Weekend Study: A short History of Subcontinent (With British Museum Visit)
The India subcontinent is unique in its heritage and history. It has lasted through invasion, political change and assimilation. It is home to the one of the world’s oldest civilizations, the Indus Valley. Join us on this 2-day study weekend to learn more.
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 13 Sep 2025End Date: 14 Sep 2025Sat-Sun (Daytime): 10:00 - 17:00In PersonFull fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
.Our course will cover the period from the Pre-Aryans (c.5000 BC) to the Mughal conquest of India. Day one (Saturday) will be onsite at the City Lit where we will learn about the social, political, religious and cultural history of the subcontinent in this period; on day two (Sunday) we will explore exhibits in the British Museum. The BM features artifacts from the Indus Valley civilization; Mauryan and Gupta period displays (including Ashokan inscriptions, sculptures, and coins); as well as Jain and Buddhist statues and Mughal art. We will also complete a short activity during our visit. The course will be interactive with chances to discuss Indian history & politics and their impact on Indian culture and traditions.
What will we cover?
The pre-Aryan civilization (Indus Valley)
Invasion of the Aryans, the Vedas
The use of Sanskrit and its development
The rise of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism
The Ashoka, Chola and Gupta empires
The Delhi sultanate, Sikhism and the rise of the Mughal Empire
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Create a historical timeline for India
- Evaluate some of the philosophical ideas that emerge from India
- Reflect on Indian history and its connection to modern culture
- Assess the significance of ancient Indian artifacts
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is designed for beginners or intermediate learners with little or no experience of the material. It will appeal to all of those who would like to find out more about India's history.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Presentation, group exercises and discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please see our Asia section for the full range of courses we offer on the history of the subcontinent.
Ketan teaches courses in Business Skills and Indian Philosophy/History at CityLit. In his career Ketan has worked with over 30 large and complex organisations in helping them with Operational Excellence and Change Management. He is the author of the book ‘The Art of Transformational Change – a handbook for leaders and managers’, published in October 2015. Ketan is of indian hertitage and has visited many places of pilgrimage and history in India over the last 25 years. He has learnt Sanskrit to foundation level and studied several Indian sutras. He has delivered courses in Jain Philosophy for over 15 years.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.