1.What are the sources to know the history of ancient India?
        There are several sources to know the history of ancient India. These are Archeological and literary sources.
Literary sources: Written sources or literary sources of Indian and foreign origin are very important to know the Indian history.
Archaeological sources: The sources which contribute to the study of history of mankind are archaeological sources. There are 4 kinds. Monuments, inscriptions, coins and material remains. Sculptures, slackened houses, house hold articles are the main sources of pre-historic age. 
 
2.  What are the religious literary sources of Indian history?
         Vedas and Jain and Buddhist religious books are very important sources of Indian history. There are 4 Vedas. 1. Rigveda, 2. Yajurveda, 3. Samaveda and 4. Atharva Veda.  Ramayana and Mahabharata are two Indian epics.

3. How do the religious sources help in the study of Indian history?
         From Rigveda we could know the political, social, economic and religious aspects of the people of that time. Yajur, Sama, Atharva Vedas tell us about later developments of civilization. Ramayana and Mahabharata are epics. Livelihood, state system, social and economic situations etc were picturised in Ramayana, and in Mahabharata political system was explained. 
 
4. Mention some non- religious literary sources of Indian history?
         Arthashastra written by Kautilya, Patanjali’s Mahabashyam , Kalhana’s Rajatharangini, Hala’s Gathasapthashathi , Pampa’s Vikramarjuna  ,Shilppadikaram and Manimekala were some of the most important  non- religious literary sources of Indian history.

5. Which are the important  Sanskrit books which give us information about Indian history?
   Arthashastra written by Kautilya contains  state administrative principles. Panini’s Ashtadhyayi, Patanjali’s Mahabashyam etc are most important to history. Kalhana’s Rajatharangini is the first historical book in Sanskrit language. Amarasimha’s Amarakosham is the first dictionary in Sanskrit language.
 
6. What is the importance of  Prakrit books Indian history?
      Jains and Buddhists wrote their religious books in Prakrit, the spoken language of people for easy understanding. The sacred books of Jain are called Angas where as Buddhist books are called Tripitakas. Hala’s Gathasapthashathi, Gurady’s Brihathkatha Manjari are other important books in Prakrit language.
 
7. What is the importance of  Dravidian languages?
           Dravidian language has the oldest literature. Shilppadikaram and Manimekala which belong to Sangama Era tell us the religious aspects and foreign trade of that period. Kannada text Kavirajamargam written by Nrupathunga, Pampa’s Vikramarjuna Vijayam etc are very useful in knowing the history and culture of  Deccan.
 
8. How do the writings of  foreigners help the study of Indian history?
         India’s wealth and spiritual thoughts attracted several foreign travelers and traders. They wrote in their books of the things what they have seen and heard in India. Greeks, Arabs, Chinese and Europeans were among them. Megasthenes mentioned about the Mauryan period. From the books of Chinese travelers Hieun-Tsiang, Itsing and  Fahien we knew the social and religious conditions of the Gupta period. Hieun-Tsang visited India during Harshavardhana’s period and praised  Harsha and his contemporaries in his book Si-yu-ki. Itsing described the socio-economic aspects and Buddhist institutions in our country. Al-masudi, an Arab traveler, mentioned about the livelihood of Kanouj people under Mihirabhoja’s rule.
    Al-Beruni, a court scholar of Gajini Mohammed, wrote Kitab-ul-hind. Jiya uddin Baruni wrote “Thariki Firojshahi” ,a book about the rule of Ferojshah Thuglak who patronized him. Aamir Khusro wrote ‘Thuglak nama’. Nikolokanti-Abdul Razak,Domingopaes and Feronuniz wrote about the history of Vijayanagara rulers.
 
9. What are the Archaeological sources of Indian History?
        The sources which contribute to the study of history of mankind is archaeological sources. There are 4 kinds. Monuments, inscriptions, coins and material remains. Sculptures, slackened houses, house hold articles are the main sources of pre-historic age.From the  Archaeological excavations we can have  knowledge regarding the ancient Indian architecture, sculptural skills, idols made of stone and metal etc. They are  great evidences of the contemporary Indian culture and skills of the people in that period.

10. Which are the important  Archaeological sites?
         Archaeologists excavated the sites of Harappa ,Mohanjo daro, Takshashila, Nalanda, Saranath, Pataliputra. Hasthinapura and Nagarujanakonda. From these excavations we can have the knowledge regarding the ancient Indian architecture, sculptural skills, and idols made of stone and metal. They are great evidences of the contemporary Indian culture and skills of the people in that period. Sanchi, Saranath, Amravati, Hale Beedu, Beluru, Mahabalipuram, Orugallu, Konark and Somnathpur monuments are the best examples of archeological sources. The wall paintings of Ajanta and Ellora caves express the Indian art and painting skills of the people of the time.
 
11.Write a note on Indian Inscriptions:
       Inscriptions are available on hill caves, stones, stone pillars, stone plates and copper plates. The earliest inscriptions in India are those of Emperor Asoka. Allahabad Inscriptions laid by Samudragupta described his qualities, character and victory in wars. Nanaghat Inscriptions laid by Deni Naganika and Nasik Inscriptions laid by Gowthami Balasri are main sources of Shatavahana history. Kharavela’s Hathigumpta inscription and Pulakesin-II’s Aihole inscriptions tell us about the rulers who laid them.
 
12.What are the informations that we get from  coins?
       From coins we come to know about the economic and trade situations, sculpture development, personality of several rulers and their interests in religion and arts. The discovery of a large number of Roman coins in South India confirms the fact that there was brisk trade between India and the Roman Empire. That also refers to the economic prosperity of India and the sea-going activities of its people.