Master of Arts [MA] (Ancient History) Syllabus, Course Structure and Program Schedule 2025-2026

MA Ancient History: Course Structure
The curriculum of MA Ancient History is set in such a way that enhances the knowledge of students in an analytical way and gives them field practice. Various workshops are conducted along with assignments. The course structure will make sure to increase the level of creativity, subjectivity, and practicality.

Scheme of Assessment

Institutions will evaluate a student internally and externally. Internal assessment includes class representation, workshops, and assignments. Internal assessment usually forms 40% of the total marks and the rest of the 60% marks depend upon the end semester exams. At the end of the course, students will have to submit a dissertation or a thesis.

MA Ancient History: Syllabus

The syllabus includes all the aspects that will make a person adaptable to loads of data. Some are core subjects while others are electives, one has to choose from the electives and pass with a minimum set of marks according to the University.

The subjects in the curriculum, which are common to all universities are:

Subjects	Topics Covered	Description
Outlines of Indian History	Geographical factors History of South India Arab conquest of Sindh Expansion of English Power.	This subject teaches the entire history in a crux be it geographically, rulers, the evolution of different economies and periodization of Indian History.
Studies in Indian Archaeology	Aim and function of Archaeology Relations with social sciences.	It introduces to the basics of Archaeology and provides the aims and ideas of Archaeology connecting it with natural sciences and physical sciences
Cultural Heritage	Social structure and its functions The economy of different ages Religion Literature and learning Art	It teaches about the foundation of society’s principles, women’s role and their position in society.
Epigraph and Palaeography	Scripts of Brahmi and Kharoshthi Importance of interpretation of inscriptions Junagarh inscription of Rudradaman Mehrauli Iron pillar edict of Chandra	It teaches the historical and cultural importance of various ancient inscriptions and their value, also different scripts are taught in order to understand the historical contexts of Ancient India
History of Arts and Architecture in India	Primitive Art styles Mauryan Art Yaksha Statues Amravati Sculptures Town Planning of Indus Valley	It shows how in Ancient times, Indians used to make scripture and Art forms about the Vedic paintings and pre-historic Arts.
Ancient Civilizations of India	Ancient civilizations of China Ancient civilizations of Egypt Ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia	It shows the political, social and economies of various countries.
Numismatics	Making of coins Coins of Malwas Gold coins of Kushanas Silver coins of Gupta rulers	It shows how coins were minted in the early period and what all was made on them. How different rulers used metals as coins and coins as the sources of Indian history
Indian Religions	Jainism Buddhism Islam Christianity Sikhism	It shows the origin and evolution of all the religions and how it affected the Indian Culture.
Ancient Indian Polity	Origin of State Kingship Judicial Administration Law of Property	It tells about the local governments, the spread of Kingship in India and their different laws imposed. It throws lights on Women and children rights as well along with Diplomacy.
Indian Philosophy	Scope of Philosophy Liberation and Karma Islam, Jainism teachings	It shares the aims, functions, and scope of philosophy in India, tenets and teachings of religions.
History of India up to 650 AD	The rise of Magadha up to Nandas and Mauryas Indo- Greek Nagas Early Pallavas	It tells about the sources of Ancient history from the start and introduction of Nagas, Somas.
Capitalism and Colonialism 650 AD to 1206 AD	Origin of Rajput Chandellas Pandayas Rastrakutas and Palas	It tells the position of women in that era, their education, and also discusses economies and social groups of Rajput’s, Kakatiyas
State in India	The Mauryan State Gupta Polity Administrative organization	It shows the polity of the era and formation of states. It also teaches the administration processes and their functions.
Indian Temple Architecture	Gupta Temples Chalukyan Phase Paintings of Ajanta and Bagh Dravidian Style under the Pallavas	It tells about the architecture of Indian temples of Hindus and Buddhists and style art forms of Ajanta and Bagh. It also informs about the origin of image worship in India.