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## Main Sources of Indian History ### Literary Sources The indigenous literary sources can be classified as religious, secular, and scientific. In addition, the accounts of foreign travellers are very important literary sources. #### Religious Literature The ancient Indian literature was mostly...

## Main Sources of Indian History ### Literary Sources The indigenous literary sources can be classified as religious, secular, and scientific. In addition, the accounts of foreign travellers are very important literary sources. #### Religious Literature The ancient Indian literature was mostly religious in nature and was not written with the conscious aim of recording events of the past. Though it cannot be used to ascertain dates and places, it gives considerable information concerning social and religious conditions of ancient times. It can be classified into Brahmanical, Buddhist, and Jain literature. ##### Brahmanical Literature These comprise the Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads, Vedangas, Sutras, Up Vedas, six schools of Hindu philosophy, Dharmashastras, Puranas, and the two epics. ###### The Vedas: The Vedas occur in four parts - the Samhita, the Brahmana, the Aranyaka, and the Upanishad. The word "Veda" means the storehouse of knowledge. The Rig Veda is the oldest Veda. It is believed to have been compiled in each of the four parts - the Samhita, the Brahmana, the Aranyaka, and the Upanishad. It covers topics like social, economic, and philosophical matters. It is also a very important source of information regarding the Vedic period. The other three Vedas, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda, and the Atharva Veda, were compiled during the later Vedic period. They are believed to have been compiled in each of the four parts – the Samhita, the Brahmana, the Aranyaka, and the Upanishad. ###### The Brahmanas The Brahmanas are prose works called the Brahmarnava that attempt to explain the meaning of the Vedas so that the meaning is clear. They give demonstrations regarding the four Vedas. They also deal with the rituals and ceremonies of the Vedic period. The methods of performing sacrifices are also explained. ###### The Aranyakas The Aranyakas are forest books. They were studied by the people who lived in the forests. The Aranyakas are the concluding portions of the Brahmanas. They provide help and guidance to those who choose to practice mysticism and deal with mysteries and secrets.