Patna: Agriculture was the driving force behind ancient India’s economy, society and state formation, speakers said at a lecture organised by the Bihar state archives directorate on Tuesday.The programme, held under the Prof Ram Sharan Sharma Memorial Lecture Series, focused on “A Historical Analysis of the Agricultural System in Ancient India”.Keynote speaker Ratna Amrit, principal of AN College, Patliputra University, traced the evolution of agriculture, highlighting the role of land, irrigation, farmers and the state. She said agricultural surplus from the Gangetic plains helped fuel the political and economic rise of Magadha.Director of Archives Mohammad Faisal Abdullah and former history department head S.N. Arya also recalled Sharma’s contribution to the socio-economic study of ancient Indian history.
