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Banaras Hindu University is a central university in Varanasi, India where most of the students are willing to enrol after their schooling or their bachelors or even in masters. The quality of education and the opportunities for co-curricular as well as the extra-curricular activities provided here is the reason which intimidates students to enrol themselves in this university.
BHU PET (Postgraduate Entrance Test) and BHU UET (Undergraduate Entrance Test) is conducted by Banaras Hindu University for enrolling students in its Master’s programs such as M.A, M.Sc, M.Com, M.Ed, MFA and similarly the respective bachelor’s programmes as well.
Here in this article, we will let you know everything you need to know about the Master of Arts in AIHC & Archaeology at Banaras Hindu University.
Course Highlights
| Course | Master of Arts- AIHC & Archeology |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Eligibility | Bachelor of Arts with a minimum of 50% |
| Course Level | Postgraduate |
| Course Type | Regular (Full time) |
| Location | Department of AIHC & Archeology |
| University | Banaras Hindu UNiversity |
| No. of Seat | 244 |
| Course Code | 448 |
| Admission Procedure | On the basis of BHU PET marks |
What is MA in AIHC & Archeology at BHU all about?
Banaras Hindu University provides students with a large number of opportunities to explore their interests. The university provides students with a large number of courses to pursue and a Master of Art in AIHC & Archeology is one of them.
Master of Arts (MA) in AIHC & Archaeology at Banaras Hindu University is a two-year post-graduation course/degree conducted by various colleges in India. This particular course allows its students to explore the depths of the ancient culture of the Indian subcontinent as well as other important cultures and traditions of the world. After completing a post-graduation degree a student as per their interest can go forward for their respective career options or can do a PhD and then do research or start teaching as their profession.
Candidates who wish to pursue this course will be made aware of various excavation techniques and methods that will enable them to take on individual projects related to excavation of a specific area or place and unearth the history of that particular place and develop a report corroborated by facts and authentic figures. Archaeology has an extensive curriculum with a combination of theory and practical fieldwork and requires dedication and precision in work routine.
Following are the Core courses provided throughout four semesters in the postgraduate course of AIHC & Archeology:
| Course I | Historiography, Concepts & Methods |
| Course II | Sources of Ancient Indian History & Culture: Literature |
| Course III | History & Culture of Indian People |
| Course IV | Political & Cultural History of India : |
| Course V | Historical Writings & Individuals |
| Course VI | Sources of Ancient Indian History: Material Remains |
| Course VII | History of North India |
| Course VIII | History of the Deccan & South India |
Department of AIHC & Archeology
The Department of AIHC & Archaeology at Banaras Hindu University has earned an international reputation in the field of Indological studies. The multi-faceted nature of the Department is reflected in the activities that expand in disciplines like religion, palaeography, economic history, prehistoric and early historical archaeology, archaeometallurgy, science and technology of archaeological materials etc. A number of field studies in terms of painstaking archaeological explorations and excavations, which were conducted by the department, covers a vast historical canvas – from Prehistoric Times to the Historical period. The Department has made a few landmark discoveries, which are very significant for Indian History.
Eligibility
There are a few eligibility criteria that a student needs to fulfil to get admission in the postgraduate course in the AIHC & Arch. and they are mentioned below:
- BA (Hons)/ BA under 10+2+3 pattern securing a minimum of 50% aggregate including all subjects studied at BA level except those subjects where only pass marks are required and which do not contribute to the total in the final (degree) mark sheet.
- Must have appeared in the Postgraduate Entrance Test (BHU-PET) conducted by Banaras Hindu University.
Course Duration
The master of Art course in AIHC & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University is a postgraduate course. It is for two years and is a full-time regular course.
Admission Procedure
MA (AIHC & Archeology) Admission
You must be wondering about how to get admission to this masters course of AIHC & Arch. in the prestigious university, Banaras Hindu University after fulfilling all the minimum eligibility criteria, there is nothing to worry about, all you need to know is here for you. There are a few things you need to know and they are mentioned below:
- Banaras Hindu University conducts PET (Postgraduate entrance test) for admission in its different master’s course.
- An Entrance Test for this course is also conducted which is supposed to be taken by all students willing to get admitted to this course.
- All you need to do is to fill the form and then work hard to crack the entrance exam.
How to Fill PET Application Form?
Students can fill the application form for PET through the university portal. you just need to follow the instructions mentioned below and at last pay, the required fee and then your application will be submitted.
- Registration
- Course Selection
- Apply for Selected Course
- Final Review of Application
- Fee Payment and Application Submission
Documents Required at the Time of Counselling
Following are the few documents required at the time of counselling.
- 10th Marksheet
- 12th Marksheet
- Undergraduate Grade Card
- BHU PET Admit card
- Call Letter
- Caste Certificate (If Applicable)
- Transfer Certificate
- Character Certificate
- Migration Certificate
- Recent Passport Size Photos
Application Fee
To complete the application and finally submit the application form you need to complete the last step which is to submit the fee. The fee for every course is the same regardless of which course it is.
- For General Category- Rs.600
- For SC/ST/PWD- Rs.300
Availability of Seats
The Department of AIHC & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University accepts the admission of 77 total students (Male and Female) for its Master in AIHC & Archeology course in the prestigious university, Banaras Hindu University every year for its full-time two-year course with four semesters.
Reservation of Seats
The seats in this course of Banaras Hindu University is reserved as per the rules and regulations of the government of India. Physically Challenged students get a reservation of 3 % in all the programmes.
Course Fees
The best part of getting admission to Banaras Hindu University is that apart from the quality of Education, there is an affordable Fee structure for the course as well as the accommodation facilities. The fee for this course in the Department of AIHC & Archeology for two years is Rs. 4620 (approximately).
Required Skills
While AIHC & Archaeology might not prepare students for coding-intensive careers, it certainly teaches plenty of skills that are valuable and are helpful in every sector. Students are required to have a few skills to excel in their courses and eventually in their careers. Following are a few skills:
- Excellent communication skills and knowledge in the concerned specialisation is essential.
- Attention to detail and a focused bent of mind.
- Interpreting spatial data.
- Applying statistical and mathematical techniques.
- Involvement in fieldwork and other laboratory techniques.
Course Curricular
ELECTIVE COURSES: SPECIALIZATION ARCHAEOLOGY | Course I: Principles & Methods of Archaeology Course II: World Prehistory Course III : Protohistoric and Early Historic Archaeology Course IV: Practical Archaeology |
ART & ARCHITECTURE | Course I: A Historical Account of Ancient Indian Architecture Course II: Ancient Indian Sculpture, Painting Course III: Origin & Development of Ancient Indian Temples Course IV: Sculptural Styles of Early Medieval India & Iconography |
EPIGRAPHY & PALAEOGRAPHY | Course I: History of Scripts & Asokan Epigraphs Course II: Early Indian Inscriptions and Palaeography Course III: Palaeography and Epigraphy of Guptas and Vakatakas Course IV: Palaeography and Epigraphy of Early Medieval Period |
| NUMISMATICS | Course I: Beginnings of Indian Coinage Course II: Early Indian Coinage Course III: Gupta Coins and Methods of Study Course IV: Post Gupta Coinage of India |
| RELIGIONS OF ANCIENT INDIA | Course I: Vedic Religion Course II: Buddhism Course III: Vaishnavism, Shaivism & Minor Religious Systems Course IV: Jainism |
| STATE AND SOCIETY | Course I: Social Life of Ancient India Course II: Ancient Indian Economy Course III: Ancient Indian Administrative Systems Course IV: Legal Institutions of Ancient India |
Subject Combination
- M.A. in Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology is a 4 Semester Course.
- There shall be three following categories of Courses :
- The Departmental Core Course (DCC)
- Major Elective Courses: Specialization (MJ: Sp C)
- Minor Elective Courses: Supporting (ME: SC).
- All the courses of the first category The Departmental Core Course (DCC) shall be compulsory.
- A student may select any ONE of the Specializations from the Major Elective courses, which are offered by the department.
- The Minor Elective Courses: Supporting (ME: SC) may be selected from any of the courses offered under this category or from the Specialization Courses (other than the one which has already been offered by the student as his Specialization), of offered by the department and/or any other department.
- MINOR ELECTIVE: SUPPORTING COURSES
| Course I | Anthropology for Archaeology |
| Course II | Clay Modeling Art of Ancient India |
| Course III | Elements of Environmental Archaeology |
| Course IV | Food Production Strategies in Ancient India |
| Course V | Historical Geography of Ancient India |
| Course VI | History of Metallurgy |
| Course VII | History of Pali and Prakrit Literature |
| Course VIII | History of Sciences in India |
| Course IX | History of Sanskrit Literature |
| Course X | History of Technologies in Ancient India |
| Course XI | Indian Historical Geography from 1st Century A.D. to the Post-Gupta Period |
| Course X | India’s Cultural contact with Afghanistan, Nepal, Tibet & Central Asia |
| Course XI | India’s Cultural Contact with South-East Asia |
| Course XII | Tribal Material Culture vis-à-vis Archaeological Interpretations |
| Course XIII | West Asian Archaeology |
Why to Choose MA in AIHC & Archaeology course?
A degree in Archaeology is the way to work at historical sites, indulge in the restoration of monuments and explore the ancient history of the country. A person who studies the ancient remains and culture is referred to as an Archaeologist.
Archaeology is an interdisciplinary activity that involves the investigation of material developed by previous human societies. The primary objective of the course is to study past human cultures through survey, identification and excavation of historical sites. Archaeology is an excellent option as it leads to a broad range of employment opportunities not only in India but also abroad.
Candidates interested in pursuing this degree will also be taught the various techniques of finding potential spots and places that will yield archaeological remains and techniques of excavations in order to unearth and understand the cultures and civilizations that existed and thrived in the past.
MA Archaeology is a specialized discipline and offers knowledge on a vast scale. Aspirants who wish to pursue this degree as a professional course will be introduced to various different cultures of India and the world and the factors that connected those ancient civilizations.
Course Suitability
A masters degree in AIHC & Archaeology is a university program that seeks to impart knowledge to students who wish to obtain a higher understanding of AIHC & Archaeology, and the historical periods that bear great significance to the creativity of art.
Due to an increase in demand for the preservation of our heritage, regional and national departments undertaking conservation projects require individuals who are well versed in the skills of Archaeology to assist them on various research initiatives and work.
AIHC & Archaeology in recent times has emerged as a strong discipline and a reputed course to pursue due to the recent revolution of heritage management and the need to protect ancient tangible and intangible assets of our country, MA in AIHC &Archeology at BHU is a very specific course highlighting the need to balance and learn the sequence of India’s rich past culture as well as also allows its students the practical knowledge of various excavation techniques and learning the methods and ways to unearth the ancient Archaeological remains to construct the correct sequence of past events by corroborating the events and their authenticity as well.
Job Opportunities
With a Masters degree in AIHC & Archaeology, the candidates can target one of the following job titles –
- Professor of History
- Data History Analyst
- Social Science Teacher
- Research Fellow
- Curriculum Design Consultant
- Subject Matter Expert
- Archaeologists
- Museum Curators
- Conservationists
- Heritage managers
Top Recruiters
| The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) | UPSC |
| National Museum, Delhi | Indian Museum, Kolkata |
Preparation Tips for MA in AIHC & Archaeology Entrance Exam
- It is advisable for the candidates to begin their preparation for the BHU entrance exam with the help of the best books for BHU PET in order to prepare in an effective and productive way.
- Jotting down the topics to be studied from the Entrance Exam syllabus available on the official site of BHU.
- Solve the Previous year question paper of at least 10 years which is available on the official site of BHU.
- Going through the relevant topics in NCERT books, Lucent’s General knowledge book and through the internet.
- Go through the basic reasoning and aptitude skills to score well in the exam.
- Read the key elements and events of India’s ancient past.
- Prepare according to the previous syllabus of archaeology and ancient history as the majority of questions are related to this field.
- Candidates are required to go online and conduct mock test series to gain more ease and practice.
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