HISTORY OF INDIA
India has a glorious past; a wonderful history going back to nearly 5000 years ago. Our history is broadly divided into three periods- the Ancient period(from prehistory to 600CE), the Medieval period (from 700CE to about 1750CE) and the Modern period(from 1750CE to 1947)
THE ANCIENT PERIOD
Indus Valley Civilisation
Indus civilisation, also called Indus valley civilisation or Harappan Civilisation, is the earliest known urban culture in the Indian subcontinent. It was first identified in 1921 in Harappa in Punjab region and then in 1992 in Mohenjo-Daro near the Indus River in the Sindh region, both now in Pakistan. The Indus civilisation is known to have comprised two large cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, and more than 100 towns and villages, mostly of relatively small size.
The cities of the Indus valley civilisation were well organised and solidly built out of brick and stone. Their drainage system, wells and water storage systems were the most sophisticated in the ancient world. They also developed systems of weights and measure and trade. They designed jewellery and made game pieces and toys for their children. With the help of the remains of Indus valley civilisation, we can learn about the people who lives and worked in these cities. The people of the Indus valley civilisation also developed a writing system which was used for several hundred years. However, unlike some other ancient civilisations, we are still unable to read the words that they had wrote.
THE ARYANS
The Aryans were warrior people who celebrated their victories in battle on their war stories from one generation to the next. Early Aryans were nomads who travelled from one place to another in search of food and shelter. Later, Aryans learned to farm the fertile Soils of the Indus River Valley allowing their settlements to become more permanent.
They lived and occupied the northern plains gradually. They worshiped natural powers and made open air sacrifices (yajnas). Both boys and girls were allowed to attend school and receive education. They raised livestock, road chariots and loved to gamble. They had no sophisticated government. Later, they grouped themselves into clans and were ruled by warriors chiefs called rajas. Their history consists of constant war amongst themselves and among the various clans. The Aryan beliefs and their daily life is described in the four Vedas. Veda means knowledge. The Vedas are comprised of the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva Vedas . During this period, there were a number of Janapadas or small kingdoms in North India. Later, they were all conquered by the rulers of Magadha, one of the most powerful kingdoms of North India.
Alexander The Great
In 326BCE, Alexander the ruler of Macedonia in Greece came to conquer India. He defeated king Porus of Punjab but was impressed with the bravery of Porus. Even though he won the battle, he had to return to Greece as his army was very tired. On the way back, Alexander was affected with malaria and died in 323 BCE.
MAURYAN EMPIRE
Chandragupta Maurya was a skilled leader and politician. He expanded the kingdom of Magadha into the Mauryan empire.
Maurya's grandson , Ashoka began his rule as a brutal warlord. His military expanded the borders of the empire to include two thirds of the Indian subcontinent. In later life, Ashoka grew tired of war and converted himself to Buddhism. He taught his people to be kind to others and to have regard for human life. Under his rule, Buddhist teachers were able to spread Buddhism far and wide.
After the death of Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire entered a period of decline. After the Mauryas, the Guptas ruled over India in the fourth and the fifth centuries CE. They were very powerful rulers and India became a rich country under their rule. This period is known as 'the golden age of India '.
THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
By the end of 7th century CE, the rulers of central Asia became very powerful. They were attracted to India because of its riches. AMahmud of Ghazni and Muhammad Ghori plundered India . In 1206 CE, Qutub-ud-din Aibak became the ruler of North India . He founded the Delhi Sultanate. He was followed by Iltutmish, Raziya Sultana and Balban.
With the decline of the Delhi Sultanate, North India was divided into many small kingdoms. Later, Babur came to India in 1526 CE and laid the foundations of the Mughal rule in India. After Babur, Humayun succeeded the thorns of the mughal emperor. He was followed by his son Akbar in 1556 CE. Akbar was the most successful Mughal ruler. He conquered a number of kingdoms and brought a greater part of India under his control.
After him, came Jahangir followed by Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan built many famous monuments; the most famous being Taj Mahal. He was succeeded by his son Aurangzeb, the last important ruler of the Mughal Dynasty. After him, the Mughal Dynasty declined.
THE MODERN PERIOD
The decline of the Mughal rule saw the beginning of the British rule in India. The first European traders - the French, the Portuguese and the Dutch, who had come to India to trade, were defeated by the British. In 1757 CE, the British defeated the Nawab or ruler of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah and became the rulers of Bengal. The British who had come to India as traders gradually started participating in the administration of the country. They soon overtook the control over the whole of India and started exploiting the Indian riches and her people.
In 1857, Indians revolted against British East India Company. But this revolt was crushed and the Queen of England took over the Indian empire. Many educated Indians formed political organizations to free India from the British rule. The Indian National Congress (INC) was one of the most important organizations that led the Indian freedom struggle.
Mahatma Gandhi was the most popular leader of the freedom movement. He organised a number of movements to force the British to leave India. He used peaceful methods of protest like Satyagraha, Quit India Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, etc. Which were based on the principles of truth and non violence. After a lot of struggle and loss of lives, India finally became independent on 15th August 1947.
India has a glorious past; a wonderful history going back to nearly 5000 years ago. Our history is broadly divided into three periods- the Ancient period(from prehistory to 600CE), the Medieval period (from 700CE to about 1750CE) and the Modern period(from 1750CE to 1947)
THE ANCIENT PERIOD
Indus Valley Civilisation
Indus civilisation, also called Indus valley civilisation or Harappan Civilisation, is the earliest known urban culture in the Indian subcontinent. It was first identified in 1921 in Harappa in Punjab region and then in 1992 in Mohenjo-Daro near the Indus River in the Sindh region, both now in Pakistan. The Indus civilisation is known to have comprised two large cities, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, and more than 100 towns and villages, mostly of relatively small size.
The cities of the Indus valley civilisation were well organised and solidly built out of brick and stone. Their drainage system, wells and water storage systems were the most sophisticated in the ancient world. They also developed systems of weights and measure and trade. They designed jewellery and made game pieces and toys for their children. With the help of the remains of Indus valley civilisation, we can learn about the people who lives and worked in these cities. The people of the Indus valley civilisation also developed a writing system which was used for several hundred years. However, unlike some other ancient civilisations, we are still unable to read the words that they had wrote.
THE ARYANS
The Aryans were warrior people who celebrated their victories in battle on their war stories from one generation to the next. Early Aryans were nomads who travelled from one place to another in search of food and shelter. Later, Aryans learned to farm the fertile Soils of the Indus River Valley allowing their settlements to become more permanent.
They lived and occupied the northern plains gradually. They worshiped natural powers and made open air sacrifices (yajnas). Both boys and girls were allowed to attend school and receive education. They raised livestock, road chariots and loved to gamble. They had no sophisticated government. Later, they grouped themselves into clans and were ruled by warriors chiefs called rajas. Their history consists of constant war amongst themselves and among the various clans. The Aryan beliefs and their daily life is described in the four Vedas. Veda means knowledge. The Vedas are comprised of the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva Vedas . During this period, there were a number of Janapadas or small kingdoms in North India. Later, they were all conquered by the rulers of Magadha, one of the most powerful kingdoms of North India.
Alexander The Great
In 326BCE, Alexander the ruler of Macedonia in Greece came to conquer India. He defeated king Porus of Punjab but was impressed with the bravery of Porus. Even though he won the battle, he had to return to Greece as his army was very tired. On the way back, Alexander was affected with malaria and died in 323 BCE.
MAURYAN EMPIRE
Chandragupta Maurya was a skilled leader and politician. He expanded the kingdom of Magadha into the Mauryan empire.
Maurya's grandson , Ashoka began his rule as a brutal warlord. His military expanded the borders of the empire to include two thirds of the Indian subcontinent. In later life, Ashoka grew tired of war and converted himself to Buddhism. He taught his people to be kind to others and to have regard for human life. Under his rule, Buddhist teachers were able to spread Buddhism far and wide.
After the death of Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire entered a period of decline. After the Mauryas, the Guptas ruled over India in the fourth and the fifth centuries CE. They were very powerful rulers and India became a rich country under their rule. This period is known as 'the golden age of India '.
THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
By the end of 7th century CE, the rulers of central Asia became very powerful. They were attracted to India because of its riches. AMahmud of Ghazni and Muhammad Ghori plundered India . In 1206 CE, Qutub-ud-din Aibak became the ruler of North India . He founded the Delhi Sultanate. He was followed by Iltutmish, Raziya Sultana and Balban.
With the decline of the Delhi Sultanate, North India was divided into many small kingdoms. Later, Babur came to India in 1526 CE and laid the foundations of the Mughal rule in India. After Babur, Humayun succeeded the thorns of the mughal emperor. He was followed by his son Akbar in 1556 CE. Akbar was the most successful Mughal ruler. He conquered a number of kingdoms and brought a greater part of India under his control.
After him, came Jahangir followed by Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan built many famous monuments; the most famous being Taj Mahal. He was succeeded by his son Aurangzeb, the last important ruler of the Mughal Dynasty. After him, the Mughal Dynasty declined.
THE MODERN PERIOD
The decline of the Mughal rule saw the beginning of the British rule in India. The first European traders - the French, the Portuguese and the Dutch, who had come to India to trade, were defeated by the British. In 1757 CE, the British defeated the Nawab or ruler of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah and became the rulers of Bengal. The British who had come to India as traders gradually started participating in the administration of the country. They soon overtook the control over the whole of India and started exploiting the Indian riches and her people.
In 1857, Indians revolted against British East India Company. But this revolt was crushed and the Queen of England took over the Indian empire. Many educated Indians formed political organizations to free India from the British rule. The Indian National Congress (INC) was one of the most important organizations that led the Indian freedom struggle.
Mahatma Gandhi was the most popular leader of the freedom movement. He organised a number of movements to force the British to leave India. He used peaceful methods of protest like Satyagraha, Quit India Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, etc. Which were based on the principles of truth and non violence. After a lot of struggle and loss of lives, India finally became independent on 15th August 1947.
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