History of India Quiz

11 Questions

Modern India began with the arrival of the British East India Company in India in ______

1611

Over the next few centuries, the British expanded their control over large parts of India, establishing the British Raj by the mid-19th ______

century

Various forms of resistance against British colonial rule took place, including the Indian Rebellion of ______

1857

In the early 20th century, figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose played crucial roles in the struggle for ______

independence

On August 15, 1947, India gained its independence from British rule and became a sovereign ______

nation

The first major civilization in India was the Indus Valley ______

Civilization

The Vedas, the oldest scriptures in Hinduism, were composed during the emergence of the Vedic ______

Civilization

In the 6th century BCE, Mahavira founded ______

Jainism

Emperor Ashoka adopted ______ and propagated it throughout his empire

Buddhism

The Maurya Empire declined after the ______ War

Kalinga

From the 12th century CE onwards, medieval India saw the rise of regional powers like the Delhi ______

Sultanate

Study Notes

History of India

India is one of the world's oldest civilizations, with a history dating back over 5,000 years. Its historical period can be broadly divided into two phases - ancient India and modern India.

Ancient India

The Indus Valley Civilization, which existed from around 3300 BCE until 1900 BCE, was the first major civilization in India. This highly urbanized society had well-planned cities like Harappa, Mohenjo Daro, Dholavira, and Rupar.

Around 1500 BCE, the Vedic civilization emerged along the Sarasvati River. The Vedas, the oldest scriptures in Hinduism, were composed during this time. By 600 BCE, several Janapadas or kingdoms had evolved across northern India.

In the 6th century BCE, Mahavira and Buddha lived, teaching new moral values. Mahavira founded Jainism, while Buddha's teachings led to the emergence of Buddhism. Magadha became a significant power under Emperor Ashoka. He adopted Buddhism and propagated it throughout his empire through edicts known as Asokan Pillars.

The Maurya Empire declined after the Kalinga War, leading to the rise of the Shunga Empire. During their rule, Indian astronomy flourished, with astronomical instruments being used in daily life.

Medieval India

From the 12th century CE onwards, medieval India saw the rise of regional powers like the Delhi Sultanate, the Bengal Sultanate, and the Vijayanagara Empire. These periods also marked the spread of Islam in India.

Modern India

Modern India began with the arrival of the British East India Company in India in 1611. Over the next few centuries, they expanded their control over large parts of India, establishing the British Raj by the mid-19th century.

During the 19th century, various forms of resistance against British colonial rule took place, including the Indian Rebellion of 1857. In the early 20th century, figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose played crucial roles in the struggle for independence.

Finally, on August 15, 1947, India gained its independence from British rule and became a sovereign nation. Since then, India has transformed into the seventh-largest economy in the world. It continues to be a vibrant democracy with diverse cultures and languages.