and industry: the Tatas and the Birlas; Modern India: the growth of large- scale industry – irrigation and railways – money and credit – foreign trade; Towards partition – birth of two new nations – division of property; The writing of the Indian Constitution – India becomes a democratic republic – a new polity is in place.
Independent India – from 1947: India since Independence – the saga of socio-political movements; Indian economy since Independence – the fiscal system – the five year plans – liberalisation – the GATT and after; Globalisation and Indian economy; Impact of science and (new/ emerging) technology on Indian economy; Histories of select Indian business houses and business entrepreneurship.

Course Objectives:

• Provide students with an overview of the historical evolution of the Indian economy and polity.
• Explore socio-economic and political structures from ancient civilizations to modern times.
• Examine major historical events and influential figures shaping India’s economic and political landscape.

Course Outcomes:
After completing this course, students should be able to
CO1: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of India’s economic and political history, covering key events and socio-economic structures.
CO2: Analyze socio-political structures in ancient India, evaluating elements in epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.
CO3: Apply knowledge to understand classical India, including the rise of Magadha, impact of Buddhism and Jainism, and socio-economic dynamics.
CO4: Showcase understanding of medieval India, covering the advent of Islam, changes in social institutions, agrarian economy, and regional economies.

CO-PO Mapping

1. Altekar, A. S. State and Government in Ancient India. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.
2. Sircar, D. C. Studies in the Political and Administrative Systems in Ancient and Medieval Times. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.
3. Dutt, R. C. The Economic History of India. London, 1902.
4. Dharampal. Collected Works (Volumes IV & V). 7. Dharampal. Archival Compilations (unpublished).
5. Bajaj, Jitendra & M. D. Srinivas. Indian Economy and Polity. Chennai: Centre for Policy Studies.
6. Bajaj, Jitendra & M. D. Srinivas. Timeless India, Resurgent India. Chennai: Centre for Policy Studies.
7. Joshi, Murli Manohar. Science, Sustainability and Indian National Resurgence. Chennai: Centre for Policy Studies, 2008.
8. Tripathi, Dwijendra. The Oxford History of Indian Business. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2004.
9. McGuire, John, et al, eds. Evolution of World Economy, Precious Metals and India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2001.
10. Tripathi, Dwijendra and Jyoti Jumani. The Concise Oxford History of Indian Business. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2007.