INTRODUCTION
For the development of literature the ancient Indian history is divided in different ages. During different periods different scholars, Universities and schools flourished which developed the literature. Below is discussed the development of literature in different ages.
DEVELOPMENT OF LITERATURE IN VEDIC AGE :
- EARLY VEDIC PERIOD : There are four vedas, Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda. Rigveda is considered to be most important and consists of prayers offered to Agni, Indra, Varuna. It contains 1028 Suktas, 10532 hymns.
- LATER VEDIC LITERATURE :
- VEDAS : other three vedas were compiled during the later VEDIC age. Yajur Veda describes sacrifices, Sama Veda about Indian music history, Atharva Veda with charms and spells to ward off evils and diseases.
- THE ARANYAKAS : Literal meaning is forest, and are concluding part of Bhramanas and do not give much information about spiritual matters and moral values.
- UPANISHAD : It is considered as the basic source of Indian philosophy. There are 108 upanishads and provide sufficient knowledge about relationships of God and soul.
- PURANSAS : They are written in Sanskrit and contain Indian philosophy and ancient Aryan history. Most important puranas is number 18 which contains valuable material from the early history of India.
- SUTRAS : New literature with regard to new social custom developed which came to be known as 'Sutras' and are divided into four parts:
- Shrauta sutras
- Griha sutras
- Dharma sutras
- Sulva sutras
- UP VEDAS : There are four upvedas
- Ajurveda : deals with medicine
- Dhanurveda : deals with art of warfare
- Gandharva Veda : deals with dance and music
- Shilpa veda : deals with art and architecture
- THE EPICS : There are two great epics: The Ramayana and The Mahabharata, most popular books of Hindus. Both the Epics were compiled in Punjab . The Mahabharata was compiled by Ryshi Veda Vyas, consisting of one lakh verses and Ramanyana was written by Valmiki, consisting of 24000 verses.
- SIX SCHOOLS OF PHILOSOPHY :
- SANKHYA SHASTRA
- YOGA SHASTRA
- NYAYA SHASTRA
- VAISHESHIK SHASTRA
- UTTRA MIMAMSA
- PURNA MIMANSA
DEVELOPMENT DURING MAURYAN PERIOD :
- MAJOR LANGUAGE : Major languages were Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit. Major works were compiled in Sanskrit. Ashoka used Kharosthi script in Gandhara Region. Pali language was the court language of Magadha. Soon the language matured and was known as 'Monumental Prakrit'.
- MAJOR LITERARY WORKS : Megasthenese's Indica is an important source of the Mauryan empire. Another important work is of kautilya who wrote arthashastra. He was a great scholar, diplomat and a Brahman of Taxila. Apart from these, 'Kalpasutra' of Bhadrabahu, 'Grammar' of Panini,' Kamasutra' of Vatasayanaee are great works of that age.
- RELIGIOUS LITERATURE : Literary works of Jains like ,'Bhagwati Sutra' , 'Vaikalika' and 'Acharanga Sutra' were compiled. Dance and Drama were quite popular. Dattaka is a renowned writer who wrote a book on the art of love. The jatakas contain the story of Buddha's life written during mauryan age.
DEVELOPMENT DURING KUSHANA PERIOD
Peshawar became the centre of Buddhist learnings. Large Sanskrit literature was produced during this age. Ashvaghosha is the great literary figure of Kanishka's court. He was a versatile genius. The Buddhacharita is the life story of Buddha in Sanskrit poetry. Nagarjuna was not only philosopher but also a scientist, he enunciated the theory of relativity in his great work called Madhyamika sutra.
DEVELOPMENT OF LITERATURE DURING THE GUPTA PERIODS
Gupta age saw the rise of intellectuals like Kalidasa, Vishakhadatta, Dandin,Shudraka, Harisena. The Gupta age is described as the golden age. Secular literature, philosophical literature, religious literature, grammar, medicine ,and technology made great progress during the Gupta age. Most notable scholars of this period were Sabaraswamin, Dignaga, Buddhaghosa, Asanga, Paramartha.
DEVELOPMENT OF LITERATURE UNDER RAJPUT KINGS :
- POETRY : Under Rajout kings poetry flourished a lot. The remarkable lyrical poet, Jaidev wrote 'Gita Govinda' or song of cow herd. It describes the love of lord Krishna with milk maids and Radha. The author of 'Kultanimata' was another great poet.
- BIOGRAPHIES : Number of biographies were written during Rajput age of which 'Prithviraj Raso' of Chanderdai is most famous. 'Bhoja Prabandha' which describes the life of king Bhoja is another good biographical sketch. Two major biographies written by Hema Chandra were 'Kumarapal Charita' and 'Prithviraj Vijya' by Jayank.
- NARRATIVE LITERATURE : Major narrative literature were 'Brihala Kathamanyari' by Kshenendra and 'Katha Sarita sagar' by Soma devi.
- DRAMAS : Most remarkable writer of drama is Bhavabhut, the writer of ' 'Maltinadhava', 'Uttar Ramcharit' , 'Mahavira Charita'.
- PHILOSOPHY : Philosophical works of Rajput age were , 'Pramam Mimansa' by Hemachandra, commentaries on Nyaya by Uddolkar, 'Nyayabindu' on Buddhism by Dharmakirti. Most famous work is Shankara Charya on the Vedanta Philosophy.
- PROSE-WRITERS : Major prose writers of the period were Dhampal of 'Tilakamanjari' , Dandin of 'Dhashnmaracharita' etc., were famous.
CONCLUSION :
ON the basis of above discussion the major literary development during different ages can be concluded. All the ages saw the rise of different languages, poetries, literature and even scholars.
BOOK REFRENCE ( CLICK TO BUY )
A History of India, Vol. I, Penguin Books, 1966 - Thapar, Romila