MHD-17 IGNOU Handwritten Assignment 2026-27

Course Scope and Syllabus Overview for MHD-17:

MHD-17: is a specialized course within the Master of Arts (Hindi) program under IGNOU’s School of Humanities. This course critically examines the intellectual traditions of India, emphasizing the philosophical, literary, and socio-cultural dimensions of pre-modern and medieval thought. Students explore the evolution of Indian thought from Buddhist and Lokayata traditions to the mystic traditions of the Siddhas, Naths, and Sant poets, alongside a dedicated focus on Dalit literature as a transformative voice. The curriculum integrates textual analysis with contextual understanding, preparing students to engage with the complexities of Indian philosophical and literary heritage while addressing marginalized perspectives.

Key Syllabus Units and Topics

• -1 : This unit delves into the philosophical and literary contributions of Buddhist literature, analyzing key texts like the Pali Canon and Mahayana sutras, alongside their socio-political implications in ancient India.
• -2 : Students analyze the materialist and humanist thought of the Lokayata school, examining its critique of orthodox beliefs and its influence on secular philosophy in Indian intellectual history.
• -3 : This block explores the esoteric traditions of the Siddhas and Naths, focusing on their ascetic practices, Tantric thought, and literary expressions in texts like the Hathayogapradipika and Gorakshashtakam.
• -4 : The unit examines the devotional and revolutionary poetry of Bhakti and Sant poets (e.g., Kabir, Ravidas, Dhanna), analyzing their linguistic innovation and critique of caste hierarchies.
• Dalit Literature and Marginalized Voices: Dedicated analysis of Dalit literary works, including the contributions of authors like Baburao Bagul and Omprakash Valmiki, to understand their role in reshaping Indian literary and philosophical discourse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the marking scheme for assignments in MHD-17, and how many assignments are required for the course?
A: MHD-17 requires submission of two assignments, each carrying 20 marks—totaling 40 marks. These assignments are internally assessed by IGNOU Study Centers, and passing marks for each are 50%.

Q: Are there any specific guidelines for referencing philosophical texts (e.g., Buddhist sutras or Sant poetry) in assignments?
A: Students must cite sources using IGNOU’s prescribed referencing format (e.g., author-date system) for all quoted or paraphrased texts. Direct quotations must be in italics with page numbers from the prescribed textbooks.