Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 14. Early Medieval India, 750-1200
Question 4
Evaluate Rajtarangini as a source of history. [2012, 10m]
#EarlyMedieval #Literature #Kashmir #Historiography #Sources #AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional
Paper I: 14. Early Medieval India, 750-1200
Question 4
Evaluate Rajtarangini as a source of history. [2012, 10m]
#EarlyMedieval #Literature #Kashmir #Historiography #Sources #AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional
August 6, 2022
Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 14. Early Medieval India, 750-1200
Pointers for Answer 4
Comment - In this answer, do not focus much on the content of Rajtarangini. What it tells about Kashmir is less relevant. What is more important is the approach of Kalhana to history writing. Assessment of his idea of history and also the sources he assessed and utilized, the way he provided information, all these are more relevant to this answer.
———————————————
Rajatarangini Basic Facts
Chronicle of Kashmir region, written in Sanskrit
Consists of eight books/tarangas composed in verse
First three tarangas deal with the history of the region till the 7th century CE
Tarangas 4 to 6 carry the story forward till the 11th century
Last two tarangas (which are also the longest) deal with the 12th century
———————————————
Rajtarangini = Only one History book from ancient India?
• Since the time of William Jones, it has been repeatedly said that there was only one text from early India that could be regarded as historical writing: the Rajatarangini, a history of Kashmir written by Kalhan in 1148. Kalhan describes it as a kavya.
———————————————
Kalhana is aware of representing the past “as it was”, as itihasa.
• Unlike many other chronicles, Kalhana takes care to mention the sources that he has consulted. The work shows a familiarity not only with the Epics and Puranas, but with more historically-oriented writing, such as the historical biographies written by Bana, by Bilhana, an important local Purana (Nilamata Purana), and Ksemendra’s Nrpavali. Various local inscriptions, coin legends were consulted, and oral tradition preserved in popular legends were also utilized.
• Kalhana was familiar with court circles (his father Champaka was the minister in the court of the earlier king), even if not serving at the court himself. This distancing probably enabled him to make independent judgements on various rulers. Kalhana was not writing to pamper any particular patron.
• He is also concerned with understanding the inexplicable behaviour of kings just prior to the current dynasty. Hence, his criticism of the actions of kings who were his close contemporaries. His narrative is peppered with severe judgements on various groups who exploited Kashmir.
• The text narrates the history of Kashmir and incorporates into the narration legends, chronology based on written records, and details of events closer to the author’s time which are more authentic. He claims that he is correcting the chronology of his predecessors and giving a connected account of the past by partly filling in gaps and removing fictitious genealogies.
———————————————
#EarlyMedieval #Literature #Kashmir #Historiography #Sources #AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional
Paper I: 14. Early Medieval India, 750-1200
Pointers for Answer 4
Comment - In this answer, do not focus much on the content of Rajtarangini. What it tells about Kashmir is less relevant. What is more important is the approach of Kalhana to history writing. Assessment of his idea of history and also the sources he assessed and utilized, the way he provided information, all these are more relevant to this answer.
———————————————
Rajatarangini Basic Facts
Chronicle of Kashmir region, written in Sanskrit
Consists of eight books/tarangas composed in verse
First three tarangas deal with the history of the region till the 7th century CE
Tarangas 4 to 6 carry the story forward till the 11th century
Last two tarangas (which are also the longest) deal with the 12th century
———————————————
Rajtarangini = Only one History book from ancient India?
• Since the time of William Jones, it has been repeatedly said that there was only one text from early India that could be regarded as historical writing: the Rajatarangini, a history of Kashmir written by Kalhan in 1148. Kalhan describes it as a kavya.
———————————————
Kalhana is aware of representing the past “as it was”, as itihasa.
• Unlike many other chronicles, Kalhana takes care to mention the sources that he has consulted. The work shows a familiarity not only with the Epics and Puranas, but with more historically-oriented writing, such as the historical biographies written by Bana, by Bilhana, an important local Purana (Nilamata Purana), and Ksemendra’s Nrpavali. Various local inscriptions, coin legends were consulted, and oral tradition preserved in popular legends were also utilized.
• Kalhana was familiar with court circles (his father Champaka was the minister in the court of the earlier king), even if not serving at the court himself. This distancing probably enabled him to make independent judgements on various rulers. Kalhana was not writing to pamper any particular patron.
• He is also concerned with understanding the inexplicable behaviour of kings just prior to the current dynasty. Hence, his criticism of the actions of kings who were his close contemporaries. His narrative is peppered with severe judgements on various groups who exploited Kashmir.
• The text narrates the history of Kashmir and incorporates into the narration legends, chronology based on written records, and details of events closer to the author’s time which are more authentic. He claims that he is correcting the chronology of his predecessors and giving a connected account of the past by partly filling in gaps and removing fictitious genealogies.
———————————————
#EarlyMedieval #Literature #Kashmir #Historiography #Sources #AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional
August 10, 2022
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/explained-manusmriti-ancient-sanskrit-text-controversy-8111255
Manusmriti text helps us understand socisty, economy and also polity in post Mauryan era. It's a normative text.
#literature
@nikhilhistoryoptional
Manusmriti text helps us understand socisty, economy and also polity in post Mauryan era. It's a normative text.
#literature
@nikhilhistoryoptional
The Indian Express
Explained: What is the Manusmriti, the ancient Sanskrit text recently under controversy?
The Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, recently criticised the Manusmriti, the ancient Sanskrit text, over its gender bias.
August 25, 2022
Forwarded from Nikhil Sheth - History and Culture
Mention of Diwali in Al Beruni's Kitab up Hind.
#traveller #literature #earlymedieval
@nikhilhistoryculture
#traveller #literature #earlymedieval
@nikhilhistoryculture
November 7, 2022