History of India

The History of India for times preceding 1947 is inseparable from that of the history of the Indian subcontinent as a whole. The neolithic Indus Valley civilization in the 3rd millennium BCE extended over much of what is now Pakistan and the western Republic of India. The Vedic civilization until the 1st millennium BCE spread over all of northern India, from the Punjab and the Gangetic plain to Bangladesh, so that with the beginning historical period of the Middle kingdoms, northern India was dominated by the Arya, while in the south Dravidian culture was prominent. From the 10th century, Islamic empires were established in northwestern India, culminating with the Mughal era. The history of Colonial India begins in the 17th century, leading up to British control after the revolt of 1857. The independence movement resulted in a split of the British Raj into the contemporary states of the Republic of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The Magadha empire

Amongst the 16 Mahajanapadas, the kingdom of Magadha rose to prominence under a number of dynasties that peaked in power under the reign of Asoka Maurya, one of India's most legendary and famous emperors. The kingdom of Magadha had emerged as a major power following the subjugation of two neighbouring kingdoms, and possessed an unparalleled military.

Related Topics:
Magadha - Asoka Maurya

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Shishunaga dynasty

The Shishunaga dynasty founded the Magadha Empire in 684 BCE, whose capital was Pataliputra, near the present day Patna. This dynasty lasted till 424 BCE, when it was overthrown by the Nanda dynasty. This period saw the development of two of India's major religions. Gautama Buddha in the 6th or 5th century BCE was the founder of Buddhism, which later spread to East and Southeast Asia. Mahavira developed Jainism.

Related Topics:
Shishunaga dynasty - Magadha - 684 BCE - Pataliputra - Patna - 424 BCE - Nanda dynasty - Gautama Buddha - Buddhism - East - Southeast Asia - Mahavira - Jainism

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Nanda dynasty

The Nanda dynasty was established by an illegitimate son of the king Mahanandin of the previous Shishunaga dynasty. Mahapadma Nanda died at the age of 88, ruling the bulk of this 100-year dynasty. The Nandas were followed by the Maurya dynasty.

Related Topics:
Nanda dynasty - Mahanandin - Shishunaga dynasty - Mahapadma Nanda - Maurya

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Maurya dynasty

In 321 BCE, exiled general Chandragupta Maurya overthrew reigning king Dhana Nanda to establish the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta was succeeded by his son Bindusara, who expanded the kingdom over most of present day India, barring the extreme south and east. During this time, most of the subcontinent was united under a single government for the first time.

Related Topics:
321 BCE - Chandragupta Maurya - Dhana Nanda - Mauryan Empire - Bindusara

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The kingdom was inherited by his son Ashoka who initially sought to expand his kingdom. In the aftermath of the carnage caused in the invasion of Kalinga, he renounced bloodshed and pursued a policy of non violence or ahimsa after converting to Buddhism. The Edicts of Ashoka are the oldest preserved historical documents of India, and from Ashoka's time, approximate dating of dynasties becomes possible. The Mauryan dynasty under Asoka was responsible for the proliferation of Buddhist ideals across the entire of east asia, fundamentally altering the history and development of Asia. Asoka has been described as one of the greatest rulers the world has seen.

Related Topics:
Ashoka - Kalinga - Non violence - Edicts of Ashoka - Asoka - Buddhist ideals

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Shunga dynasty

The Sunga dynasty was established in 185 BCE, about 50 years after Ashoka's death, when the king Brihadratha, the last of the Mauryan rulers, was brutally murdered by the then commander-in-chief of the Mauryan armed forces, Pusyamitra Sunga, while he was taking the Guard of Honour of his forces. Pusyamitra Sunga then ascended the throne.

Related Topics:
Brihadratha - Pusyamitra Sunga

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