This article attempts to capture in one place the names of books and other works written in ancient India. For the purpose of this list, we consider all books written in the Indian subcontinent up to and including the Mughal era as being 'ancient books'.
Collections
Each collection represents a set of books that are collectively known by the collection's name. In the list of books (shown below the table of collections), each book also refers to the collection it belongs to (if it does).
Name Description Alternate Names Date Vedas Sacred hymns on 5 supreme gods led by Surya, which are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. There are four Vedas, and these constitute the Hindu canon (but they are largely religious scriptures, some telling it to be God's words). Each Veda has four subdivisions – the Samhitas (mantras and benedictions), the Aranyakas (text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices), the Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices), and the Upanishads (texts discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge). Samhita 1500-800 BCE Shakhas Vedic school. Each school taught a Veda in a specific way, over time evolving specific styles and emphasis, based on how / by whom / where it was taught. Brahmanas Commentary and elaboration on vedas and description of religious procedures. 900-500 BCE Upanishads Philosophy in response to Vedas and Brahmanas. There are 108 Upnishads, among which 13 are considered the principal ones. 800-400 BCE Vedanta Later commentary on the Vedas, Brahmanas and Upanishads. Itihasa Ramayana and Mahabharata are known as the itihasas (‘thus it happened’). present form c.800 BCE for Mahabharata and c.300 BCE for Ramayana Pali Canon Essential collections of teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, as written by his followers, three centuries later. Tripiṭaka Puranas Historic texts (usually about a royal lineage or local legends) - written by court-appointed historians. Usually contrasted with historical descriptions in vedas, brahmanas, etc., that are written by priests. c.700 BCE (origins) First edition 200 CE to 1000 CE (for canonical ones) (some portions, especially, but not limited to, portions of Bhavishya Purana were added until 1850 CE) Dharmaśāstra Collection and description of laws (man-made and natural). 300 BCE - 300 CE Sangam literature Collection of texts on ethics, polity, love, and ancient Indian lifestyle, especially in the southern part of the peninsular India. 300 BCE - 300 CE
Books Key
Subject Area - subject area of the book Topic - topic (within the subject area) Collection - belongs to a collection listed in the table above Date - date (year range) book was written/composed Geographic Region - as it was known at the time of writing, and the modern name, if known