Historical Sources of Haryana | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

The historical sources of Haryana can be categorized into three main types: literary sources, archaeological sources, and modern sources.

Literary Sources

Literary sources encompass Vedic literature, Buddhist and Jain texts, Mahabharata, and later Sanskrit literature, as well as foreign accounts.

Vedic Literature

• Essential Vedic texts like Vedas, Brahmins, Upanishads, and Aranyakas were composed in Haryana.
• The ancient rivers Saraswati and Drishadvati, along with geographical details, are mentioned in Vedic literature.
• Jemini Brahmana and Chandogya Upanishad describe the general and socio-economic life in Haryana.

Buddhist Literary Sources

• Buddhist texts such as Papanchasudani and Majjhima Nikaya provide insights into Mahatma Buddha's visits and political life in Haryana.
• The Divyavdan highlights Buddhist centers in Haryana, specifically Rohtak and Agroha.

Jain Literary Sources

• Jain texts like Parishishtaparvan and Bhadrabahu Charitra offer information on the social, religious, and cultural aspects of Haryana.
• Agroha is identified as a significant Jain center in Jaina Literature.

Mahabharata and Later Sanskrit Literature

• The Mahabharata, particularly the Aranyaka Parva, mentions crucial sites in Haryana.
• Nakula Digvijayam provides details on the political, economic, and geographical conditions of Haryana.

Foreign Accounts

• Travelogues by foreign travelers such as Arian, Fa-hien, and Hiuen-Tsang contribute detailed accounts of Haryana.

Archaeological Sources

Archaeological exploration in Haryana, initiated by Sir Alexander Cunningham, involves numerous excavations revealing important historical artifacts.

• D.D. Snooper's excavation in 1921-22 near the fort of King Karna marked the first archaeological effort in Haryana.
• Theh Polar excavation in 1933-34 yielded significant findings, including copper coins from the Southern region of the Saraswati river.
• Excavations at various sites like Amin, Pehowa, Thanesar, Sugh, Mitathal, Siswal, Daulatpur, and others, under different universities, unearthed valuable archaeological materials.

Coins

• Coins, particularly Aahat coins, Indo-Greek coins, and Kushana rulers' coins, play a crucial role in understanding Haryana's ancient history.
• Coin minting dyes from the Kushana period were found in Aurangabad and Khokhrakot.

Stamps

• Stamps found in various locations, including Agroha, reveal the administrative system of the Yaudheyan period.

Monuments

• Notable monuments in Haryana include the fort of King Karna in Thanesar, Emperor Harshavardhana's fort, and ruins of ancient Hansi.
• Ruins from the 8th to 12th century are found at temples in Rohtak, Pinjore, and Kalayat.

Statues/Sculptures

• Sculptures in Haryana, dating from 2nd century BC to the 10th-11th century, mainly focus on Vaishnavism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
• Sugh and the area around Rohtak are identified as significant centers for sculptures from the Shunga and Kushana periods.
• Medieval sculptures from Haryana belong mostly to the Pratihara and Tomar periods.