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I would like to know the opinion of historians on the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha. I can accept that they are excessively exaggerated and glorify people as Gods, but are they totally fiction? Do we have corroborative archaeological evidence to say that they are not pure fiction?

If they are real, what is the approximate time of their occurrence? I seem to remember from John Keay's History of India that Mahabharatha could have predated Ramayana. Is this possible and is there a consensus on this?

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Let's please try to focus the answers on the following question: "Do we have corroborative archaeological evidence to say that they are not pure fiction?" If this turns into a bunch of specualtion and opinion then we will have to close the question. – Steven Drennon♦ Nov 1 '12 at 11:48
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"Do we have corroborative archaeological evidence to say that they are not pure fiction?"—Prove me wrong. – Samuel Russell Nov 1 '12 at 11:55

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Given that both are thought to date back to the 4th or 5th centuries BCE, and the poetic verse structure strongly implies a long history as an oral tradition before it was committed to writing, this would be very much like asking how true the Iliad is.

The purpose of epic poems is not really to act as a historical document like we think of them today. The purpose is to tell a good story, and perhaps also teach a few lessons. For instance, it is common that they include a hero that is meant to "embody the values of the civilization".

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Troy WAS actually found. So you may want to pick an example other than the Iliad :) – DVK Nov 3 '12 at 22:08
Doubtless some of the places mentioned in the various Vedic verses exist too. That doesn't really change my point. – T.E.D.♦ Nov 4 '12 at 2:24
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@DVK - Troy was found, Achilles and Ajax were not. – RI Swamp Yankee Nov 9 '12 at 13:42
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I doubt anyone can tell if its a pure fiction or not. As @T.E.D. mentioned, these stories were recited in the early days and were transferred from one generation to another generation. Since you know the story, you can make a lot of references to the places mentioned to the present Indian cities. There are lot of things in the Vedas, Hinduism and the Indian history that are told to be true but do not have a proof. It is upto you to decide if you actually believe in them or not.

Putting that aside and thinking it from a different perspective, All the Indian mythological stories were trying to teach you the Meaning of Life and your existence in this world.

Also refer to this link

the meaning of life is tied up in the concepts of karma (causal action), sansara (the cycle of birth and rebirth), and moksha (liberation). Existence is conceived as the progression of the ātman (similar to the western concept of a soul) across numerous lifetimes, and its ultimate progression towards liberation from karma.

From what I understand, History is written or recited so that the future generations will not make the same mistakes and will lead a better life :)

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