History is the study of past events, people, and cultures. It helps us understand how societies have evolved over time, shaping the present and informing the future.
Indian history spans thousands of years, with diverse cultures, empires, and significant events. Here's a concise summary:
🧭 MAJOR PERIODS IN INDIAN HISTORY
| Period | Timeline | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient India | Up to 700 CE | Indus Valley, Vedic Age, Maurya & Gupta Empires |
| Medieval India | 700 – 1700 CE | Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire |
| Modern India | 1700 – 1947 CE | British Rule, Revolts, Freedom Struggle |
| Post-Independence | 1947 onwards | Indian Republic, Reforms, Events |
🏺 ANCIENT INDIA
1. Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1300 BCE)
Also called Harappan Civilization
Urban planning (e.g., Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa)
Important: Great Bath, Granaries, Script (undeciphered), No temples
Economy: Agriculture, Trade with Mesopotamia
2. Vedic Period (1500–600 BCE)
Aryans settled in India (Rigvedic & Later Vedic Periods)
Vedas: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda
Society: Varna system, Janapadas
Epic Age: Ramayana, Mahabharata
3. Mahajanapadas & Rise of Jainism/Buddhism (600–321 BCE)
16 Mahajanapadas
Buddha & Mahavira: Both born in 6th century BCE
Mauryan Empire (321–185 BCE): Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka (Kalinga War, Dhamma, rock edicts)
4. Post-Mauryan Period & Gupta Empire
Gupta Empire (319–550 CE): Golden Age
Achievements: Aryabhata, Kalidasa, Ajanta caves
Famous rulers: Samudragupta, Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)
🏰 MEDIEVAL INDIA
1. Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)
Dynasties: Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi
Important rulers: Qutb-ud-din Aibak (built Qutb Minar), Alauddin Khilji (market reforms), Muhammad bin Tughlaq (failed experiments)
2. Bhakti & Sufi Movements
Saints: Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Promoted social reform, unity
3. Mughal Empire (1526–1707)
Babur (First Battle of Panipat, 1526), Humayun, Akbar (Din-i-Ilahi), Jahangir, Shah Jahan (Taj Mahal), Aurangzeb
Decline after 1707
4. Regional Kingdoms
Marathas (Shivaji), Rajputs, Sikhs, Nawabs of Bengal, Mysore (Tipu Sultan)
🇮🇳 MODERN INDIA
1. Advent of Europeans
Portuguese: Vasco da Gama (1498)
British East India Company: Battle of Plassey (1757), Battle of Buxar (1764)
2. British Rule (1757–1947)
Reforms: Charter Acts, Regulating Acts
Revolt of 1857: First War of Independence (Mangal Pandey, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Bahadur Shah Zafar)
3. Social & Religious Reform Movements
Raja Ram Mohan Roy (Brahmo Samaj), Swami Vivekananda, Arya Samaj
Abolition of Sati, Women’s Education
4. Indian National Movement
➤ Pre-Gandhian Era
INC formed in 1885 (A.O. Hume)
Extremists: Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai
➤ Gandhian Era
Champaran, Non-Cooperation (1920), Civil Disobedience (1930), Quit India (1942)
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919), Dandi March (1930)
➤ Partition & Independence
Muslim League (1906), Lahore Resolution (1940)
Mountbatten Plan (1947)
Independence: 15 August 1947
🏛️ POST-INDEPENDENCE INDIA
Republic in 1950
Reorganization of states (1956)
Green Revolution, Emergency (1975), Liberalization (1991)
⭐ IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES
| Name | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Ashoka | Spread of Buddhism |
| Akbar | Religious tolerance |
| Mahatma Gandhi | Non-violence, Satyagraha |
| Subhash Chandra Bose | INA |
| Bhagat Singh | Revolutionary activities |
| Nehru | First PM of India |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar | Constitution Drafting |
📝 Practice Question - Indian History
Q1. Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire?
a) Ashoka
b) Bindusara
c) Chandragupta Maurya
d) Harshavardhana
✅ Answer: c) Chandragupta Maurya
Q2. The Battle of Plassey was fought in:
a) 1757
b) 1761
c) 1857
d) 1942
✅ Answer: a) 1757
Q3. Who was the first woman ruler of India?
a) Rani Lakshmi Bai
b) Razia Sultana
c) Chand Bibi
d) Ahilyabai Holkar
✅ Answer: b) Razia Sultana
Q4. The Non-Cooperation Movement was withdrawn after:
a) Simon Commission
b) Chauri Chaura incident
c) Jallianwala Bagh
d) Dandi March
✅ Answer: b) Chauri Chaura incident
Q5. Who wrote the book Discovery of India?
a) Gandhi
b) Nehru
c) Ambedkar
d) Bose
✅ Answer: b) Nehru
Q6. Which Mughal ruler built the Red Fort?
a) Akbar
b) Babur
c) Shah Jahan
d) Aurangzeb
✅ Answer: c) Shah Jahan
Q7. Where did Buddha attain enlightenment?
a) Lumbini
b) Sarnath
c) Bodh Gaya
d) Kushinagar
✅ Answer: c) Bodh Gaya
Q8. Who was known as the “Iron Man of India”?
a) Bhagat Singh
b) Vallabhbhai Patel
c) Jawaharlal Nehru
d) Rajendra Prasad
✅ Answer: b) Vallabhbhai Patel
Q9. Who was the Viceroy during the Quit India Movement?
a) Lord Irwin
b) Lord Wavell
c) Lord Mountbatten
d) Lord Linlithgow
✅ Answer: d) Lord Linlithgow
Q10. Who was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India?
a) Akbar
b) Babur
c) Humayun
d) Aurangzeb
✅ Answer: b) Babur
