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History of Indian Economic Thought (IKS)

Home/ History of Indian Economic Thought (IKS)
Course Type Course Code No. Of Credits
Discipline Elective SLS2EC111 4
  1. Does the course connect to, build on or overlap with any other courses offered in AUD?

This course does not build on any prior courses. It complements courses on the history of economic thought in other countries, on Indian economy and courses on Indian Knowledge Systems in other disciplines.

  1. Specific requirements on the part of students who can be admitted to this course: (Pre-requisites; prior knowledge level; any others – please specify)

Knowledge of Indian history at class X level

  1. No. of students to be admitted (with justification if lower than usual cohort size is proposed):

As per University norms.

  1. Course scheduling (semester; semester-long/half-semester course; workshop mode; seminar mode; any other – please specify):

Semester.

  1. How does the course link with the vision of AUD?

The course will enable students to ground themselves in India’s long history of economic thought and help them understand the deep historical roots of many contemporary social and economic structures. This will contribute to AUD’s vision of excellence in education with social consciousness.

  1. How does the course link with the specific programme(s) where it is being offered?

Exposure to the different economic structures that prevailed in India in different periods and the ways that Indian thinkers responded to them will develop students’ ability to understand economics as a historically- and socially-grounded discipline.

Pre-requisites: Knowledge of Indian history at the class X level.

Objective:  This course introduces students to the history of economic thought in India from the most ancient recorded history to the eve of Independance. Moving at a brisk pace the course will cover the major thinkers from different eras helping students appreciate the rich history of economic thinking in India and the connections of economic thinking to economic conditions and to the broader currents of ideas.

Course outcomes:

            On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

  • Describe the major features of the thoughts of the thinkers covered in the course and provide a critical evaluation.
  • Describe the broad economic conditions that provided the context to their thought.
  • Describe the continuity and changes in their thought over time as well as the give and take of ideas between India and the rest of the world.

Brief description of modules/ Main modules:

Citations in square brackets such as [AKD] refer to readings given in section 11 below.

Session

(2 hours each)

Topics

Readings

1-3

Introduction to the study of the history of economic thought

[AKD], Ch. 1

4-6

Buddhist economic thought

[AKD], Ch. 2

7-9

Kautilya and his Arthashastra

[AKD], Ch. 3

Kautilya (2000), Arthashastra, trans. L.N. Rangarajan, Penguin Classics Edition

10-12

Economic thought of the Sultanate and Mughal period

[AKD], Ch. 4

13-15

Beginning of nationalist economic thought: Naoroji, Ranade, Gokhale

[AKD], Ch. 6-8

Chandra, B. (1966) The Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism in India, Anamika

16-18

Ambedkar’s economic thought

Jadhav, N. (2015) Ambedkar: An Economist Extraordinaire

Thorat & Aryama ( 2007 ). Ambedkar in Retrospect: Essay on Economics, Politics and Society

Ambedkar B. R. (2014) Writing and Speeches Vol 1, 6, 10, 14, 17  (Selected writings)

Mungekar B. (2017) The Essential Ambedkar, Rupa (Selected chapters)

 

20-22

Gandhian economics

[AKD], Ch. 9

Gandhi, M.K. (1933) Hind Swaraj, https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/hind_swaraj.pdf

Dasgupta, A.K. (1996) Gandhi’s Economic Thought, Routledge

23-25

Economic thought and policy in the immediate post-Independence period

[AKD], Ch. 10

Krishnamurthy, j et al. (2009) Towards Development Economics: Indian Contribution 1900-1945

Main Reading list:

  • [AKD] Dasgupta, A.K. (1993) A History of Indian Economic Thought, Routledge
  • Ambedkar B. R. (2014) Writing and Speeches, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, Vol 1,6, 10, 14 and 17
  • Chandra, B. (1966) The Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism in India, Anamika
  • Dasgupta, A.K. (1996) Gandhi’s Economic Thought, Routledge
  • Gandhi, M.K. (1933) Hind Swaraj, https://www.mkgandhi.org/ebks/hind_swaraj.pdf
  • Jadhav, N. (2015) Ambedkar: An Economist Extraordinaire
  • Kautilya (2000), Arthashastra, trans. L.N. Rangarajan, Penguin Classics Edition
  • Krishnamurthy, j et al. (2009) Towards Development Economics: Indian Contribution 1900-1945
  • Mungekar B. (2017) The Essential Ambedkar, Rupa pub. (Selected chapters)
  • Rao, V. K. R. V. (1970). The Gandhian alternative to western socialism. India Quarterly, 26(4), 331-352.
  • Rao, V. K. R. V. (1952). India's first five-year plan-a descriptive analysis. Pacific Affairs, 3-23
  • Thorat & Aryama ( 2007 ). Ambedkar in Retrospect: Essay on Economics, Politics and Society

Pedagogy:

  1. Instructional design: Classroom lectures supplemented by independent work by students.
  2. Special needs (facilities, requirements in terms of software, studio, lab, clinic, library, classroom/others instructional space; any other – please specify): Classroom with audio-visual equipment and internet connection.
  3. Expertise in AUD faculty or outside: expertise exists within the AUD faculty to teach this course.
  4. Linkages with external agencies (e.g., with field-based organizations, hospital; any others): None

Assessment structure (modes and frequency of assessments)

Mid-semester exam: 50%

End-semester exam: 50%

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