Ancient India (3300 BCE

Study Notes

Indus Valley Civilization (3300 BCE - 1300 BCE):
- Flourished in the Indus River Valley (present-day Pakistan and northwestern India)
- Known for urban planning, architecture, and water management systems
- Major cities: Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Lothal
Vedic Period (1500 BCE - 500 BCE):
- Characterized by the composition of the Vedas, the oldest Hindu scriptures
- Society was divided into four varnas (social classes): Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras
Mauryan Empire (322 BCE - 185 BCE):
- Founded by Chandragupta Maurya, who united much of India for the first time
- Ashoka the Great (273 BCE - 232 BCE) promoted Buddhism and non-violence
Gupta Empire (320 CE - 550 CE):
- Known as the "Golden Age" of ancient India
- Significant advancements in science, mathematics, astronomy, and literature

Classical Hindu Kingdoms (550 CE - 1200 CE):
- Rajputs, Pala, and Sena kingdoms flourished in northern India
- Chola Empire (300 CE - 1279 CE) dominated southern India
Islamic Invasions and Empires (1000 CE - 1750 CE):
- Turkic and Afghan invasions led to the establishment of Muslim rule in India
- Delhi Sultanate (1206 CE - 1526 CE) and Mughal Empire (1526 CE - 1750 CE) were prominent Islamic empires
Vijayanagara Empire (1336 CE - 1646 CE):
- A powerful Hindu empire that resisted Muslim rule in southern India

British East India Company (1750 CE - 1857 CE):
- Established trade and gradually expanded British rule in India
- Indian Rebellion of 1857 led to the dissolution of the company and the establishment of British Raj
British Raj (1857 CE - 1947 CE):
- India was a British colony, with the British monarch serving as the head of state
- Indian independence movement, led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, eventually led to India's independence in 1947

Indian Independence (1947 CE):
- India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947
- Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India
Republic of India (1950 CE):
- India adopted its constitution and became a republic on January 26, 1950
- The country has since been a democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government

Indus Valley Civilization:
- Flourished in the Indus River Valley (present-day Pakistan and northwestern India)
- Noted for urban planning, architecture, and water management systems
- Major cities: Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Lothal
Vedic Period:
- Characterized by the composition of the Vedas, the oldest Hindu scriptures
- Society divided into four varnas (social classes): Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras
Mauryan Empire:
- Founded by Chandragupta Maurya, who united much of India for the first time
- Ashoka the Great promoted Buddhism and non-violence
Gupta Empire:
- Known as the "Golden Age" of ancient India
- Significant advancements in science, mathematics, astronomy, and literature

Classical Hindu Kingdoms:
- Rajputs, Pala, and Sena kingdoms flourished in northern India
- Chola Empire dominated southern India
Islamic Invasions and Empires:
- Turkic and Afghan invasions led to the establishment of Muslim rule in India
- Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire were prominent Islamic empires
Vijayanagara Empire:
- A powerful Hindu empire that resisted Muslim rule in southern India

British East India Company:
- Established trade and gradually expanded British rule in India
- Indian Rebellion of 1857 led to the dissolution of the company and the establishment of British Raj
British Raj:
- India was a British colony, with the British monarch serving as the head of state
- Indian independence movement, led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, eventually led to India's independence

Indian Independence:
- India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947
- Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India
Republic of India:
- India adopted its constitution and became a republic on January 26, 1950
- The country has since been a democratic republic with a parliamentary system of government