Indian History Chronology: Indian History is a topic of interest to many including foreigners because of the cultures and civilizations existed in this sub-continent. History of India can be studied under political, cultural, religious or economic heads.
Indian History Chronology
Chronologically, Indian History can be classified into three periods – Ancient India, Medieval India and Modern India.
Ancient India (Pre-historic to AD 700)
There were activities of proto-humans (Homo erectus) in the Indian subcontinent 20 lakh years (2 million years) ago, and of Homo sapiens since 70,000 BC. But they were gathers/hunters.
The first inhabitants of Indian subcontinent might have been tribals like Nagas (North-East), Santhals (East-India), Bhils (Central India), Gonds (Central India), Todas (South India) etc. Most of them are speakers of the Austric, pre-Dravidian languages, such as Munda and Gondvi. Dravidians and Aryans are believed to be immigrants who came later to the sub-continent.
Ancient India can be studied under other heads like Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and Chalcolithic period – based on the type of stone/ metal tools people used.
Paleolithic Period (2 million BC – 10,000 BC)
- Fire
- Tools made up of lime stone
- Ostrich Eggs
- Important Paleolithic sites: Bhimbetka (M.P), Hunsgi, Kurnool Caves, Narmada Valley (Hathnora, M.P), Kaladgi Basin
Mesolithic Period (10,000 BC – 8,000 BC)
- Major Climatic Change happened
- Domestication of animals ie Cattle rearing started
- Microliths found at Brahmagiri (Mysore), Narmada, Vindya, Gujarat
Neolithic Period (8000 BC – 4,000 BC)
- Agriculture Started
- Wheel discovered
- Inamgaon = An early village
- Important Neolithic Sites : 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, Takkala Kota.
- NB: Megalithic Sites: Brahmagiri, Adichanallur
Chalcolithic Period (4000 BC – 1,500 BC)
- Copper Age. Can be considered part of Bronze Age. (Bronze = Copper + Tin)
- Indus Valley Civilization (BC 2700 – BC 1900).
- Also cultures at Brahmagiri, Navada Toli (Narmada region), Mahishadal (W.Bengal), Chirand (Ganga region)
Iron Age (BC 1500 – BC 200)
- Vedic Period (Arrival of Aryans ie. BC 1600 – BC 600) – Nearly 1000 years (Basic books of Hinduism, i.e. Vedas were composed, might have written down later.)
- Jainism and Buddhism
- Mahajanapadas – Major Civilization after Indus Valley- On banks of river Ganga
- Magadha empire – Bimbisara of Haryanka Kula
- Sisunga dynasty – Kalasoka (Kakavarnin)
- Nanda empire – Mahapadma-nanda, Dhana-nanda
- Persian- Greek: Alexander 327 BC
Mauryan Empire (321-185 BC)
Important rulers of Mauryan Empire: Chandra Gupta Maurya, Bindusara, Asoka
Post-Mauryan Kingdoms (Middle Kingdoms):
- Sunga (181-71 BC), Kanva (71-27BC), Satavahanas (235-100BC), Indo-Greeks, Parthians (19-45AD), Sakas (90BC-150AD), Kushanas(78AD)
- South Indian Kingdoms – Chola, Chera, Pandyas (BC 300)
Gupta Kingdom (300AD – 800AD): Classical Period
Important ruler of Gupta Period: Samudra Gupta (Indian Napoleon)
Post Guptas or Contemporary Guptas
- Harshvardana, Vakatakas, Pallavas, Chalukyas. Also, Hunas, Maitrakas, Rajputs, Senas and Chauhans.
Medieval India (AD 700 – AD 1857)
- AD: 800-1200: Tripartite struggle – Prathiharas, Palas, and Rashtrakutas
- Attack of Muhammed Bin Kassim (AD 712)
- Rise of Islam and Sufism
- Mohammed Ghazni (AD 1000-27)
- Mohammed Ghori (AD 1175-1206)
Delhi Sultanate (1206 AD – 1526 AD)
The following dynasties flourished one after the other during the Delhi Sultanate period.
- Slave Dynasty
- Kilji Dynasty
- Tuglaq Dynasty
- Sayyid Dynasty
- Lodi Dynasty
Mughals (AD 1526 – AD 1857)
- Great Mughals
- Later Mughals
Mughals from Babar (1526) to Aurangazeb (1707) were more powerful and hence known as Great Mughals. Mughals who ruled from 1707 to 1857 were known as Later Mughals.
- Arrival of Europeans
- Other Kingdoms of North India – Marathas, Sikhs
Modern India (AD 1857 +)
- 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
- Nuclear, Space and Defense Development
History Schools
- Orientalist School – West Patronizing the East Culture – Not active now
- Cambridge School – Downplays ideology
- Nationalist School – Importance to Congress and Gandhi; Hindu Nationalists for Hindutva version
- Marxists School – Class conflict
- Subaltern School – Caste conflict
Charanjot Singh says
Sir I have just begun my preparation for civil services with Histiry.I am confused whether to make notes in the first reading of the subject or in subsequent readings.
Kindly guide me.
Thank you
Ffg says
First study throughly . In 2nd reading make notes by understanding.
Anju says
I did the same, and yeah it’s working!
Your Dad says
Sab janna h iss Bh@*£e ko 😅
Varun Baria says
Kindly, advice how one make notes for optional such vast as History itself. Any help would be appreciated! Thank you.
Mahesh says
Make as per syllabus and current affairs.
rashmi says
hi
can anyone suggest
for world history and culture baliyan notes better or vaji
2. vaji printed or vaji handwritten which one is better
md nazeeb alam says
u read world history by jain and mathur, which is very useful for ias
Amit says
Vaji
romila sinha says
Hi,
I am preparing myself for 2015 and wanted to know the process of joining your test series or answer writing challenges for mains as well as prelims.
Regards
Romila
Kushal Kumar says
Behen ka loda
sandeep says
sir i want to have geography optional, will i have different books for prelims and main
Nilesh says
Hi,
Maps are correct, but at many places chronology is bit incorrect..e.g Gupta empire was from 315 to 550 and medival history was from early medival 750 to 1200 and medival from 1200 to 1757, commonly accepted…not hard and fast rule..but ur figures are bit stretched…
Rahul says
Hlo can you give your number
Rahul says
I am handicapped if you have notes then gives me
Smriti anand says
sir i am in class 11 and i want to become an ias officer.
How can i prepare for it.
Plzz i need a guideline plzz help me.
A says
Pehle zindagi air explore karlo.
A says
Maa ki choot
Avinash says
Sir i am studying economics start with through ncert books but it is difficult to analyses economics questions in mains question papers and analyses of news papers economics reports.i am trying different ways but it is very confused.sir please suggest the material regarding this and way of approach..
AnnaParameshwari Srinivasan says
I just started to read History NCERT – class VI… got confused and found hard to get an idea.. went on searching online & luckily found this post.
It makes my job easier.. I hope it’ll serve as a roadmap for History preparation.
thanks a lot ClearIAS… 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Sam Takhar says
NB:Print Pdf
divya prakash says
It’s good but u can add about rise of regional powers like awadh,hyderabad,Bengal,Sikhs ,maratha etc under topic mughal
Pranjal says
NB: Print Pdf
Dola babu says
Sir how to download this article PDF,I am not able to get pdf
The Real Person!
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ClearIAS study materials are available for download as PDF for FREE on the ClearIAS Telegram Channel (https://t.me/clearias). Join us now!
PRATYUSH says
SEME HERE…. ONLY PRINT OPTION AVLIABLE
kailash says
sir I want to prepare SSC CGL examination, l am science graduate so l need help to prepare Indian history pls guide me
Maruthi says
How many articles are thir in india constitution
Saeed says
Sir i am in BA ist sem and my sub is pol sci and history,now i am confusing in choiseing the additional sub for IAS so what i can do? which sub is better for IAS.
....... says
What we call the reign of pre mouryan period?
Nikita Mane says
Sorry Sir/Madam, but I think you missed Harappan civilisation in this chronology.
Suryaprakash Parida says
Indusvalley civilisation is also known as harappan civilisation
aman says
Did we have ostrich in India during palaeolithic period ?
ExploreMyIndia says
Great information about history of India. Your article is an evergreen compilation of data.
Thanks a lot.
Smart Readers says
For all parts of prachin bharat https://youtu.be/IIzDbgQEAUw
ali says
how to download notes
Rakshita Jadhav says
India also has a wide political as well as social history. It is a very rich country in terms of history.
aditya abhale says
thanks for your article, i have referred your article for writting old history of india blog.
thanks again, it helped me alot
Rattan Sharma says
Beautifully, summerized.
Ron says
There are arguments about Buddha.Some say Buddha was born in India.Great historian A.L.Bhasham says no buddha was born in India. How can I find the truth.What is the history book I should buy.Could you please help me.Thanks
Subash says
How to download these notes kindly tell me
Maresh kumar says
Kindly tell me quick gs study capsule to go through jkpsc cc pre exam 2
018
Gufran Ahmad says
You should have to clear 12 the exam now.After 12th u have to choose any one subject prescribed by recognised university of India for B.A(Hns)/ B.Sc(Hns)/ B.Tech(Hns)/ B.Com(Hns).At begining u should be conscious on two subjects for mains exam eg; Geography/Economics/ Mathematics/ Anthropology/History/Physics/Chemistry/psychology…etc. First of all u should have to download upsc ( IAS) syllabus.After doing this u will be prepare for IAS by serially.
Pankaj Kumar says
Sir i did my graduation parallel to i.t.i in similar session by regular based still I’m working in SAIL Bt now I want to prepare for upsc nd I’m thinking that if I got selected then would I got any problem in further process.
Padma says
How to read history.iam very confused pls guide me
Ankit says
Nice materials
Sunil Kumar Panday says
Good morning sir
Thank you sir for this effort
Sir I have a question, sir what is your motivation for doing this great work
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi Sunil,
Good question 🙂 You are right. Without enough motivation, we cannot keep coming up with quality articles/mock exams on a daily basis. The following are the major motivating factors for me and ClearIAS Team as a whole.
(1) The realisation that we are solving the big problems students faced or facing – in terms of accessibility, affordability, and quality – of education.
(2) The feeling that about 1 million students depend on ClearIAS for learning each month. That adds a lot of responsibility too.
(3) As a person, I love teaching and creative writing. Most of the team members of ClearIAS too. It’s highly satisfying. We love to make things simple. ClearIAS gives maximum space to creativity and innovation. Our focus is to create easy-to-learn study materials, saving valuable time of aspirants.
(4) As a social startup, with a sustainable business model, we do realise the value of our work.
(5) Users like you who encourage and support us.
(6) Toppers who sent us thank-you letters appreciating the crucial role played by ClearIAS.com in helping them clear UPSC Civil Services Exam.
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PS: There is a 10th point as well – the conviction that what we have done so far is just nothing, but only a beginning.
We have just started.
There are plenty of things to be done in the days ahead.
Katha says
NCERT Cl 6 History textbook, Chapter 2- evidence of ostrich shells used for making beads and decorative items was found in Patne, Maharashtra.
Harman gill says
sir,i m currently studying in 12 icse science class….will these only notes would be sufficient for me to study….???? Kindly help pls
termaric says
I have been searching for this chronology for a while now, and then I got it here. Thanks from the secluded place of my heart. regards
ABHISHEK says
Very nice for prepration for upsc.
VIVEK says
Hindi language hai sir
Tanvi says
Hi Sir can this material be used for preparing for the CDSE by UPSC?
Sueetha Jammana says
Hello Sir,
I am Geethika …. and I am going study in class 9th . My dream is to be the IAS officer and I want to start my preparation from my 9th . Now I am 13 years old and I want your guidance . Can you please guide me in the best way to serve my nation as an IAS officer ?
Thanks in advance,
Your lovingly child,
Geethika . V . Sastry
Gayathri says
Ancient period is prehistoric to AD 700,but how can the paleolithic,Mesolithic,chalcolithic and neolithic are in BC…….plz I have a confusion…anyone solve this
Chandan Kumar Bharti says
Pre history, Proto history till Sakas in BC, Sakas and afterwards in CE or AD
Shikhar agrahari says
Sir I just start my preparation for civil services so can u please tell me what I do first and from where I can start
I totally confused what I study what not….
Plzz reply
Sibi says
hi sir,
I’m Sibiya from Erode, Tamil nadu. I would like to start my UPSC exam preparation. Where should i start now?
As there are many institutes here though I dont feel good with them only focusing on money. As I’m from financially down family I need some support and guidance to prepare my exams from the team like yours who only want people to get benefit of. There lies a real support I hope!!!
Ajeet Goswami says
Download telegram and get free video
Chinnu Varghese says
Hi,
Can I get the pdf notes?
Sweta Biradar says
Hi,
What does the NB abbreviation mean?
Thanks,
Sweta
Shruti says
I have seen different timelines for stone & metal age on different sites, & in different books, so just want to confirm if this timeline is correct?
Ritesh says
i think the period mention for homo-erectus and homo-sapiens in indian sub-continent is not correct
look into this matter
Mithilesh pandey says
Is the notes are only cover ncerts or reference also
Vipin says
It’s really helpful for the upsc and as well history portion thanks a lot sir
Dattatray ingale says
I was searching this article. Very helpful for me.
Veeru singh says
Hi sir I am sneha Singh and I read class 9th. I want to became an IPS officer. Sir please guide me
Thank you
Manhad khan says
Thanks you soo much.. for this notes.
If similar kind of notes for Politics is available , Request to share.
Thanks in advance.
Suresh Kumar says
It’s not a research work. Just copied from Indian history books written by foreign historians like Romilla thaper. May be he is not studied Vedic literature to calculate Vedic time period and using prossesion of equinoxes calculations.
Amit says
Stop murmuring
Instead you make a detailed chart as per vedas. Let us all know what our vedas say… As far as I know, This exam is not taking vedas as a reference .
Shraddha Thombre says
A Very Big THANK YOU To CLEAR IAS
For Making Our UPSC Preparation More Easier😊😊 💝💝
Nahida says
Hii
Anshuman says
i want pdf files
Is there is all pdf files of all subjects ?
Nidhi bhardwaj says
These notes are enough for IAS preparation. Tell me plzzzzz
Nahida says
Hii this is Nahida akhter
I’m from jammu and kashmir
My hobby is ias officer
And my dream is civil services
May Allah bless me for All examination
Give me a one chance please
Sweta Singh says
Really very very thanks a lot sir
Sir I am doing self-study have little confusion how to connect with you because I will take exam in 2022 so please suggest me
Arindam Sen says
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KRISHAN KISHORE says
Not enough for upsc
Juhi gupta says
Sir please hame Gs 1mains ka complete notes uplabdh karaye