Indian History for UPSC Prelims: Ancient India

Indian History for UPSC Prelims

Ancient India

Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1300 BCE):
- Major cities: Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Lothal
- Characteristics: urban planning, drainage system, trade networks
- Decline: unknown, but drought and invasion theories exist
Vedic Period (1500-500 BCE):
- Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BCE): Rigveda, Indo-Aryan migration
- Later Vedic Period (1000-500 BCE): Brahmanas, Upanishads, caste system
- Major kingdoms: Kuru, Panchala, Videha
Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE):
- Founder: Chandragupta Maurya
- Notable rulers: Bindusara, Ashoka
- Achievements: unified India, Ashoka's dhamma, administrative system

Medieval India

Gupta Empire (320-550 CE):
- Golden Age of India: science, art, literature, and trade
- Notable rulers: Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II
- Achievements: decimal system, astronomy, Ayurveda
Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 CE):
- Five dynasties: Mamluk, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi
- Notable rulers: Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Alauddin Khalji, Muhammad bin Tughlaq
- Achievements: Indo-Islamic architecture, administrative system
Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646 CE):
- Founder: Harihara and Bukka
- Notable rulers: Deva Raya II, Krishnadeva Raya
- Achievements: cultural and economic prosperity, conflict with Deccan Sultanates

Modern India

Mughal Empire (1526-1756 CE):
- Notable rulers: Babur, Akbar, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb
- Achievements: administrative system, architecture, art, and literature
- Decline: Aurangzeb's reign, Maratha and British challenges
British Colonization (1756-1947 CE):
- East India Company: territorial expansion, exploitation
- Indian Rebellion of 1857: Sepoy Mutiny, causes, and consequences
- Nationalist Movement: Indian National Congress, Mahatma Gandhi, and independence

Important Dates and Events

712 CE: Arab invasion of Sindh
1526 CE: Battle of Panipat (Mughal Empire founded)
1757 CE: Battle of Plassey (British colonization begins)
1857 CE: Indian Rebellion of 1857
1885 CE: Indian National Congress founded
1947 CE: Indian Independence

Note: These notes provide a brief overview of the key topics and events in Indian History for UPSC Prelims. They are not exhaustive, and further study is recommended to cover the entire syllabus.

Ancient India

Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1300 BCE) was characterized by urban planning, advanced drainage systems, and extensive trade networks, with major cities including Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Lothal.
The civilization's decline is still unknown, but theories suggest drought and invasion as possible causes.
The Vedic Period (1500-500 BCE) was marked by the Indo-Aryan migration, with the Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BCE) producing the Rigveda and the Later Vedic Period (1000-500 BCE) seeing the development of Brahmanas, Upanishads, and the caste system.
The Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE) was founded by Chandragupta Maurya and saw notable rulers like Bindusara and Ashoka, who promoted the concept of dhamma and established a unified administrative system.

Medieval India

The Gupta Empire (320-550 CE) is often referred to as the Golden Age of India, with significant achievements in science, art, literature, and trade, under notable rulers like Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, and Chandragupta II.
The decimal system, astronomy, and Ayurveda were some of the key contributions of the Gupta Empire.
The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 CE) was marked by the rule of five dynasties: Mamluk, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi, with notable rulers like Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Alauddin Khalji, and Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
The Delhi Sultanate saw the development of Indo-Islamic architecture and an administrative system.
The Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646 CE) was founded by Harihara and Bukka and saw notable rulers like Deva Raya II and Krishnadeva Raya, who promoted cultural and economic prosperity.

Modern India

The Mughal Empire (1526-1756 CE) was founded by Babur and saw notable rulers like Akbar, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb, who promoted administrative systems, architecture, art, and literature.
The Mughal Empire's decline began during Aurangzeb's reign, with challenges from the Maratha and British forces.
The British Colonization (1756-1947 CE) was marked by the territorial expansion and exploitation of the East India Company, leading to the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and the Nationalist Movement, which ultimately led to Indian independence.
The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885, with Mahatma Gandhi playing a key role in the struggle for independence.