Indian history spans over 5,000 years, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the modern republic. For competitive exams, history is divided into three broad periods: Ancient (up to 750 CE approximately), Medieval (750-1750 CE) and Modern (1750 onwards).
Ancient India
The Indus Valley Civilisation (3300-1300 BCE), also called the Harappan Civilisation, was one of the world three earliest civilisations alongside Mesopotamia and Egypt. Major sites include Harappa and Mohenjo-daro (in present-day Pakistan), Dholavira and Lothal (in Gujarat), Rakhigarhi (Haryana) and Kalibangan (Rajasthan). Key features: planned cities, advanced drainage systems, standardised weights and measures, and the undeciphered Indus script.
The Vedic Period (1500-600 BCE) saw the composition of the four Vedas (Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda), the Upanishads and the Puranas. The Later Vedic period saw the growth of settled agriculture, social stratification and early political formations.
The Mahajanapadas (6th-4th century BCE) were sixteen large kingdoms/oligarchies. Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama (~563-483 BCE) and Jainism by Mahavira (~599-527 BCE) in this period. Both arose partly as reformist movements against Brahmanical ritualism.
The Maurya Empire (321-185 BCE) was India first large-scale empire. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya with the guidance of Chanakya. Ashoka (268-232 BCE) was the greatest Mauryan emperor. After the Kalinga War, he adopted Buddhism and propagated the principle of Dhamma (righteousness). His edicts on rocks and pillars are invaluable historical sources.
The Gupta Empire (320-550 CE) is often called the Golden Age of India. Literature, mathematics, astronomy and art flourished. Kalidasa wrote Shakuntalam and Meghadoota. Aryabhata calculated the value of pi and proposed that Earth rotates on its axis. Varahamihira made contributions to astronomy.
Medieval India
The Rajput Kingdoms (7th-12th century) dominated north India. The Arab conquest of Sindh (711-712 CE) by Muhammad bin Qasim was the first Islamic conquest in India. The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 CE) had five dynasties: Slave/Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi. The Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646 CE) in the Deccan was the last great Hindu empire.
The Mughal Empire (1526-1857 CE) was founded by Babur after the First Battle of Panipat (1526). The six great Mughals were Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. Akbar introduced Din-e-Ilahi and maintained religious tolerance. The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan (1632-1653). Aurangzeb extended the empire to its greatest extent but his religious policies weakened it.
Modern India (British Period)
The British East India Company arrived in 1600 (Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I). Battle of Plassey (1757) and Battle of Buxar (1764) established British supremacy in Bengal. The Revolt of 1857 (also called First War of Independence) led to the end of EIC rule and direct Crown rule (Raj).
The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885. The national movement saw the Partition of Bengal (1905, Swadeshi Movement), Lucknow Pact (1916), Rowlatt Act (1919, Jallianwala Bagh massacre), Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34, Dandi March), and the Quit India Movement (1942). Independence was achieved on 15 August 1947 with Partition into India and Pakistan.
Key Historical Dates Table
| Event | Year |
|---|---|
| Indus Valley Civilisation begins | ~3300 BCE |
| Chandragupta Maurya founds Maurya Empire | 321 BCE |
| Battle of Kalinga (Ashoka) | 261 BCE |
| Gupta Empire founded | 320 CE |
| First Battle of Panipat | 1526 |
| Battle of Plassey | 1757 |
| Revolt of 1857 | 1857 |
| Indian National Congress founded | 1885 |
| Dandi March | 1930 |
| India Independence | 15 Aug 1947 |