Ancient India

Prehistoric Period

• Paleolithic Age: 2 million BC - 10,000 BC
• Mesolithic Age: 10,000 BC - 6,000 BC
• Neolithic Age: 6,000 BC - 2,000 BC
• Chalcolithic Age: 2,000 BC - 1,000 BC

Indus Valley Civilization (2500-1750 BC)

Major Sites:

• Harappa (Punjab, Pakistan)
• Mohenjodaro (Sindh, Pakistan)
• Dholavira (Gujarat)
• Kalibangan (Rajasthan)

Key Features:

• Well-planned cities with grid layout
• Advanced drainage system
• Use of burnt bricks
• Trade with Mesopotamia
• Script still undeciphered

Vedic Period (1500-600 BC)

Early Vedic Period (1500-1000 BC):

• Rigveda composed
• Patriarchal society
• Cattle rearing main occupation

Later Vedic Period (1000-600 BC):

• Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda composed
• Iron technology developed
• Agriculture became main occupation
• Kingdom formation began

Mahajanapadas (600-321 BC)

16 Major Mahajanapadas:

1. Kashi
2. Kosala
3. Anga
4. Magadha
5. Vatsa
6. Kuru
7. Panchala
8. Matsya
9. Surasena
10. Asmaka
11. Avanti
12. Gandhara
13. Kamboja

Mauryan Empire (321-185 BC)

Chandragupta Maurya (321-298 BC):

• Founded Mauryan Empire
• Advisor: Chanakya (Kautilya)
• Defeated Seleucus Nicator

Ashoka (268-232 BC):

• Kalinga War (261 BC) - turning point
• Adopted Buddhism
• Sent missionaries to Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia
• Rock and pillar edicts

Post-Mauryan Period (185 BC - 320 AD)

Major Dynasties:

• Sunga Dynasty (185-73 BC)
• Kanva Dynasty (73-28 BC)
• Satavahana Dynasty (60 BC - 225 AD)
• Kushan Empire (1st-3rd century AD)

Gupta Period (320-550 AD)

Golden Age of India Chandragupta I (320-335 AD):

• Founded Gupta Empire
• Started Gupta Era

Samudragupta (335-380 AD):

• “Napoleon of India”
• Extended empire to south India
• Court poet: Harisena

Chandragupta II (380-415 AD):

• Vikramaditya - greatest ruler
• Navaratnas in his court
• Kalidasa - great poet and playwright

Achievements:

• Decimal system developed
• Aryabhatta - mathematician and astronomer
• Great temple architecture
• Flourishing trade and commerce

For detailed study materials on other periods, please refer to the complete Indian History guide available in the student resources section.

📖 Next Steps

1. Practice Questions: Test your understanding with practice tests
2. Study Materials: Explore comprehensive study resources
3. Previous Papers: Review exam papers
4. Daily Quiz: Take today’s quiz