Department of Ancient Indian History Culture and Archaeology

The Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, under the Faculty of Social Sciences, was one of the first departments established in the newly formed university in 2008. Since its inception, the Department has been offering a B.A. (Hons.) programme. The M.A. degree course commenced in the academic session 2011–12, and the Ph.D. programme started from the session 2014–15. In accordance with the objectives of the University, significant emphasis is placed on tribal history, culture, art, architecture, traditions, customs, economic activities, beliefs, technologies, and resources within the course content. The continuity, relevance, and significance of tribal institutions are explored in their historical context.

Across time, climate, and natural challenges, people from all cultures have expressed their emotions, experiences, and thoughts through diverse mediums. The earliest expressions of humankind are preserved in the form of rock paintings. Rock art, a global phenomenon, is found in various regions of the world and has been produced in different historical contexts. While most ethnographically recorded rock art is associated with ritualistic practices, it is generally classified into three categories: petroglyphs (carvings into rock surfaces), pictographs (paintings on rock surfaces), and earth figures (engravings on the ground). These art forms are strongly influenced by socio-cultural conventions. Substantial evidence demonstrates the impact of Indian rock art on tribal and rural paintings in terms of both subject matter and technique. The rock art of Central India, for instance, bears a close resemblance in theme, colour, style, and technique to the drawings of tribal communities in the region. Common features in both traditions include simplicity, directness, an unbounded style of execution, limited colour use, and natural drawing materials. These shared roots are evident in the similar subject matter of both traditions. In teaching prehistoric art, comparisons are made with the styles and techniques of contemporary tribal communities, particularly in neighboring areas. The continuity of tradition over time is emphasized in the course content of the UG and PG syllabus.

Reconstructing realistic models of past cultures and their functions remains a complex task for archaeologists. However, the ethnoarchaeological approach provides a reliable methodology, as many tribal communities continue to use traditional techniques in their economic and ritualistic activities. Contemporary tribal societies are often seen as analogues of earlier stages of human culture. Drawing parallels between living and ancient societies yields valuable insights into the social organization and daily practices of the past. This discipline enhances our understanding of ancient artifacts and the people who created them—not only through the documentation of material remains but also by employing quantitative analysis, sampling strategies, and ethnographic observation. Ethnoarchaeology, therefore, provides vital insight into prehistoric and protohistoric human behavior, establishing a dynamic connection between people and their artifacts.

Although typically applied to explain pottery, stone tools, and architectural remains, ethnoarchaeology is also instrumental in reconstructing broader cultural systems. It aids in understanding manufacturing techniques and associated usage behaviours. Its application in areas such as tool-making, hunting, ceramic production, housing, agriculture, animal domestication, and fishing reveals significant aspects of patterned human behavior and material culture in Prehistoric and Protohistoric periods. Micro-level studies of tribal cultures open exciting avenues for exploring prehistoric potential within present-day communities. Such studies describe techniques of production, their functions, division of labour, social organization, and the spatial and economic aspects of distribution. On a broader scale, this approach includes social, ecological, economic, and functional perspectives. Topics related to ethnoarchaeology and tribal culture are integrated in our curriculum. 

The history of ancient Indian tribes and the physical features of aboriginal communities are also included in both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. While teaching ancient inscriptions and coins, special attention is given to references about tribal groups and communities. The roles of several tribal powers in ancient Indian political history are emphasized during the study of dynastic history. For instance, the tribal republics of Punjab—such as the Audumbara, Kuninda, and Yaudheya—had comparable administrative systems. These republics issued coins bearing the names of their presiding deities, a practice that continued into the medieval period.

Before the rise of the Magadha Empire, many tribal republics existed in Punjab. Although their independence was curtailed during imperial expansion, they revived their republican systems and resumed coin minting after the empire’s decline. In the 2nd century BCE, tribes such as the Agreya, Kshudraka, Rajanya, Sibi, Trigarta, and Yaudheya issued coins. These early republics, known as Janapadas, inscribed their names and locations in the Brahmi script on their coinage. Some also included personal names with titles like Raja or Maharaja, and others depicted their presiding deities. Most tribal republics issued copper coins, using unique weight systems and sometimes producing coins in multiple denominations. A few tribes also minted silver coins during this period.

These tribal coins offer valuable insights into the history, culture, religion, economy, polity, trade, technology, symbolism, metallurgy, and migration patterns of ancient Indian tribes. They reflect diverse aspects of tribal life and culture. Excavations have significantly enriched numismatic history and introduced new analytical techniques. Many symbols seen on ancient tribal coins are still visible among contemporary tribal communities, indicating a strong thread of cultural continuity. This thematic continuity is a key focus in the papers on Numismatics in different semesters.  A brief overview of tribal coins is also included these papers.

Apart from these we offer papers covering various aspects of India’s ancient past. We have papers on Prehistory and Human Evolution, Protohistory, Political, Religious, Socio-Economic History of Ancient India, Epigraphy and Palaeography, Numismatics, Art, Architecture, Iconography, Cultural Heritage Management, Museology, etc. Through these papers students get well versed with India’s rich ancient history, technological advancements in ancient India, social formations, civic life, subsistence and settlement patterns, expression of art, symbolic behaviour, faith, customs and traditions. These studies make students understand our past in a better way and how it can be related to our present society. Our department also has a museum comprising of archaeological objects from various cultural periods such as Prehistory stone tools and fossils of Quaternary period, ceramics of Chalcolithic period, Early Historic period, terracotta objects, beads, jewellery items, Punch Marked and other coins, metal objects, etc.

Fieldwork and practical training are integral components of the postgraduate syllabus. Students engage in fieldwork among living tribal communities to analyze unearthed artifacts and material remains. They receive thorough training in theoretical and methodological aspects, including ethnographic analogy and archaeological ethnography, to better understand ancient cultures through the lens of contemporary tribes. We conduct study tours as part of curriculum to various Heritage sites and Museums.

The Department carried out Archaeological Explorations in various parts of India, and with special emphasis on regional surveys in Central India.  The department has carried out Archaeological Excavations at the multi-cultural site of Gambhirvatola in Anuppur District of Madhya Pradesh to understand the cultural sequence of the site and of this region in general. Apart from this our experienced faculty members are involved in various archaeological investigations across different regions in India. Our faculty members specialize in various aspects of archaeology such as Prehistory and human evolution, study of early farming settlements, early Iron Age, Megalithic culture, Early Historic period, and various branches of Indological studies such as epigraphy and palaeography, numismatics, art and architecture, iconography, cultures, traditions and philosophy in ancient India. Our faculty members have been publishing a good number of scholarly articles in different academic international and national level journals. They have been presenting papers in seminars, workshops and conferences at regional, national and international levels. We have books by our faculty published by reputed publishers at National and International Level. Our faculty members have been invited as resource persons, experts, examiners, and other academic and administrative roles in various institutions, colleges and universities in India. 

Research scholars in our department are involved in various research activities. They have been carrying out regional surveys in various regions in India, covering river valleys, districts, different geological formations, etc to reveal the archaeological remains and interpret the past. A total of 14 Ph.Ds. have been completed in the department. Our research scholars have received fellowships from various organizations such as UGC, ICHR, ICSSR, etc. More than 12 students from our department have qualified UGC-NET/JRF. Our alumni have been selected for various posts through MPPSC, UPPSC, etc. They have been selected for various higher studies programmes in different Universities and Institutions.

The department has been organizing theme-based seminars, special lectures, and discussions on various aspects of Indian Archaeology and ancient history. We had organized a seminar on Land and Water Resource management in Central India in 2014, it was funded by ICSSR. In 2024, we organized Indian Art History Congress which is a prestigious annual conference dealing with varied aspects of art forms in India. It was funded by ICHR and IGNTU. We had a special lecture on Jain Art in Khajuraho by Prof. M.N.P. Tiwari. Another Lecture on Archaeological Investigations at Bandhavgarh was delivered by Dr. Shivakant Bajpai. We had a special lecture on Evolution of Microblades and Importance of Prehistoric studies by Prof. Sheila Mishra in 2022. Another Lecture was delivered by Prof. R. Korisettar on Neolithic Cultures in India. In 2025, we have organized one day National seminar on Ramayana traditions in Central India, and Virtual Seminar on Sage Agastya: The Pioneer of Ancient Wisdom and Knowledge. We had Prof. R.K. Sharma Memorial Lecture delivered by Prof. Sitaram Dubey in our department. We also had a special lecture on ‘Glimpses of Acheulian Culture in Central India’ by Prof. Sushama G. Deo. The department has been visited by various senior scholars in the field such as Prof. R.K. Sharma, Prof. V.D. Jha, Prof. V.H. Sonawane, Prof. C.S. Gupta, Prof. Ishwar Sharan, Prof. R.N.  Vishwakarma, Prof. S.K. Dwivedi, Prof. K. Krishnan, Prof. L.S. Nigam, Prof. Ajit Kumar, Prof. Preety Trivedi, Prof. A. Jamkhedkar, Prof. S.K. Sullere, Dr B.R. Mani, Prof. Nagesh Dubey, Prof. Dinesh Nandidni Parihar, Dr. Bhuvan Vikram, Dr. Sushant Kar, Dr. Manoj Kumar Kurmi, Dr. G.L. Raikwar.