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Essential Indian History Study Materials for Competitive Exams
Ancient India
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What is History? The study of the Past is called ‘History’. The English word ‘History is derived from the Greek word ‘historia’, meaning research, inquiry, or investigation. The Greek histori
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Historical sources provide information about events of the past. They are mainly of two types: Literary Sources—These are written records such as religious texts, historical writings, and biographies. Archaeologic
Africa was the original homeland of humans. For this reason, Africa is often referred to as "the Cradle of Humankind." The following two theories are prevalent in connection with human evolution and development: the Unitary Orig
During the early period of humans, some archaeological evidence was found in which stone implements were found in great numbers. That's why this period is called the Lithic Age, Le Stone Age. The Lithic Age/the Stone Age is divided into three
Definition & Features Derived from Greek: Chalco (Copper) + Lithic (Stone) = Copper-Stone Age. Marked by the use of copper alongside stone tools. The transitional phase from Neolithic to metal use. First use o
Origin of the Aryans The origin of the Aryans is debated. Some scholars say they were indigenous to India, while others argue they migrated from regions like Central Asia (as per Max Muller), Europe, or even the Arctic (B.G. Tilak). The mo
The Mahajanapadas were sixteen great kingdoms or republics in ancient India during the 6th century BCE. These are mentioned in Buddhist (Anguttara Nikaya, Mahavastu) and Jain (Bhagavati Sutta) texts. S. 16 Ma
Various religious movements viz. Buddhism, Jainismetc. were bom and grew up in the Post-Vedic Period known as the Period of Second Urbanisation or the Age of Buddha (6th Century BC to 4th Century BC). Causes of Religious Movements 1.
The Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE) was one of the most powerful and centralized empires in Indian history, founded by Chandragupta Maurya and reaching its zenith under Emperor Ashoka. But how do we know so much about an empire that existed
I. Native Successors of the Mauryas Sunga Dynasty: 185 BC – 73 BC [Capital – Vidisha (M.P.)]The The Sunga Dynasty was established by Pushyamitra Sunga, a Brahmin Commander-in-Chief of the last Mauryan ruler named Brihadr
Three Early Kingdoms Kingdom Emblem Capital First Ruler Famous Ruler The Chera Bow Vanjji/Karayur; Main Ports Muzris and
Rise of the Guptas Emergence of a New Dynasty In the 4th Century AD, the Guptas, a new dynasty, arose in Magadha and established a large kingdom over the greater part of Northern India (though their empire was not as large as that of
Foundation of the Dynasty The Pushyabhuti or Vardhana dynasty was founded at Thanesar (Kurukshetra district, Hiuen Tsang) by Pushyabhuti probably towards the beginning of the 6th century. Pushyabhuti were the feudatories of the G
Brahmanic (Hindu) texts are sacred Hindu scriptures that form the core of Vedic literature. They are broadly classified into Shruti (heard) and Smriti (remembered) texts, reflecting religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions of ancient
The Buddhist texts are divided into two categories: Pali texts & Anupali Texts. Important Pali Texts Among Pali texts, Tripitaka, Deep Vansha & Mahavansh, "Milind pannaho", etc, are important texts. The Tripitaka is
Lack of Pure Historical Texts Although there is no such text of ancient India that can be properly called a historical text, because almost every text had been written in a literary or religious colour, there are certain texts in which some hi
Biographical writers took the lives of their royal patrons as the theme of their literary works. So the biographical texts cannot be regarded as genuine history, although they contain some valuable historical information. Their main object
It is remarkable, Alexander's invasions find no mention in Indian sources, and it is totally on the basis of the Greek sources that we have to reconstruct the history of his Indian invasions. Greek Writers of Pre-Alexandrian Time The na
Chinese Writers Suma Chien Suma Chien (145 BC- 85 BC) was the first Chinese writer who wrote about India in his text "Historical Memoirs". Pan Kou & Fanye (378-445 AD) "Annals of the Earlier Hans,&q
A Sulaiman (851 AD) A Sulaiman (851 AD) was an Arab merchant. He was the first Arab traveller whose travel account is available. He sailed to all coastal areas of India. He came to India in 851 AD during the reign of the Pratihar
Beginning of Archaeology in India In India, archaeology-related activities were started by Europeans. Eminent orientalist Sir William Jones (1746-94 AD) founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal (Calcutta) in 1784 AD. Early C
Inscriptions are the most important sources among Archaeological Sources. Inscriptions are divided into two groups – Foreign and Indigenous. 1. Foreign Inscriptions Boghatkoi Inscription (1380 BC) The Boghazkoi Inscription
Ashokan Inscriptions To date, 40 Ashokan inscriptions have been found. In Ashokan inscriptions, only Karuwaki among his queens and only Teevar among his children have been mentioned. In Ashokan inscriptions, the word &qu
Heliodorus's Besnagar Garud Pillar Inscription (Second half of 2nd century BC) Location: This pillar inscription is situated in Besnagar village (Bhilsa district, Madhya Pradesh). Details: This inscribed pillar wa
Inscriptions of the Gupta Period Samudragupta's Prayag (Allahabad) Prashasa Inscription (360 AD): This pillar inscription stands inside the fort at Allahabad and not in its original place, Prayag (Kosambi). The Prashasti (
Pulkeshin-II's Aihole Prashasti Inscription It is inscribed in the Vishnu temple at Aihole in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka state. It is an eulogy and was written by the court poet of Pulkeshin-II and Jain follower Ravik
Meaning of the Mesolithic Age The term 'Mesolithic' is the combination of two Greek words, Meso (= Middle) and Lithic (= Stone). Thus, the meaning of the Mesolithic Age is Middle Stone Age. Being an intermediate stage between P
Meaning of Neolithic The term 'Neolithic' is the combination of two Greek words, Neo (New) and Lithic (Stone). Thus, the meaning of the Neolithic Age is New Stone Age. Discovery of Neolithic Archaeological Materials in In
State-wise descriptions of Neolithic Sites are as follows: State Site (Archeological Remains) Beluchistan (Pakistan) Situated in the Bolan district, the Mehangarh is the earl
The term "Chalcolithic" is the combination of two Greek words: Chalco (Copper) & Lithic (= Stone). Thus, the meaning of the Chalco-Lithic Age is Copper-Stone Age. Use of Copper and Stone Implements In that age,
The age in which men used implements of iron is known as the 'Iron Age'. The 'Iron Age' in the world context began about 1,300 BC. The use of iron in India also began around this period. Sub-Ages of the Iron Age in India
The names of the cultures associated with the Iron Age are—Painted Grey Ware (PGW) Culture, Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) Culture, and Megalith Culture (South India). These cultures are called 'Iron-using Cultures'. 1. Pain
Names of the Civilizations The oldest name is – Indus Civilization. According to archaeological tradition, the most appropriate name – Harappan Civilization (Harappa was the first site from which a city buried
Original Home of the Aryan The location of the original home of the Aryans remains a controversial issue. Some scholars believe that the Aryans were native to the soil of India. Some other scholars believe that the Aryans
Sources of Knowledge Rig Veda is the only source of knowledge for this period. Geographical Area From the names of rivers, mountains (Himvant, i.e, Himalaya, Munjavan,t i.e., Hindukush) and the ocean in the RigVeda, we h
Geographical Area During the later Vedic Period, the Aryan settlements covered virtually the whole of Northern India. – Aryavarta The centre of culture now shifted from Saraswati to Ganges (Madhya desa). There was menti
Bimbisara (Shronika): 544 BC – 492 BC He was the founder of the Haryanka dynasty. Magadha came into prominence under the leadership of Bimbisara. He was a contemporary of Gautama Buddha. He married the princ
Various religious movements, viz. Buddhism, Jainism, etc. were born and grew up in the Post-Vedic Period known as the Period of Second Urbanisation or the Age of Buddha (6th Century BC to 4th Century BC). Causes of Religious Movements
Buddha's Life Birth and Background of Gautama Buddha Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism, was born in 563 BC (widely accepted), on the Vaisakha Purnima day at Lumbinivana (Rummindehi District, Nepal) in the Sakya Kshatriya clan.
1. Literary Sources Kautilya’s "Arthasastra" The title "Arthasastra" means "The science of material gain" (for a state, not a person). It is the most important literary source for the Maur
Different Views on Mauryan Origins The Puranas describe them as Shudras. 'Mudrakshasa' of Vishakhadatta uses the terms Vrishal / Kulhina (of low clan). The Classical writers, such as Justin, describe Chandragupta
I. Central Administration The King The Mauryan government was a centralised bureaucracy of which the nucleus was the king. According to Kautilya/Chanakya, there are 7 elements of states (Saptanga theory) — Raja
Gupta Administration Centralisation vs. Decentralisation Centralised control was not as fully realized under the Guptas as it had been under the Mauryas. The Guptan administration thus was highly decentralised, and as patrimon
Medieval India
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North India (Rajput Period) Overview After Harshavardhana, the Rajputs emerged as a powerful force in Northern India and dominated the Indian political scene for nearly 500 years from the 7th century. 10 Importan
The Background of the Delhi Sultanate Mohammad Bin Qasim's Invasion (712 AD) Mohammad Bin Qasim invaded India in 712 AD and conquered Sindh, which became the province of the Omayyad Khilafat. First Turk Invasion – Ma
Foundation of the Empire Vijayanagar kingdom and the city were founded by Harihar and Bukka (sons of Sangama) who were feudatories of Kakatiyas and later became ministers in the court of Kampili. Vijayanagar kingdom lay in the De
I. Bhakti Movement Core Belief The Bhakti movement was based on the doctrine that the relationship between God and man is through love and worship rather than through performing any ritual or religious ceremonies. Origin and G
Sur Empire (1540–1555) Sher Shah Suri (1540–1545) Son of Hasan Khan, Jagirdar of Sasaram. Defeated Humayun at: Battle of Chausa (1539) – assumed the title Sher Shah. Battle of Kannauj/B
Shivaji: 1674-80 Born at Shivneri Fort in 1627. Father- Shahji Bhonsle, Mother-Jija Bai, ReligiousTeacher- Samarth Ramdas. Shivaji inherited the Jagir of Poona from his father in 1637. After the death of his guardian, Dadaji Kondadev, in
Overview of European Companies Company East Headquarters / Capital Portuguese East India Company 1498 Cochin (1510-30), Goa (1530-1961)
Jaluddin Khilji: 1290-96 Jalaluddin Khilji founded the Khilji dynasty. Alauddin Khilji: 1296-1316 He was a nephew and son-in-law of Jalaluddin Khilji. Alauddin Khilji killed him and succeeded to the throne in 1296.
The Tughlaq Dynasty: 1320-1414 AD Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq: 1320-25 Khusrau Khan, the last king of the Khilji dynasty, was killed by Ghazi Malik. Ghazi Malik ascended the throne, assuming the title Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. He died in a
The Sayyid Dynasty: 1414–50 AD Khizr Khan (1414–21) Timur's nominee captured Delhi and was proclaimed the new Sultan. He was the first of the Sayyid dynasty, which ruled over Delhi and the surrounding districts
Babur: 1526–30 Foundation of the Mughal Rule The foundation of the Mughal rule in India was laid by Babur in 1526. He was a descendant of Timur (from the side of his father) and Chengiz Khan (from the side of his mother)
Sher Shah (1540–45) He was the son of Hasan Khan, the Jagirdar of Sasaram. Ibrahim Lodhi transferred his father's jagir to him. In 1527–28, he joined Babur's service and then returned to South Bihar as
Akbar, the eldest son of Humayun, ascended the throne under the title of Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar Badshah Ghazi at the young age of 14 at Kalanaur, Punjab. His tutor, Bairam Khan, was appointed as the regent. Second Battle of Panipat &nd
Jahangir (1605–1627) Salim, son of Akbar, came to the throne after Akbar died in 1605. He issued 12 ordinances. Known for strict administration of justice: Established Zanjir-i-Adal (Chain of Justice) at
Later Mughals Bahadur Shah I (1707–1712) Original Name: Muazzam Title: Alam I Jahandar Shah (1712–1713) Ascended the throne with the help of Zulfikar Khan Abolished Jaziya Farrukh S
Mughal Culture Babur built two mosques: One at Kabulibagh in Panipat Another at Sambhal in Rohilkhand Humayun's tomb was built by his widow Bega Begum (alias Haji Begum) An unusual buildi
Shivaji (1674–80) Early Life Born at Shivneri Fort in 1627. Father - Shahji Bhonsle, Mother - Jija Bai, Religious Teacher - Samarth Ramdas. Shivaji inherited the Jagir of Poona from his father in 1637. Af
Baji Rao I (1720–1740) Baji Rao, the eldest son of Balaji Viswanath, succeeded him as Peshwa at the young age of 20. He was considered the greatest exponent of guerrilla tactics after Shivaji, and Maratha power reached its
Modern India
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Bengal Murshid Quli Khan (1717-27) In 1717, Murshid Quli Khan was appointed as Bengal's Subedar, i.e,. Governed by the Mughal emperor Farrukh Siyar. Grant of the Governorship of Orissa also to him by Farrukh Siyar in 1719
Three Stages of British Colonialism First phase - The Mercantile phase (1757-1813) The East India Company used its political power to monopolize trade and dictate terms to the traders of Bengal. The imposition of inflated pric
Socio-Religious Movements and Organisations Year Place Name of the Organisation Founder 1815 Calcutta Atmiya Sabha Rammo
The Revolt of 1857 in an important landmark in the history of India, which occurred during the governor-generalship of Lord Canning. Causes of the Revolt 1. Political Causes Nana Sahib was refused a pension, as he was the a
Important Organisations before Congress S. No. Organisation Place Year Founder(s) 1 Landholders Society Calcutta
Reasons for the Emergence of Extremists Realization that the true nature of British rule was exploitative. International influences and events that demolished the myth of White/European supremacy. These included: Ab
In South Africa: 1893-1914 1893 Departure of Gandhi to South Africa, he experienced racial discrimination in various forms. A famous incident, Gandhi was thrown off the first-class co
Important Dates I. ANCIENT INDIA BC 2500-1750 Indus Valley Civilization. 563-483 Buddha's life-span.
Rowlatt Act (1919) During the viceroyalty of Lord Chelmsford, a sedition committee was appointed by the government in 1918, with Justice Rowlatt, which made certain recommendations to curb seditious activities in India. The Rowla
Swaraj Party (1923) Background Gandhi's decision to call off the agitation caused frustration among the masses. His decision came in for severe criticism from his colleagues like Motilal Nehru, C. R. Das and N.C. Kelkar,
First Round Table Conference (1930) It was held in London on November 12, 1930, to discuss the Simon Commission, but was boycotted by the Indian National Congress. The Commission had proposed self-government in the provinces
