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The theory paper is of 70 marks. There are five questions divided into three sections.

Section A: Reading Skills

Q.1 Two passages from the modules with a variety of questions on different levels of comprehension, i.e., to test literal, interpretative and inferential skills. The total range of two passages would be about 700 to 800 words. (20 marks)

Section B: Analytical Skills

Q.2 Two passages extracted from different modules for comparing and contrasting and relating the ideas contained to the present time. The length of both the passages together should be about 600 words. (10 marks)

Q.3 One out of two long answer type questions based on the knowledge of the content to test the insights gained and whether the knowledge has been internalised. (15 marks)

Section C: Thinking Skills

Q.4 Five out of six short answer type questions based on the survey sections in the modules. (Word limit 30 - 40 words) (5 x 3 = 15 marks)

Q.5 Ten objective type MCQs to test global and local understanding of the text. (10 marks)

Syllabus Outline

Each module has a Survey Article, extracts from the Primary texts, exercises and activities. All the modules are to be covered during one year of study.

1. Astronomy in India

The Beginnings of Indian Astronomy - The Early Historical Period - The Siddhāntic Era - The Kerala School - Other Post - Siddhāntic Developments

2. Chemistry in India

Early Chemical Techniques, Atomism in Vaiśeṣika, Chemistry in Early Literature, The Classical Age, Laboratory and Apparatus

3. Indian Literatures Part I & II

Introduction of Indian Literature-an essentially an Oral Indian Culture

Rājaśekhara - various phases of Indian Literature: Ancient Period- Vedic Period, Middle period, Apabhransha, Modern Period

4. Indian Philosophical Systems

Mahātmā Buddha, ĀdiŚaṅkarācārya, ŚrīRāmānujācārya - concept and schools of Indian Philosophy Sāṁkhya, Yoga, Vaiśeṣika, Nyāya, Mīmāṁsā, Vedānta, Sāṁkhya

5. Indian Traditional Knowledge on Environmental Conservation

Nature, flora and fauna, Sacred groves, Reference in Manu Smriti: Vedic period and the cow, Bishnois and conservation, Tradition of resistance

6. Life Sciences

Ayurveda for Life, Health and Well-being: Definition of Ayurveda, The Principles of Ayurvedic Healing, Treating diseases to restore health

The historical evolution of medical tradition in ancient India: Specialization into eight branches, The tradition of surgery, medical genetics in Ayurveda, inoculation for smallpox, microbiology and parasitology, communicable diseases and epidemics, An evolving pharmacopoeia, pluralistic approach to healthcare, cross-cultural interactions, A
dynamic literary tradition, global resurgence of Ayurveda, contemporary status

Plant and Animal Science in Ancient India: Antiquity and continuity, Sources, Scope, Validation, Current status, Animal Science in Ancient India, Antiquity and continuity, Sources, Scope, Current status, Biodiversity and folk traditions 

7. Mathematics in India

First Steps, Early Historical Period, The Classical Period, The Classical Period, post-Āryabhaṭa, The Kerala School of Mathematics, Features of Indian Mathematics

8. Metallurgy in India

Definition, Metallurgy before and during the Harappan Civilization, After the Harappans, iron metallurgy, wootz steel, other iron pillars and beams, zinc, social context

9. Music in India

Origin, classification accompanied instrument, Bharata’sNāṭyaśāstra, New era, Medieval period, modern era, aesthetics of Indian classical music, forms of composition: Dhrupada, thumari, gazal, tarana, tappa, folk music, film music

10. Theatre and Drama in India

Its Beginnings, Classical Period, Major Indian Dramatists: Bhāsa, Kālidāsa, Bhavabhūti, Medieval Period, Kuṭiyaṭṭam, Yakṣagāna, Bhavāī, Jātrā, Nautaṅkī, Swāṅg, Rāmalīlā, Tamāśā, Nāchā, Pāṇḍavānī, Modern Era

Syllabus for Class