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An overview of Indian history across the three broad eras — major dynasties, rulers and landmark events. A high-yield quick reference for competitive exams.
| Period / Dynasty | Time | Key Rulers / Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Indus Valley Civilization | c. 2500–1750 BCE | Harappa & Mohenjo-daro; Bronze Age; planned towns & drainage |
| Vedic Age | c. 1500–600 BCE | Composition of the Vedas; Aryan society |
| Mahajanapadas | c. 600 BCE | 16 great kingdoms; Magadha the most powerful |
| Haryanka Dynasty | c. 544–412 BCE | Bimbisara, Ajatashatru (Magadha) |
| Maurya Empire | 322–185 BCE | Chandragupta Maurya (Kautilya's Arthashastra); Ashoka & the Kalinga War |
| Gupta Empire | c. 320–550 CE | Samudragupta, Chandragupta II; the "Golden Age" of India |
| Vardhana Dynasty | c. 606–647 CE | Harshavardhana; last great empire of ancient north India |
Religions: Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha (born at Lumbini); Jainism was propagated by Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara.
| Dynasty | Period | Founder / Notable Rulers |
|---|---|---|
| Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty | 1206–1290 | Qutb-ud-din Aibak; Iltutmish; Razia Sultana |
| Khilji Dynasty | 1290–1320 | Jalal-ud-din Khilji; Alauddin Khilji |
| Tughlaq Dynasty | 1320–1414 | Ghiyasuddin, Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq, Firoz Shah Tughlaq |
| Sayyid Dynasty | 1414–1451 | Khizr Khan |
| Lodi Dynasty | 1451–1526 | Bahlol Lodi; Ibrahim Lodi (defeated at Panipat, 1526) |
| Ruler / Kingdom | Period | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Babur | 1526–1530 | First Battle of Panipat (1526); founded the Mughal Empire |
| Akbar | 1556–1605 | Din-i-Ilahi; Mansabdari system; religious tolerance |
| Shah Jahan | 1628–1658 | Built the Taj Mahal; peak of Mughal architecture |
| Aurangzeb | 1658–1707 | Mughal Empire at its greatest territorial extent |
| Vijayanagara Empire | 1336–1646 | Founded by Harihara & Bukka; peak under Krishnadevaraya |
| Maratha Empire | 1674–1818 | Founded by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj |
Note: The Bhakti and Sufi movements flourished during this period, promoting devotion and religious harmony.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1498 | Vasco da Gama reaches Calicut — sea route to India |
| 1600 | English East India Company established |
| 1757 | Battle of Plassey — Robert Clive defeats Siraj-ud-Daula |
| 1764 | Battle of Buxar — strengthens British power in Bengal |
| 1857 | Revolt of 1857 (First War of Independence) |
| 1858 | End of Company rule; India comes under the British Crown |
Freedom struggle: for the post-1857 national movement, see the Indian National Movement reference.