Ancient Indian History Time Period & Events

Ancient India History

The Indus Valley Civilisation, Harrapa | Aryans and the Vedic Age | Rise of Religions and Emergence of the State | The Gupta Age | The Southern Kingdoms 

The Indus Valley Civilization existed in between 3000-1500 BC while the earlier Kot Diji cultures, of the pre-Indus period, existed in the period of approximately 3300-2800 BC. Harappa and the city of Mohenjo-Daro were the greatest achievements of the Indus valley civilization. These cities are well known for their impressive, organized and regular layout. 

Then came Aryans who composed these evocative hymns to nature and celebrated life exuberantly referred to them as Aryas usually anglicised as Aryan meaning 'noble'. The 6th Century B.C. was the period of Magadh Kingdom. Chandragupta Maurya ousted the oppressive ruler of Magadh to find his own dynasty that existed from 322 - 298 B.C. 

The most famous Maurya King Ashoka the Great ruled from 273 - 232 B.C over a large kingdom stretching from Kashmir and Peshawar in the North and Northwest to Mysore in the South and Orissa in the East. He after witnessing the carnage at the battle field of Kalinga (269 B.C.) in Orissa, dedicated himself to Dharmma (righteousness). 

In the subsequent centuries, after the Ashoka empire disintegrated, India suffered a series of invasions, and often fell under the spell of foreign rulers - Indo Bactrians, the Sakas and others. After the next 400 years of instability the Guptas established their kingdom. 

Kalidas, the famous Sanskrit poet and dramatist, author of Abhijnana Shankuntalam, Kumarsambhavam and Meghadutam is believed to have adorned the Gupta court. Also the great mathematicians like Aryabhatta and astronomers like Varahmihir lived during this period. The dazzling wall paintings of the Ajanta caves too are traced back to this era. 

Cholas, Pandayas and Pallavas ruled over the southern part of India during the medieval period of India’s history. Cholas ruled the territory of Deccan (today the districts of Thanjavur and Tiruchirapally) while the Pandyas reined around present day Tirunelvelli and Madurai. 

Pallavas of Kanchi rose to prominence in the 4th Century A.D. and ruled unchallenged for about four hundred years. The Nayanar and Alvar saint poets belong to this period. The gemlike shore temples at Mahabalipuram date to this period. The Cholas overthrew the Pallavas were in the 9th Century and regained political primacy in south India. The 15th Century saw the decline of the Pandyas. 

Ancient India - Time Period & Events

Topics	Period	Events
Pre-historic India	4,00,000 BC – 2500 BC	Paleeolithic Age, Mesolithic Age, Neolithic Age and Age in the sub-continent
Sindhu-Saravasti Valley-Civilization	2500 BC – 1500 BC	About the civilization, Society, Life, Important settlements and the End of the Civilization.
The Vedic Age	1500 BC – 1000 BC	About the vedic life, Vedas, Important tribes, Rituals and Vedic Gods.
The Epic Age	1000 BC – 600 BC	The Epic Society, Ramayana, Mahabharta, Bhagvad Gita, Upanishadas, Caste System, Distinction of Aryans and Dravidians.
Hindusim and Transition	600 BC – 322 BC	Transition of Hinduism, Rituals, Rebels against Rituals, Jainism, Buddhism, Mahajanapadas, Rise of Magadha under Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, Foundation of Pataliputra, Shishunaga Dynasty, Nanda Dynasty, Alexander's Invasion, Fight with Puru and results.
The Mauryan Dynasty	322 BC – 185 BC	Establishment of the Mauryan Dynasty by Chandragupta with the help of Chanakya, Negotiation with Seleucus Nicator, Northern India United, Money first came into use, Bindusara extends kingdom southwards, Asoka's war on Kalinga, Asoka embraces Buddhism, Asoka sends Buddhist missionaries, Pushyamitra Shunga overthrows the Mauryas.
The Invasions	185 BC – 320 AD	Invasions from Bactrian Greeks, Parthians, Shakas and Kushans. Cultural Fusion. Central Asia was opened to trade. Silk Route opened. Nagarjuna converts Menander to buddhism. First gold coins issued. Kanishka introduces Saka Era. Fourth council of Buddhism held in Kashmir. Schism of Buddhism into Hinayana and Mahayana.
The Deccan & South India	65 BC – 250 AD	Satavahana or Andhras establish power in Deccan under the leadership of Simuka. Satakarni succeeds Simuka. Building of Chaityas and Viharas. Domination of Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas in South India. Sangam Era started. Trimurthy takes place of Vedic Gods. St.Thomas spreads Christianity in South India.
The Gupta Era	320 AD – 520 AD	Gupta power extends under Chandragupta I. Classical Age and Golden Age of North India. Fa-hien visits India. Nalanda University becomes famous. Samudra gupta extends kingdom. Vikramaditya campaigns against Shakas. Shankuntalam by Kalidasa, Panchatantra by Vishnugupta, Kamasutra by Vatsayana were written. Mathematics reaches zenith with Aryabhatta's knowledge. Hunas raid north-west India.
The Age of Small Kingdoms	500 AD – 606 AD	Huna kings Toramana and Mihirakula claims Punjab and Kashmir. Migration from Central Asia and Iran. Emergence of new castes and sub-castes. Confusion in North India while South enjoys peace.
Harshavardhana	606 AD – 647 AD	Harsha Brings stability to North. Bana Bhatta writes Harshacharita. Hieun Tsang visits India. Caste system becomes rigid.
The Southern Kingdoms	500 AD – 750 AD	South India is united under Chalukyas, Pallavas and Pandyas. Bhakti Cult emerges. Beautiful temples were erected in the mountains. Cultural units come into existence.
The Chola Empire	9th Cen. AD – 13th Cen. AD	Vijayalaya establishes Chola empire. Cholas conquer Sri Lanka and Maldives. Rajaraja and Rajendra I strengthen Chola power. Temples play important role in public life. Development of regional languages from Sanskrit. Chola craftsmen excelled in making of Nataraja.
The Northern Kingdoms	648 AD – 1000 AD	Rashtrakutas, Palas and Pratiharas establish their empire. Regional languages evolved. Splendid temples of Konark, Puri and Kanchipuram were built. Miniature painting flourished.