April 24, 2025
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Gupta Empire

Sangam Period

Kalinga War

Mauryan Empire

Life of Buddha

Life of Mahavira

Vedic Period

Every Important Event of Indian History

The Great Indian Timeline

c. 3300 - 1700 BCE
Indus Valley Civilization

Flourishing urban civilization in the Indus River Valley; known for planned cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, advanced drainage systems, and trade networks.

c. 2600 BCE
Mature Harappan Phase Begins

The Harappan civilization reaches its mature phase with standardized urban planning, weights, and measures, and widespread trade networks.

c. 1900 BCE
Decline of Indus Valley Civilization

Gradual decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, possibly due to climate change, river shifts, or Aryan migrations.

c. 1500 - 500 BCE
Vedic Period

Aryan migration and composition of the Vedas, the foundational texts of Hinduism; development of early Hindu beliefs and social structures.

c. 1500 - 1200 BCE
Early Vedic Period (Rigvedic Period)

Composition of the Rigveda, the oldest Veda; focus on hymns, rituals, and early Aryan society.

c. 1200 - 500 BCE
Later Vedic Period

Add Description HComposition of the Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda; Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads are also composed; development of the Varna system and complex rituals.ere

c. 6th Century BCE
Rise of Jainism and Buddhism

Emergence of new religions challenging Vedic traditions; founded by Mahavira and Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) respectively, emphasizing non-violence and enlightenment.

599 - 527 BCE (Traditional Dates)
Life of Mahavira

Add DesTraditional dates for the life of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, who codified Jain doctrines.cription Here

c. 563 - 483 BCE (Traditional Dates)
Life of Buddha

Traditional dates for the life of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), the founder of Buddhism, who attained enlightenment and preached his teachings.

c. 322 - 185 BCE
Mauryan Empire

First pan-Indian empire founded by Chandragupta Maurya; reached its peak under Ashoka, known for his conversion to Buddhism and promoting peace.

c. 322 - 298 BCE
Reign of Chandragupta Maurya

Founder of the Mauryan Empire, who defeated the Nanda dynasty and unified much of the Indian subcontinent.

c. 268 - 232 BCE
Reign of Emperor Ashoka

Ashoka's rule in Mauryan Empire marked by expansion and later, adoption of Buddhism after the Kalinga War; promoted Dhamma and social welfare.

c. 261 BCE
Kalinga War

Major war fought by Ashoka against the kingdom of Kalinga; the brutality of the war led to Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism.

c. 1st Century CE
Sangam Period

Flourishing of Tamilakam (ancient Tamil country) with rich literature (Sangam literature), trade, and powerful kingdoms like Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas.

c. 320 - 550 CE
Gupta Empire

Golden Age of India; marked by advancements in science, mathematics, astronomy, literature, and art. Significant cultural and intellectual achievements.

c. 320 - 335 CE
Reign of Chandragupta I

Founder of the Gupta Empire; marked the beginning of Gupta rule and expansion.

c. 335 - 380 CE
Reign of Samudragupta

Gupta emperor known for his military conquests and expansion, often referred to as the "Napoleon of India".

c. 380 - 415 CE
Reign of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya)

Gupta emperor during the peak of the empire's cultural and artistic achievements; Fa Hien's visit occurred during his reign.

606 - 647 CE
Harshavardhana's Reign

King Harsha of Vardhana, the last major Hindu emperor dynasty briefly unified North India; known for his patronage of arts and Buddhism; era followed by regional kingdoms.

8th - 12th Centuries CE
Rajput Kingdoms

Add Description HRise of various Rajput clans in North India, known for their valor and resistance against invaders; period of decentralized power and regional conflicts.ere

985 - 1014 CE
Reign of Raja Raja Chola I

Chola king who expanded the empire, built the Brihadeeswarar Temple, and strengthened naval power, marking Chola dominance in South India and Southeast Asia.

1025 CE
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Chola Naval Expedition to Southeast Asia

Chola navy under Raja Raja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I extends influence into Southeast Asia, demonstrating Chola maritime power.

1192 CE
Second Battle of Tarain

Muhammad Ghori decisively defeats Prithviraj Chauhan, leading to the establishment of Muslim rule in North India.

1206 CE
Establishment of Delhi Sultanate

Qutb-ud-din Aibak establishes the Delhi Sultanate, marking the beginning of Muslim rule in India; started with the Mamluk dynasty.

1296 - 1316 CE
Reign of Alauddin Khalji

Khalji Sultan known for his market reforms, military campaigns, and defense against Mongol invasions.

1325 - 1351 CE
Reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq
Reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq

Tughluq Sultan known for his ambitious and often controversial experiments, including shifting the capital to Daulatabad and introducing token currency.

1336 CE
Foundation of Vijayanagara Empire

Established by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I; a powerful Hindu empire in South India that fostered art, literature, and culture; resisted the Delhi Sultanate's expansion.

1398 CE
Timur's Invasion of Delhi

Timur (Tamerlane), a Turco-Mongol conqueror, sacks Delhi, weakening the Delhi Sultanate and causing widespread destruction.

1469 - 1539 CE
Life of Guru Nanak

Life of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, who preached monotheism and equality.

1498 CE
Vasco da Gama reaches India

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama arrives in Calicut, India, opening a sea route between Europe and India and marking the beginning of European influence.

1526 CE
First Battle of Panipat & Mughal Empire

Babur defeats Ibrahim Lodi, ending the Delhi Sultanate and establishing the Mughal Empire in India; beginning of a new era with Persian and Central Asian influences.

1556 CE
Second Battle of Panipat

Akbar defeats Hemu, solidifying Mughal rule and paving the way for the expansion and consolidation of the Mughal Empire under Akbar.

1565 CE
Battle of Talikota

Decisive battle leading to the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire; weakened the last major Hindu empire in South India and altered the political landscape.

1556 - 1605 CE1556 - 1605 CE
Reign of Akbar

Reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, known for his religious tolerance, administrative reforms, and expansion of the Mughal Empire.

1600 CE
British East India Company Founded

Establishment of the British East India Company; initially for trade, it gradually gained political influence and set the stage for British colonialism.

1606 CE
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Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev

Fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, is martyred by Mughal authorities, a significant event in Sikh history.

1619 CE
Birth of Shivaji Maharaj

Birth of Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha warrior king who challenged Mughal rule and laid the foundation for the Maratha Empire.

1628 - 1658 CE
Reign of Shah Jahan

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's reign, known for its architectural achievements, including the Taj Mahal.

1658 - 1707 CE
Reign of Aurangzeb

Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's reign marked by territorial expansion but also religious policies that led to revolts and contributed to the weakening of the Mughal Empire.

1675 CE
Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur

Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, is martyred by Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam, further hardening Sikh resistance to Mughal rule.

1699 CE
Foundation of Khalsa

Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, establishes the Khalsa, formalizing Sikh identity and militarizing the community.

1707 CE
Death of Aurangzeb

Death of Aurangzeb; marks the beginning of the decline of the Mughal Empire and rise of regional powers.

1739 CE
Nadir Shah's Invasion of Delhi

Persian ruler Nadir Shah invades and sacks Delhi, further weakening the Mughal Empire and carrying away immense wealth, including the Peacock Throne.

1757 CE
Battle of Plassey

Decisive victory of the British East India Company over the Nawab of Bengal; considered the turning point that established British dominance in India.

1761 CE
Third Battle of Panipat

Decisive battle between the Maratha Empire and Afghan forces of Ahmad Shah Abdali; Maratha defeat halted their expansion in North India and paved way for British influence.

1764 CE
Battle of Buxar

Further solidified British power after victory against combined forces; led to the Treaty of Allahabad and the Company gaining Diwani rights (revenue collection) in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

1799 CE
Death of Tipu Sultan

Tipu Sultan of Mysore, a major opponent of the British, is defeated and killed in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, leading to further British expansion in South India.

1849 CE
Annexation of Punjab

The British East India Company annexes the Sikh Empire of Punjab after the Second Anglo-Sikh War, completing British control over India.

1857 CE
Indian Rebellion of 1857

Widespread but ultimately unsuccessful rebellion against British rule; also known as Sepoy Mutiny; led to the end of the East India Company's rule and direct British Raj.

1858 CE
Establishment of British Raj

British Crown takes direct control of India from the East India Company; beginning of formal British colonial rule in India with a Viceroy appointed.

1885 CE
Indian National Congress Founded

Formation of the Indian National Congress; initially aimed at greater Indian participation in government, later became the leading organization in the Indian independence movement.

1905 CE
Partition of Bengal

Add DescripBritish Viceroy Lord Curzon partitions Bengal for administrative reasons, but it is widely seen as an attempt to divide and rule, leading to widespread protests and the Swadeshi Movement.tion Here

1906 CE
Muslim League Founded

The All-India Muslim League is founded to safeguard the rights of Muslims in British India.

1915 CE
Mahatma Gandhi Returns to India

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi returns to India from South Africa and begins his active role in the Indian independence movement, advocating for non-violent resistance (Satyagraha).

1919 CE
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

British troops fire on unarmed civilians in Amritsar, killing hundreds; a pivotal event that intensified the Indian independence movement and public outrage against British rule.

1920 - 1922 CE
Non-Cooperation Movement

Gandhi launches the Non-Cooperation Movement, urging Indians to boycott British institutions and goods; a major phase in the struggle for independence.

1930 CE
Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March)

Gandhi's Salt March to Dandi to protest the salt tax; a significant act of civil disobedience that galvanized the independence movement and drew international attention.

1942 CE
Quit India Movement

Launched by Gandhi, demanding immediate independence from British rule during World War II; a mass movement that put immense pressure on the British government.

1946 CE
Cabinet Mission Plan

British Cabinet Mission proposes a plan for Indian independence while attempting to maintain unity, but ultimately fails to prevent partition.

1947 CE
Indian Independence & Partition

India gains independence from British rule on August 15th; accompanied by the partition of India and Pakistan, leading to widespread communal violence and displacement.

1948 CE
Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, shortly after India gained independence.

1950 CE
Constitution of India adopted

The Constitution of India comes into effect on January 26th, making India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic and guaranteeing fundamental rights to its citizens.

1962 CE
Sino-Indian War

Brief border war between India and China; resulted in Chinese victory and territorial gains, impacting India's foreign policy and defense strategies.

1965 CE
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

War between India and Pakistan over Kashmir; ended in a UN-mandated ceasefire; further strained relations between the two nations.

1966 CE
Green Revolution in India

Introduction of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, modernizing agriculture and significantly increasing food production in India.

1969 CE
Nationalization of Banks

Major banks in India are nationalized by the government of Indira Gandhi, aiming to direct credit to priority sectors like agriculture and small industries.

1971 CE
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 & Liberation of Bangladesh

War leading to the independence of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan); India decisively intervened in support of Mukti Bahini, resulting in Pakistan's defeat and the creation of Bangladesh.

1974 CE
India's First Nuclear Test (Smiling Buddha)
Add Title Here

India conducts its first nuclear test, codenamed "Smiling Buddha," in Pokhran, signaling its nuclear capabilities to the world.

1975 - 1977 CE
The Emergency

Period of emergency rule declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi; civil liberties were suspended and political opponents were arrested; a controversial phase in Indian democracy.

1984 CE
Operation Blue Star & Assassination of Indira Gandhi

Operation Blue Star, a military operation in the Golden Temple, followed by the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, leading to anti-Sikh riots.

1991 CE
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Economic Liberalization

India initiates major economic reforms, moving towards liberalization and globalization; marked by deregulation, privatization, and opening up to foreign investment, transforming the Indian economy.

1992 CE
Demolition of Babri Masjid

Demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya by Hindu nationalist groups, leading to widespread communal violence and long-term political ramifications.

1998 CE
Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests

India conducts a series of nuclear bomb tests in Pokhran, declaring itself a nuclear weapon state; led to international reactions and altered India's strategic position.

1999 CE
Kargil War

Conflict between India and Pakistan in the Kargil region of Kashmir; Indian forces successfully evicted Pakistani intruders; heightened tensions but also demonstrated restraint.

2004 CE
Tsunami in Indian Ocean

A massive tsunami in the Indian Ocean causes widespread devastation in coastal regions of India and other countries.

2008 CE
Mumbai Terror Attacks

Terrorist attacks in Mumbai by Lashkar-e-Taiba, causing significant casualties and highlighting security challenges.

2014 CE
Narendra Modi becomes Prime Minister

Narendra Modi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) becomes Prime Minister of India, ushering in a new era of governance and policy direction with a focus on economic growth and Hindu nationalism.

2016 CE
Demonetization in India
Demonetization in India

The Indian government demonetizes 500 and 1000 rupee banknotes in an attempt to curb black money, counterfeit currency, and promote digital transactions.

2019 CE
Revocation of Article 370

The Indian government revokes Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

2020 CE
COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic reaches India, causing a major health crisis, economic disruption, and social challenges; lockdowns and vaccination drives are implemented.

All Articles

History

Reign of Chandragupta Maurya

Chandragupta Maurya (reigned c. 322 – 298 BCE) was the founder of the Mauryan Empire, the first major empire to.

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History

Reign of Chandragupta I

Chandragupta I, who reigned from approximately 320 to 335 CE, is widely regarded as the first significant ruler of the.

Read More
History

Gupta Empire

The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire that existed from the early 4th century CE to the late 6th.

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History

Sangam Period

The Sangam Period, a classical era of Tamil history and literature in South India, flourished roughly between the 3rd century.

Read More
History

Kalinga War

The Kalinga War was a major military conflict fought in ancient India around 261 BCE between the Mauryan Empire under.

Read More
History

Reign of Emperor Ashoka

The reign of Emperor Ashoka (c. 268 – 232 BCE) marks a transformative period in the history of the Mauryan.

Read More
History

Mauryan Empire

The Mauryan Empire was a geographically extensive and powerful political entity in ancient India, flourishing from 322 to 185 BCE..

Read More
History

Life of Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama, traditionally dated to approximately 563 - 483 BCE, was a spiritual teacher from ancient India and the founder.

Read More
History

Life of Mahavira

Introduction Mahavira, traditionally dated to 599 – 527 BCE, was the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher and “ford-maker”) of.

Read More
History

Rise of Jainism and Buddhism

The 6th century BCE in ancient India marked a period of profound intellectual and spiritual ferment, often referred to as.

Read More

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