Introduction

• Ancient Indian historiography before the seventh century AD was largely based on the Itihasa-Purana tradition.
• The impact of this tradition on later historical writings is noticeable, with the concept of history evolving over time.
• From the seventh to the twelfth century AD, historical writing in ancient India flourished, with the period being a blooming one for historical writing.
• A number of historical biographies were produced in different parts of India during this period.
• Court poets who wrote the biographies of their patrons, highlighting their life and achievements, were considered historiographers.
• Kings who patronized these poets played a crucial role in encouraging the production of biographical works to preserve past and contemporary events for future generations.
• The biographies of famous kings were composed by their respective court poets during this time.
• Some biographies were products of the historical school that flourished under the patronage of rulers like the Palas of Bengal, Paramaras of Malawa, Chalukyas of Gujarat and Kalyani, and the Cahamanas of Sakambari.
• Chronicles were also written in regions such as Sindh, Kashmir, Gujarat, Odisha, and Nepal.
• Writing historical biographies and chronicles were two significant stages in the evolution of Indian historiography.
• The biographies and chronicles from this period are important parts of historical literature.
• In addition to these, various other historical works were produced during this period.

Historical biography

• A historical biography deals with the life, character, and deeds of historical personalities, such as royal personages, kings, rulers, or emperors, who occupy an important place in history.
• It is based more on facts than fiction and is distinct from biographies of literary figures, religious saints, or semi-historical individuals.
• The history of historical biography in India is not as old as in China, Greece, and Rome.
• Ssu-ma Chien (C. 145-85 BC), a Chinese historian, produced Shih-chi in C. 100 BC, which includes biographies of important personalities of his time.
• The art of writing historical biography developed further in Greece and Rome in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.
• Plutarch (CAD 50-125), a Greek historian, wrote The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans, and Tacitus (C. AD 55-120), a Roman historian, wrote Life of Agricola, both notable works of historical biography.
• In India, the tradition of writing historical biography began in the 7th century AD.
• Ancient Indian biographical history had a distinct tradition, different from the Greek and Roman traditions, in terms of themes and qualities.
• Historical biographies in India were generally written in royal courts under the patronage of kings or princes.
• Court historiographers had royal patronage and were encouraged to record the history of their times, leading to the development of historical writing.
• Authors of historical biographies often covered the lives and achievements of their patrons, their pedigree, political relations, and historical events of their time, as well as contemporary culture and civilization.
• Some authors focused mainly on contemporary history and culture.
• The writing of historical biographies in ancient India contributed significantly to the development of the itihasa tradition.
• Carlyle observed that history is the biography of great men, emphasizing the role of biography in history.
• Ancient historical biographies were written in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa.
• These biographies were faithful records of the lives of kings who left significant marks on history.
• Maurice Winternitz, a great orientalist, claimed that “History and Biography in India have always been treated by poets as epic poetry,” but this is not entirely true. Historical works, including biographical ones, were also written by non-poets, and most of them were in prose.