M.A. (Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology)

(This programme will be conducted in offline mode.)

Programme details for Academic year 2025-2026

Commencement Date: 14th July 2025
Days: Monday to Saturday
Timing: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

This programme emphasizes the development of analytical and critical thinking skills as students engage with different aspects of ancient Indian culture from historical, philosophical and anthropological perspectives. Trade and transmission of ideas across the sub-continent, rock-cut architecture, iconography, and Indian aesthetics are themes developed in year one that are sustained in the second year with in-depth learning.

As with all our programmes, there is a strong focus on developing research skills. For this, an audit course is compulsory in each semester, and students can study any of other classical languages we teach – Prakrit, Pali, Sanskrit and Tibetan.

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Key Information

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Admission Details

Eligibility

1. B. A. in AIHC & Arch. or Graduate in any other discipline with Diploma in AIHC & Arch. 

2. Students from disciplines other than Ancient Indian History & Archaeology or History  must have cleared the Diploma in Ancient Indian History & Archaeology or History. Candidates with self-study of the domain will have to take an entrance exam.

3. Exceptional candidates with a score lower than 55% may be considered, based on an interview. In case selected, they will have to undergo the entrance exam.

4. A score of minimum 40% is required in the entrance exam.

Pedagogy

Teaching-learning occurs in a combined lecture and seminar format. For courses in Rock-cut Architecture, learning is site-based and students are encouraged to explore different ways of seeing, as we equip them with tools that help them engage with any site of ancient heritage thereafter. There is an emphasis on site-based learning for our elective courses concerning the study of art and architecture, and students are encouraged to explore different ways of seeing as well as reading architectural forms. We equip our students with methodological tools that prepare them to engage with any heritage site thereafter. As our programmes are multidisciplinary, covering a broad range of themes, our students have the opportunity to select electives from other Masters programmes of the institute, to broaden their understanding of ancient languages, comparative religion, and Indian history. Offered with an extensive range of workshops, public lectures, internship opportunities, student seminars, and field visits, this programme allows the students to shape their degree around the areas that interest them the most.  Assessment occurs throughout the semester and most courses require an end-semester essay instead of an examination.

Curriculum

 
 
 
Semester I Semester II
Archaeology (Methodology/Material Culture) Ancient Indian Iconography
Trade and Religion Art History - II
Art History - I  
Cultural History of India - I Elective 
Language Skill Development Programme Pre-History
Sanskrit: Language and Literature I Rock cut Architecture
Pali Language and Literature I Travelling Stories
Tibetan Language I Analysis of Ancient Indian Literary Tradition: A
Workshop Ancient Mumbai: History & Archaeology
  Indian Cultural Influence in Asia
  Language Skill Development Programme
  Sanskrit: Language and Literature I
  Pali Language and Literature I
  Tibetan Language I
Semester III Semester IV
Ancient Indian Aesthetics (Rasa and Dhvani) Historiography
Cultural History of India - II Dissertation
Elective  Elective 
Proto History Ancient Indian Paintings
Critical Concepts in Religious Studies Ancient Education Tradition
Ancient India through Foreigner’s account Performing Arts
Analysis of Ancient Indian Literary Tradition: B Epigraphy
Indian Philosophy and Tradition of Debate Archiving and Museology: II
Numismatics Workshop
Archiving and Museology: I  
State, Wealth, Kingship  
Ancient Indian Temples  
Language Skill Development Programme  
Diploma in Paninian Grammar  
Pali Language and Literature II  
Development of Religious Thought  

Differentiators

The Centre for Buddhist Studies has led the field in innovative curriculum design that addresses the learning needs of students who can engage full time, as well as those who pursue their passion part-time, at their own pace. The faculty have diverse specialisations, which is reflected in the syllabus.

Recognising that Buddhism is a living tradition, eminent members of the Sangha are regularly invited to or campus. This gives students an opportunity for experiential learning. The institution has had the privilege of hosting His Holiness the Dalai Lama four times. ven. Dhammadipa, a Buddhist monk from the Czech republic, is an annual visitor who has taught several key programmes on meditation texts as well as led retreats.
•    Internship opportunities
•    Site-based teaching and learning
•    Talks and public lectures by scholars and practitioners
 

The K J Somaiya Institute of Dharma Studies has a library with over 30,000 books, which is an important resource.

In addition to the workshops that are an integral part of this programme, students can attend seminars, workshops and field trips that are offered by the institution across the various disciplines. This creates opportunities of learning beyond the classroom and permits interaction with students pursuing different interests: this is a key feature of the learning experience on our campus.

Programme Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the programme, a student will:

  • Be equipped with methodological tools that are key to future research in this discipline.
  • Be able to link narrative literature to art as well as to transmission of ideas across cultures, thus learning on a wider canvas that questions ideas of authenticity and purity of the “original”.

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