Indian History Timeline: Ancient, Medieval & Modern History Timeline-UPSC Notes

The history of India is long, deep and wide. Indian history reveals the progress of civilisations for thousands of years. The story of each period is different from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the current day India. The timeline of Indian history shows how civilisations grew over thousands of years. The chronology of Indian history is what many students wish to know in order to pass an examination such as UPSC. The events should be comprehended in sequence. And here comes the chronology of Indian helpful history. The following paper is going to present you with the essentials about the events and the rulers in Indian history. The article consists of simple words and short sentences and concentrates on topics that are useful to UPSC.

Indian History Timeline (UPSC History): Download PDF Here!

The Timeline of Indian History is broadly divided into three categories – Ancient History, Medieval History, & Modern History. By studying the Indian History Timeline, the aspirants can have a good hold over the series of important events in Ancient History to Modern History.

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You can also register for the Testbook’s flagship optional history coaching for UPSC and kick-start your UPSC IAS preparation journey today. Check the following article on the Timeline of Indian History to learn the chronology of Indian history. This will be very beneficial for the aspirants for UPSC Exam. You can also get the UPSC Previous Year Question Papers from here.

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What is the Timeline of Indian History?

The sequence of events that occurred in India, both in past and today, is the timeline of Indian history. It reveals how India transformed over thousands of years. It begins withthe Indus Valley Civilisation and passes along the Vedic period, the Mauryan Empire, the Gupta Empire, the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal Empire, British rule and then independent India.

Indian history follows a chronological order, and it is an important aspect as it facilitates easier learning. It presents a vivid impression of the way one event caused the other one. An example is that the defeat of the Mauryan Empire resulted in the emergence of small kingdoms that enabled the expansion of new empires.

With the awareness of the chronology of Indian history, it is easier to draw some links between various time frames. It even makes students write better answers in exams such as UPSC, whereby facts and the sequence of facts are very important in an exam.

• The Indian Ancient History Timeline roughly tells us about the beginning of the earliest cultures, agriculture, and civilisation in the country. It was during this period that the Pre-Aryans, the Indo-Aryans, the Greeks, the Hunas, the Scythians, etc invaded India and made it their homeland.
• The Indian Medieval History Timeline begins with the eighth century when there was political disunity in different parts of the country. Important dynasties such as Khaljis, Tughlaqa, and Mughals were established during this period.
• The Indian Modern History Timeline marks the arrival of Europeans one after the other and the beginning of their commerce on a large scale. The series of historic events, right from falling under British rule to achieving independence, comes under the modern history timeline.

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The earliest settlements of humanity to the dawn of classical Indian empires are discussed in Ancient History of India (Pre-History to 700 CE). It starts with the Stone Age, then takes up the Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, the rise of Mahajanapadas and, the Mauryan and Gupta Empires. It was during this period that tremendous changes were witnessed in religion, social life as well as governance that led to early Indian civilization. The Chronology of Ancient Indian History is explained in the points below:

Paleolithic Age (2 million BC – 10,000 BC)

• The Paleolithic Period had Limestone-based fire-starting tools.
• This Period also had Eggs from ostriches.
• The people of Paleolithic Age lived in the caves built out of natural rock shelters.
• Bhimbetka (MP), Hunsgi, Kurnool Caves, Narmada Valley (Hathnora, MP), and Kaladgi are all important Paleolithic sites.

Mesolithic Age (10,000–8,000 BC)

• Domestication of animals, i.e. cattle rearing began when the demand of animal among the population increased.
• The use of more refined and smaller stone tools was there in prevalence during the Mesolithic Period.
• Major sites of the Mesolithic Age are Brahmagiri (Mysore), Narmada, Vindya, Gujarat.

Also, read Legislations In British India here!

Neolithic Age (8000 BC – 4,000 BC)

• Agriculture began when the wheel was discovered.
• An early settlement called Inamgaon.
• People began to live in urban areas during the Neolithic age.
• Burzahom (Kashmir), Gufkral (Kashmir), Mehrgarh (Pakistan), Chirand (Bihar), Daojali Hading (Tripura/Assam), Koldihwa (UP), Mahagara (UP), Hallur (AP), Paiyampalli (AP), Maski, Kodekal, Sangana Kaller, Utnur, and Takkala Kota) are important Neolithic sites.

 Chalcolithic Age (4000 BC – 1500 BC)

• It is known as the ‘Age of Copper’.
• Chalcolithic Age also contained the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Brahmagiri, Navada Toli (Narmada region), Mahishadal (West Bengal), and Chirand also have civilizations (Ganga region).

Empire of the Mauryans (321-185 BC)

• Chandra Gupta was a powerful emperor in the Mauryan Empire. 
• Ashoka and Bindusara are other important Mauryan rulers.
• Sunga (181-71 BC), Kanva (71-27 BC), Satavahanas (235-100 BC), Indo-Greeks, Parthians (19-45 AD), Sakas (90BC-150AD), Kushanas and Parthians were among the foreign powers that rose to power in the post-Mauryan period.

Gupta Era

• Important rulers under the Gupta dynasty are Chandragupta I, Samudra Gupta, Chandra Gupta II, Kumaragupta I.
• Vakatakas, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Harshvardana. Hunas, Maitrakas, Rajputs, Senas, and Chauhans were among the other dynasties that rose to power during the Gupta period.

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The Iron Age

• Vedic Period (Aryan Arrival, BC 1600–BC 600) – Nearly 1000 years from the arrival of the Aryans (Basic books of Hinduism, ie Vedas were composed, might have been written down later).
• Buddhism and Jainism are two different religions.
• On the banks of the Ganga, the Mahajanapadas were a major civilization after the Indus Valley.
• Bimbisara of the Haryanka Kula Sisunga dynasty – Kalasoka – Magadha empire (Kakavarnin)
• Mahapadma-Nanda and Dhana-Nanda were the rulers of the Nanda empire.
• Alexander the Great, Persian-Greek, 327 BC.

Empire of the Mauryans (321-185 BC)

• Chandra Gupta was a powerful emperor in the Mauryan Empire. Asoka, Maurya, Bindusara
• Sunga (181-71 BC), Kanva (71-27 BC), Satavahanas (235-100 BC), Indo-Greeks, Parthians (19-45 AD), Sakas (90BC-150AD), Kushanas, Parthians (78AD)
  Chola, Chera, and Pandya kingdoms in South India (BC 300)
• Classical Period: Gupta Kingdom (300 AD – 800 AD)
• Important rulers under the Gupta dynasty: Gupta, Samudra (Indian Napoleon)

Guptas of the Post-Gupta Era

• Harshvardana, Vakatakas, Pallavas, Chalukyas. Hunas, Maitrakas, Rajputs, Senas, and Chauhans are also among them.

Also, read UPSC Geology Optional Previous Year Question Paper here!

Medieval History of India(700 CE to 1857 CE)

Medieval History of India (700 CE - 1857 CE) is characterized by the emergence of local kingdoms and a wave of Islamic invasions as well as such strong empires as the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. The era registered a significant transition in politics, culture, art and religion. It culminated with the fall of the Mughals and with the emergence of the British power following the Revolt of 1857.

• Muhammed Bin Kassim is attacked by the Prathiharas, Palas, and Rashtrakutas around AD 800-1200. (AD 712)
• Islam’s and Sufism’s Ascension
• Mohammed Ghazni was born in the city of Ghazni (AD 1000-27)
• Ghori Mohammed (AD 1175-1206)
• South Indian kingdoms Bhamini and Vijayanagara were two of the most powerful kingdoms in medieval India.
• Sultanate of Delhi (1206 AD – 1526 AD)
• During the Delhi Sultanate, the following dynasties flourished one after the other:
• Mughals (AD 1526 – AD 1857) Kilji Dynasty Tuglaq Dynasty Sayyid Dynasty Lodi Dynasty
• Mughals from Babar (1526) to Aurangazeb (1707) were more powerful than earlier Mughals, and so were known as Great Mughals.
• Later Mughals were Mughals who governed from 1707 to 1857.
• The arrival of Europeans Other North Indian kingdoms – Marathas and Sikhs

भारतीय इतिहास का कालक्रम के बारे में आप हिंदी भाषा में भी पढ़ सकते हैं!

Modern History of India(Post 1857 CE)

The era after the Revolt of 1857 is the Modern History of India (Post 1857 CE) after which the British Crown rule replaces the Mughal rule. It entails the emergence of Indian nationalism, the birth of the Indian National Congress and the important movements by Gandhi and others. This comes to an end with the attainment of independence in India 1947 and subsequent framing of the Indian Constitution in 1950. The Chronology of Modern Indian History are listed below;

• First War of Indian Independence (1857)
• Formation of Indian National Congress (1885)
• Formation of Muslim League (1906)
• Non-Co-operation Movement (1920)
• Civil Disobedience Movement (1930)
• Quit India Movement (1942)
• Partition of India (1947)
• Constitutional Development of India (1946 – 1950)
• Economic Development of India
• Wars – India-Pak – Formation of Bangladesh; India- China
• New Economic Policy of 1991

Also, read the Impact of British Rule on India here!

The Timeline Of Indian History

The Timeline of Indian History presents the path of India since its ancient times till now. It covers empires, movements and historical events of ancient, medieval and modern ages. This chronology gives us an idea about the changing society, culture and politics of India since thousands of years.

Conclusion

The timeline of Indian history covers thousands of years of rich culture, powerful empires, and major events that shaped the nation. From the Indus Valley Civilization to modern India, each period has added to its growth. The chronology of Indian history helps us understand the rise and fall of dynasties, social changes, and freedom struggles. For students and exam aspirants, knowing this timeline is key to connecting the past with the present. It builds a strong foundation for understanding India’s heritage. Studying the timeline of Indian history allows us to learn from the past and build a better future.

After reading this article, we hope all your doubts about the timeline of indian history have been addressed. The textbook provides comprehensive notes on civil services and various other competitive examinations. It has always ensured the quality of its products, such as content pages, live tests, GK and current affairs, mocks, and so on. Ace your UPSC preparation with the Testbook. Download the Testbook App now!