“Ancient Indian Knowledge Dissemination: Literary & Oral”

Name of the Activity: “Ancient Indian Knowledge Dissemination: Literary & Oral”

Type of Activity: Invited lecture for students

Date/ Duration of Activity (from-to): 16^th December 2024

Time: 11 am to 1 pm

Details of Resource persons: Dr. Kanad Sinha, Assistant Professor of History, Sanskrit College and University

No. of Participants: 30

Objective of the event: To inform the students about the traditions of knowledge dissemination in ancient India.

Brief description of the event: The Department of History conducted an invited lecture that was delivered by Prof. Kanad Sinha, Assistant Professor of History, Sanskrit College & University.

The speaker commenced his lecture with a discussion on the traditions of history writing in Europe as influenced by Enlightenment traditions. The students were then apprised of the criticisms which were faced by early nationalist historians when countering charges of Indians not having history. Rigorous and meticulous historical research by historians from the subcontinent led by Professor Romila Thapar illustrated the nature of historical traditions prevalent in ancient India thereby countering the charges of ahistoricism levelled at the Indians. Examples of literary and oral traditions were discussed including the katha tradition, Ashokan edicts and biographical texts of ancient India.

Outcome of the event: The event was a great success in apprising students about the nature of historical traditions and history writing.