Ancient India

Introduction - Indian History

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 historian Herodotu

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Historical Sources (Literary & Archaeological Source)

The sources that give information about the events of past time are known as 'Historical Sources'. There are two types of historical sources - Literary Sources and Archaeological Sources. Compared to Literary sources Archeological so

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Pre-Historic Period (30,00,000 BC - 600 BC) Human Evolution

Africa was the original homeland of humans. For this reason Africa is called 'the Cradle of Humankind'. The following two theories are prevalent in connection with human evolution & development—Unitary origin theory &a

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The Stone Age/Lithic Age 30,00,000 BC - 1,000 BC (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic)

About early period of human, some archaeological evidence were found in which stone implements are in great amount. That’s why this period is called Lithic Age i.e, Stone Age. Lithic Age/ the Stone Age is divided into three period –&

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Pre Harappan, Harappan, Post Harappan Age/Calco-Lithic Age (3,500 BC - 1,000 BC)

The term 'Chalcolithic' is the combination of two Greek words Chaleo (Copper) & Lithic (Stone). Thus the meaning of Chalcolithic Age is Copper-Stone Age. In that age men used copper implements alongwith stone implements, the age is k

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Vedic Period (Vedic, Rig Vedic, Later Vedic Period) - 1500 BC - 600 BC Original Homo of The Aryan

The location of the original home of the Aryans still remains a controversial issue. Some scholars believe that the Aryans were native to the soil of India and some other scholars believe that the Aryans were migrated from outside [Centrall As

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Mahajanapada Period (600 BC-325 BC)

S. 16 Mahajanapadas (Modern Area) Capital 1 Anga (districts of Munger and Bhagalpur in Bihar) Champa/Champanagari   2

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Religious Movements (600 BC - 400 BC) – Jainism, Buddhism

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. 

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Maurya Period (322 BC - 155 BC)

Sources for Mauryan History 1. Literary Sources Kautilya’s’ Arthasastra’: The title Arthasastra means 'The science of material gain’ (fore a state not a person) it is the most important literary source for th

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Post-Maurya/Pre-Gupta Period (185BC-319 AD)

I. Native Successors of Mauryas Sunga Dynasty : 185 BC – 73 BC [Capital – Vidisha (M.P.)] Sunga Dynasty was established by Pushyamitra Sunga, a Brahmin Commander-in-Chief of the last Mauryan ruler named Brihadratha in 185

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The Sangam Period (1st-3rd Century AD)

Three Early Kingdoms Kingdom Emblem Capital First Ruler Famous Ruler The Chera Bow Vanjji/Karayur; Main Ports Muzris and Ton

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Gupta Period (319 AD - 540 AD)

In 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 the Maury as). Their rule lasted for more than 200 years.

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Post-Gupta Period/Vardhana Dynasty (550 AD - 647 AD)/Pushyabhuti

The Pushyabhuti or Vardhana dynasty was founded at Thanes war (Kurukshetra district, Huyntui) by Pushyabhuti probably towards the beginning of the 6th century. Pushyabhuti were the feudatories of the Guptas, but has assumed independence after

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Medieval India

Early Medieval Period (650 AD-1206 AD)/ Rajput Period & Cholas

I. North India (Rajputa Period) After Harshavardhana, the Rajputas emerged as a powerful force in Northern India and dominated the Indian Political scene for nearly 500 years from the 7th century.        

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Sultanate Period (1206-1526AD) - The Delhi Sultanate

The Background of Delhi Sultanate First Muslim Invasion-Mohammad Bin Qasim's Invasion (712AD): Mohammad Bin Qasim invaded India in 712 AD and conquered Sindh which became the province of Omayyad Khilafat. First Turk Invasion-Mahmu

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Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1565 AD) & The Other KIngdoms

VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE: 1336-1565 AD Vijayanagar kingdom and the city were founded by Harihar and Bukka (sons of Sangama) who were feudatories of Kakatiyas and later became minister in the court of Kampili. Vijayanagar kingdom lay in the Decc

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Religious Movements in 15th -16th Centuries ( Bhakti & Sufi Movements)

I. Bhakti Movement 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. It was in South India for the first

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Mughal Period (1526-1540 and 1555-1857)

Babur: 1526-30 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. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the first battle

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Maratha State (1674-1720) and Maratha Confederacy (1720-1818)

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

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The Advent of the Europeans (Portuguese, Dutch, French, East India Company)

Company East Head Quarter / Capital Portuguese East India Company 1498 Cochin (1510-30), Goa (1530-1961) English East India Compa

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Modern India

Expansion of British Power (In the context of Bengal, Mysore, Punjab etc.)

Bengal Murshild Quli Khan (1717-27): In 1717, Murshid Quli Khan was appointed as Bengal's Subedar i.e. governor by Mughal emperor Farrukh Siyar. Grant of the Governorship of Orissa also to him by Farrukh Siyar in 1719. He transferred the ca

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Economic Impact of British Rule

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. Imposition of inflated prices of goods led to

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Socio-Religious Movements in 19th-20th Centuries

Socio-Religious Movements and Organisations Year Place Name of the Organisation Founder 1815 Calcutta Atmiya Sabha Rammoha

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Lower Caste/Caste Movements and Organisations

Movement/  Organisation Year Place Founder Satya Shodhak Samaj 1873 Maharashtra Jyotiba Phule Arav

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Moderate Phase (1885-1905) - Indian National Congress

Important Organisations before Congress S. Organisation Place Year Founder (s) 1 Landholders Society Calcutta

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Extremist Phase (1905-1917)

Reasons for the Emergence of Extremists: 1. Realization that the true nature of British rule was exploitative. 2. International influences and events which demolished the myth of White/European supremacy. These included Abyssinia/Ethopia's

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The Gandhian Era (1917-47) Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948): Chronologic Overview

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948): Chronologic Overview In South Africa: 1893-1914 1893 Departure of Gandhi to South Africa, Experiences racial discrimination in various forms; a famous incidence Gan

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Miscellaneous - Indian History

Important Dates I. ANCIENT INDIA BC   2500-1750  Indus Valley Civilization. 563-483 Buddha's life-span.

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