Some of The Utopian Periods From India’s Past

Abstract

In this paper we will select a meaning of Utopia in line with a consensual definition. Not much has been discussed about Utopia in eastern cultures, especially in India. This paper will briefly touch upon the salient utopian features of cultures inside India. Focus will be placed on periods which were considered to be at the peak of civilizational achievement, prosperity and peace. The Utopian state of Indian societies of note will then be examined. Criteria used will include rules of society, the behavior of rulers and the citizens towards others, the benevolence of the elite, the material and mental conditions of the masses, etc. To study the Indian cultures, research will be conducted into stories contained in the Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, and many other literary works that have documented India’s historical times.