Prachin Bharater Arthanoitik Itihas

• Author: রণবীর চক্রবর্তী (Ranbir Chakraborty)
• Publisher: Ananda Publishers
• Language: Bengali
• Edition: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9788177562736 
• Pages: 320

Book Description:

প্রাচীন ভারতের অর্থনৈতিক ইতিহাসের সন্ধানে (Prachin Bharater Arthanoitik Itihas) by Ranbir Chakraborty explores the economic activities in the Indian subcontinent spanning approximately three and a half thousand years (from 2300 BCE to 1200 CE). The book offers a comprehensive outline of the evolution of an agrarian economy in ancient India, covering aspects like the variety of crops, agricultural tools, irrigation systems, landholding patterns, and the life of peasants and landlords.

The book also delves into the technical production sectors, focusing on the evolution of crafts, various professions, skill advancements, metal usage, and the characteristics of artisan organizations. A significant part of the work is dedicated to trade and commerce in ancient India, exploring the types of merchants, trading centers, goods, import-export patterns, transportation routes, currencies, and other means of exchange.

Another intriguing aspect covered is the rise of cities and urban life in ancient India, along with the process of urbanization. The author ties in the socio-political context with economic life, offering a deeper understanding of how politics and society influenced economic practices.

A key feature of this work is the presentation of the changing character of ancient India's economic history. While the common belief has been that ancient Indian society was static and unchanging, Chakraborty brings a fresh perspective by highlighting the shifts, developments, and decline in various economic sectors over time. The book identifies at least eight distinct phases in the economic life of ancient India, emphasizing the slow but eventual changes in its economic trajectory. The revised second edition includes a significant addition with the latest research and findings, along with an updated bibliography.

About the Author:

Ranbir Chakraborty was born in 1953 in Kolkata. He pursued his education at Hindu School, Sanskrit College, and the University of Calcutta in the Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture. Chakraborty has taught and researched at institutions like Visva-Bharati, Burdwan University, Kolkata University, and Miami International University. He is currently a Professor of Ancient History at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

His research interests focus on the social and economic history of ancient India, particularly the history of trade in the Indian Ocean region. Chakraborty has received various research fellowships from prestigious institutions such as London, Cambridge, Oxford, and Florida International University. He regularly participates in international conferences and has authored several books, including Warfare for Wealth: Early Indian Perspective (1986), A Sourcebook of Indian Civilization (2000), Trade in Early India (2001), and Trade and Traders in Early Indian Society (2002).