Comprehensive History Flashcards: Ancient to Modern India

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering major milestones, figures, and literature in Indian history from the Vedic age through the Harappan civilization and the Sultanate/Mughal periods to the British Raj and Independence.

Rigveda

The oldest book of India, containing $10$ mandalas and $1028$ hymns.

Puranas

Sacred texts totaling $18$ in number, including the Vishnu Purana and Matsya Purana.

Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa

Buddhist texts originating from Ceylon.

Buddhacharita

A text written by Asvaghosa about the life of Buddha.

Rajatarangini

The only historical book of ancient India, written by the Kashmiri Brahmin Kalhana, describing the history of Kashmir.

Banabhatta

The author of the historical texts Harshacharita and Kadambari.

Harshavardhana's Plays

The three plays written by the emperor: Nagananda, Ratnavali, and Priyadarshika.

Arthashastra

A treatise on statecraft written by Kautilya, discovered in $1905\text{ AD}$.

Mahabhashya

Patanjali's commentary on Panini's Ashtadhyayi.

Indica

A book written by Megasthenes providing an account of ancient India.

Vikramankadevacharita

A text written by the Kashmiri poet Bilhana about the Kalyani Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI.

Si-Yu-Ki

A travel account written by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang).

Fo-Kuo-Ki

A travel account written by the Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien (Faxian).

Hathigumpha Inscription

An inscription providing information about Kalinga King Kharavela.

Nasik Prashasti

A eulogy composed by Satavahana queen Gautami Balashri describing Satavahana King Gautamiputra Satakarni.

Allahabad Prashasti

A eulogy authored by Harishena, the court poet of Samudragupta, describing the Gupta Emperor's achievements.

James Prinsep

The English archaeologist who first deciphered the rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka in $1837\text{ AD}$.

Mohenjo-Daro

Meaning 'Mound of the Dead', it is an ancient city site in the Larkana district of Sindh discovered by Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay.

Lothal

An ancient seaport of the Indus civilization in Gujarat with a dockyard measuring $216 \times 37\text{ meters}$.

Great Bath

A structure at Mohenjo-Daro measuring $39\text{ ft}$ long, $23\text{ ft}$ wide, and $8\text{ ft}$ deep.

Bhagadugha

The title given to the tax collector during the Later Vedic period.

Nishka and Mana

The names for currency used during the Vedic period.

Anguttara Nikaya

The Buddhist text that provides information about the Sixteen Mahajanapadas.

Kunika

The title assumed by the Haryanka dynasty king Ajatashatru.

Mahapadma Nanda

The founder of the Nanda dynasty, often called the 'First historical emperor of North India'.

Gupta Era

A chronological era introduced by Chandragupta I in $320\text{ AD}$.

Unmulya Niti

The 'Eradication Policy' adopted by Samudragupta to uproot defeated kings in North India.

Kaivarta Rebellion

An uprising during the reign of Mahipala II, led by Divya (Divvoka) and suppressed by Ramapala.

Tahqiq-i-Hind

Also known as Kitab-ul-Hind, a book written by the Arab traveler Al-Biruni.

Lakh Bakhsh

A title given to Qutbuddin Aibak, the founder of the Slave dynasty, meaning 'Giver of Lakhs'.

Sijda and Paibos

Customs introduced by Balban to show respect to the Sultan through prostration and kissing the Sultan's feet.

Sikandar Sani

A title assumed by Alauddin Khalji, meaning 'The Second Alexander'.

Diwan-i-Amir Kohi

The agricultural department established by Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

Akbar of the Sultanate Era

A title often applied to Firuz Shah Tughlaq due to his reforms and welfare activities.

Tuzuk-i-Baburi

The autobiography of Mughal Emperor Babur, written in the Turkish language.

Sher Shah's Tomb

A structure built by Sher Shah himself, located in Sasaram, Bihar.

Grand Trunk Road

Originally known as 'Sadak-e-Azam' during Sher Shah's reign.

Navaratnas

The 'Nine Gems' of Akbar's court, including Birbal, Abul Fazl, Tansen, and Todar Mal.

Battle of Haldighati

A battle fought in $1576\text{ AD}$ between the forces of Akbar (led by Man Singh) and Maharana Pratap Singh.

Job Charnock

The founder of the city of Kolkata in $1690\text{ AD}$.

Dual Government

An administrative system introduced by Lord Clive and later abolished by Warren Hastings.

Doctrine of Lapse

A policy used by the British to annex states like Satara, Nagpur, and Sambalpur.

Atmiya Sabha

An organization founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in $1815\text{ AD}$ for social and religious reform.

Bharat Pathik

The title 'Traveler of India' given to Raja Ram Mohan Roy by Rabindranath Tagore.

Damin-i-Koh

A term meaning 'Outskirts of the hills', associated with the territory of the Santhal people.

Dadabhai Naoroji

Known as the 'Grand Old Man of India' and the proponent of the 'Drain of Wealth' theory.

Anushilan Samiti

A revolutionary secret society established on March $24\text{, } 1902$, by Barrister Pramathanath Mitra.

Chauri Chaura Incident

A violent clash on February $5\text{, } 1922$, which led Gandhiji to withdraw the Non-Cooperation movement.

Rani of Jhansi Regiment

The female wing of the Azad Hind Fauj, led by Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan.

Direct Action Day

A call for struggle issued by Muhammad Ali Jinnah on August $16\text{, } 1946$.