India has an amazing history that started thousands of years ago. It is one of the oldest lifestyle in the world, it is the home to powerful empires, great genius people, and a lot of cultures. Let’s have a journey to India’s past, from the earliest times to modern India.
1. The Earliest Civilizations
Indus Valley Civilization was the first known civilization in India. It lived along the banks of the Indus River located in Pakistan and northwestern India. Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, were the two major cities which were well-planned, with drainage systems, brick houses, and huge networks of trade.
People of the Indus Valley were farmers, traders, and craftsmen. By 1500 BCE, this civilization declined due to unknown reasons—some people says of climate change, earthquakes, or war.
2. The Vedic Age
After the fall of the Indus Valley lifestyle, the Aryans migrated to India and settled along the bank of Ganges River. This period was called the Vedic Age because the Vedas were written during this time.
During this period, the caste system began to divide the society into four groups:
1.Brahmins
2.Kshatriyas
3.Vaishyas
4.Shudras
The rise of Hinduism and the beginning of religious traditions take place in this era.
3. The Rise of Great Empires
During this time, powerful empires rise in India that expanded trade, culture, and religion to a larger scale.
The Maurya Empire
The Maurya Empire was the first major empire in India, it was founded by Chandragupta Maurya. His grandson, Ashoka, is remembered for spreading Buddhism across the Asia. After watching the destruction of war, Ashoka promoted peace and non-violence.
The Gupta Empire
The Gupta Empire was the Golden Age of India because it was a time of great development in science, mathematics, literature, and art. The famous mathematician Aryabhata developed concepts of zero and decimal numbers during this time.
4. Medieval India
This period saw the arrival of Muslim rulers in India. The Delhi Sultanate was established by rulers like Qutb-ud-din Aibak and Alauddin Khilji. They built beautiful structures, including the Qutub Minar in Delhi.
The Mughal Empire
The Mughals were one of the most powerful dynasties in India. The empire was founded by Babur, but its most famous rulers were Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb.
The Mughal Empire gradually weakened on arrival of European powers.
5. The Arrival of the British
In the 1600s, the East India Company came to India for trade. Over a period of time, they gained political control. By 1857, Indians revolted in the First War of Independence, but the British distroyed it. After this, India officially became a colony of the British Empire.
For about 200 years, the British ruled India. They introduced railways, modern education, and legal systems but also conquered India’s resources and wealth. Indians suffered under British rule, and by the early 1900s, a movement for independence and revolution had begun.
After all the revolutions and movements India finally got independence on 15th August 1947. And we sea India as it is today.