The Classical Age: The History and Culture of the Indian People Volume III

Book Details

• Author: R. C. Majumdar
• Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan
• Language: English
• Edition: 2018
• ISBN: 9788172765217
• Pages: 818 (105 B/W Illustrations)
• Cover: Hardcover
• Dimensions: 24 cm x 16.5 cm
• Weight: 1.40 kg

About the Book

This volume is part of the historic series that presents a comprehensive account of India’s political, socio-economic, and cultural history, written by Indian scholars. It specifically focuses on the period following the Gupta Empire, bringing into light the rise, decline, and fall of the Gupta dynasty, while also covering the subsequent political developments, especially in the South.

Key Themes:

1. Political Landscape:

   • Examines the Gupta Empire and its decline, then shifts focus to the Chalukyas and Pallavas in the South.
   • Highlights their significant contributions to political unity in the Deccan and South India.
   • The book reflects on the federation of the three regional units in the subcontinent and the political dynamics of the era.

2. Cultural and Religious Movements:

   • The period marked the culmination of Hinduism, with the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranic lore being central to cultural identity.
   • Special attention is given to the rise of Vaishnavism and Shaivism as dominant religious philosophies.
   • Sanskrit emerged as the lingua franca, uniting diverse regions and cultures within India.

3. Greater India:

   • The cultural and intellectual influence of India extended beyond its geographical boundaries, reaching Central and Eastern Asia, thereby establishing the concept of “Greater India.”

4. Illustrative Content:

   • Features 39 plates that depict the unique artistic achievements of the period, offering visual insights into the cultural legacy.

Contributors

This volume includes the contributions of esteemed scholars such as:

• Dr. R.C. Majumdar
• Prof. R. Sathianathaier
• Prof. K.A. Nilakanta Sastri
• Dr. M. A. Mehendale
• Dr. G.V. Devasthali
• Dr. K.R. Srinivasa Iyengar
• Prof. H.D. Velankar
• Dr. Nalinaksha Dutt
• Dr. U.N. Ghoshal
• Dr. A.D. Pusalkar
• Dr. J.N. Banerjea
• Dr. T.M.P. Mahadevan

Highlights

• Political History: Explores the significant shifts in Indian politics following the Gupta Empire, with a focus on the Chalukyas and Pallavas.
• Religious Evolution: Delves into the rise of Hindu epics and major religious movements like Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
• Cultural Unity: Demonstrates how Sanskrit served as the unifying thread across India's diverse cultures.
• Visual Representation: Includes 39 plates that showcase the artistic and cultural highlights of the period.