Ancient History

To read Mughal History, Click here: Mughal History

history before Sultanate, Click here: Before sultanate

to read of Delhi Sultanate, Click here: Delhi Sultanate

For Indian Modern History, Click here: Modern Indian History

=>Eras of History:

Timeline Of Indian History:

Ancient India

=>Indus Valley Civilization(IVC): dwelt from 3300 to 1300 BC. Harappa: discovered by R. D. Dayaram Sahni in 1921. Mohenjodaro: Discovered by R. D. Banerjee in 1922. Covered parts of Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Gujrat, Rajasthan & parts of Western UP. Cities: Harappa-on Ravi in Pakistan. Mohenjodaro-on Indus in Pakistan. Chanhu Daro-in Sindh in Pakistan. Lothal-in Gujrat. Kalibangan-in Rajasthan & Banwali-in Hissar (Haryana).
Its notable features: Elaborate Town Planning, Roads, wells, Good drainage System. Crops: Wheat, Barley, Date palm & Cotton.   Pastime: Gambling. Worship:  Mother Goddess. Script:  Not deciphered yet, was not alphabetically but Pictographical. IVC culture lasted for 1000 years. Reason for its disappearance: 1) Invasion of Aryans 2)recurrent Floods 3) Social breakup of IVC 4)Earthquake.

=> The Vedic Literature:

@Vedas:    1) Rigveda: the oldest text in the world, a collection of hymns, recited at the time of Sacrificial rites or other rituals with utmost devotion. It contains 1028 hymns (SUKTAS) & divided into 10 Mandals( 1017 + 11  valakhilyas). 2) Sam Veda: a collection of melodies. 3) Yajur Veda: details the procedure for sacrifices. 4) Atharva Veda: Deals with Magic.

@Upvedas:

Vedas	Upvedas	Vedas	Upvedas
Rig Veda	Ayurveda	Yajur Veda	Dhanurveda
Sam Veda	Gandharva Veda	Atharva Veda	Shilpa Veda

@Brahmans: They explain the hymns of the Vedas in an orthodox manner.

@The Aranyakas: called Forest Books, written mainly for the hermits & students living in forests.

@The Upnishads: the term means to sit down near someone & denotes a student sitting near his guru to learn. 108 Upanishads in number.  They are Main source of Indian Philosophy.

@Smritis: Explain rules & regulations in the Vedic Life. Main Smritis- Manusmriti, Naradsmriti, Yagyavalkyasmriti & Parasharsmriti.

@Vedangas:  There are 6 vedangas, as 1) Shiksha, 2) Kalpa 3)Vyakarana 4) Nirukta 5) Chhanda 6) Jyotisha. Trick to remember: ShiKVa Ni CHHa Jyo.

@Darshans:  There are 6 schools of Indian Philosophy known as Darshans, Which are mentioned here: (Acronym: NgVkSk YpPjVbv)

Darshan	Exponent	Darshan	Exponent
1)Nyaya	Gautama	2)Vaishesika	Kannada Rishi
3)Sankhya	Kapila	4)Yoga	Patanjali
5)Purva Mimansa	Jaimini	6)Uttara Mimansa	Badaryana or Vyasa.

@Upvedas:

Vedas	Upvedas	Vedas	Upvedas
Rig Veda	Ayurveda	Yajur Veda	Dhanurveda
Sam Veda	Gandharva Veda	Atharva veda	Shilpa Veda

=>Buddhism:  The Buddha: Also known as Sakya Muni or Tathagata, born in 563 BC on Vaishakha Purnima Day at Lumbini (near Kapil Vastu) in Nepal, Father: Suddhodhana, a Saka Ruler.       Mother:  Mahamaya died after 7 days of his birth, was brought up by stepmother Gautami. Married to Yashodhara at age of 16 years, enjoyed married life for 13 years, had a son named Rahul.

Left his palace at the age of 29 years (with Channa, the charioteer & Kanthaka, his favorite horse in the search of truth. ( This episode is called Mahabhinishkramana  or Great Reincarnation.) & wandered for 6 years. He attained Enlightenment at 35 at Gaya in Magadh(Bihar) under Peepal tree. He delivered his 1^st sermon at Sarnath( This episode is called Dharmachakrapravartan or Turning of the Wheel of Law). Attained Mahaparinirvana(death) at Kushinagar(Gorakhpur Distt.) in 483 BC at the age of 80 years.

=>Events Related to Tathagat: Mahabhinishkramana  or Great Reincarnation, Dharmachakrapravartan or Turning of the Wheel of Law, Mahaparinirvana or death

=> Buddhist Councils:    

Council	Place	Year	Chairman	Purpose
1st	Rajgriha	483 BC	Mahakassapa	Teachings of Buddha divided into 2 Pitakas.
2nd	Vaishali	383 BC	Sabakami	Followers divided into 2, Sthaviras & Mahasaṃghikas.
3rd	PataliPutra	250 BC	Mogalputta Tisa	The 3rd part of  Tripitaka was coded in Pali language.
4th	Kashmir	72 AD	Vasumitra	Divided into 2 as Mahayana & Hinayana

=>Jainism:    Founded by Rishabha, there were24 Thirthankaras (Prophets or Gurus), all were Kshatriyas.

 1st   Rishabhnath (Emblem: Bull), 
23^rd  Parshwanath (Emblem: Snake) &   
24^th   Mahavira (Emblem: Lion).

  ð Jain Councils:

Council	Place	Chairman	Purpose
1st	Pataliputra	Sthulbhadra	Divided into Digambars & Shvetambars
2nd	Vallabhi	Devridhigani	All sacred books were written.

=>Dynasties & Rulers in Ancient India:

1)Hiryanka Dynasty: (544 BC-460BC) Bimbsara – Contemporary of Buddha, Ajatshatru – Buddha died during his Rein, Arranged 1^st Buddhist Council.

2)Shishunaga Dynasty: Founded by minister Shishunaga.

3) Nanda Dynasty: Founded by Mahapadnama, 1^st Non-Kshatriya dynasty. Alexander attached India during their reign. Dhana Nanda faced Alexander.

4) The Maurya Dynasty(322-232 BC):  founded by Chandragupta Maurya, assisted by Chanakya(the author of “Arthashastra”), Chandragupta defeated Seleucus, the general of  Alexandar, Seleucus sent “Magasthenes”  (author of 'Indica' ) to his court. .  Bindusara:  Greek Ambassador, “Deimachos” visited his court. Bindusara Was fondly called “Amitra Ghat” by Greek writers. Ashoka is regarded as the greatest king of all writers. Fought Kalinga war in 262 BC, then became a Buddhist. The emblem of the Indian Republic has been adopted from the 4 lion capital of Ashokan Pillar at Sarnath.
5)The Indo-Greeks: The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menander, also know as Milinda.  He was converted to Buddhism by Nagasena( mentioned in “Milind Panho” or the questions of Milind). Greeks were the 1st rulers ton issue Gold Coins in India.

6) The Shakas:  The Greeks were followed by Shakas, who controlled a larger part of India.

7)The Parthians: The most famous Parthian king was Gondophernes (AD 19-45), in whose reign St. Thomas is said to visit to India for the propagation of Christianity. 

8)The Kushans:  came from North Central Asia near Asia. Kanishka was the most famous king, who started a new Era “Saka” in 78 AD & is used by Govt. Of  India.

9)The Sunga Dynasty:  founded by Pushyamitra, ‘MAHABHASHYA” was written by “Patanjali” during their reign.

10)The Kanva Dynasty (75-30 BC): A short-lived dynasty, founded by Vasudeva, who had killed Devbhutti. They were swept away by Satavahans of the Deccan.

11) The Satavahanas(60BC-250 AD): They were successors of Mauryas in The Deccan & Central India. Important King was “GautmiPutra Satakarni”. Issued Lead coins apart from Copper & Bronze. 

They are regarded as a bridge between North & South India.

12) The Pandyas: Their capital-Madurai, profited from trade with the Roman Empire.

13) The Cholas: Their kingdom was called Cholamadalam or coromandel, capital was  Kaveripattanam/Puhar.  The main source of wealth was a trade in Cotton Cloth, which maintained an efficient navy.

14) The Cheras: Their capital- Vanji (also called Kerala Country). Fought against the Cholas in 150 AD.

15) The Gupta Dynasty:    Chandragupta I-acquired the title of Maharajadhiraja, started the Gupta era in 319 AD, married Kumara Devi, the princess of Lichhavi Clan of Nepal.

Samudragupta- was a great warrior & was never Defeated. Historian Vincent Smith called the Napoleon of India. Chandragupta ii – took the title Vikramaditya.  The Iron Pillar Inscription fixed near Qutub Minar in Delhi mentions of him as Chandra. Had 9 celebrated gems (Navratna) in his court including Kalidas & Amarsimha, Fahien visited at his time.

16) Pushybhuti Dynasty:  Harsha Vardhan- Hien Tsang (Prince of Travellers) visited during his reign. Harsha wrote 3 Plays: Priyadarshika, Ratnavali & Nagananda. Bhanabhatt was in his court, who wrote HarshaCharita & Kadambari.

17) Chalukyas( of Badami: Pulakesin-ii was their famous King. 
18) The Rashtrakuts: Their king, Krishna-I is remembered for constructing the famous rock-cut Kailasha temple at Ellora.

19) The Pallavas: Founder Simha Vishnu(their capital was Kanchi). Their greatest king - Narsimhavarman, who founded the town of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), which is adorned With beautiful Rock-cut Raths or Seven Pagodas. 

20) The Gangas: Their king Narsimhadeva constructed the Sun Temple of Konark.Another king Anantvarman Ganga built  famous Jagannath Temple of  Puri.  
21) The Cholas(AD 846-1279):  They are different from earlier Cholas. Founder- Vijayalaya  Capital-Tanjore. Real Founder was Rajaram 1, who founded the largest dominion in South India. He constructed Rajarajeshwari Temple (Also known as Brihadeshwar shiva temple)  at Thanjavur.

22) The Palas of Bengal: Founded by Gopala(750 AD) who was elected by People. Their Capital was Monghyr. Then came Dharmapala who founded Vikramshila University & revived Nalanda University. 
23) The Pratihars(or Gurjara Pratihara): Greatest King was Bhoja( also known as Mihir, Adivaraha  for his devotion to Vishnu).

24) The Rajputs:                                                                                               

Rajput Clan	The Area
1)Pratihara or Pariharas	South Rajasthan
2)Chauhans	East Rajasthan
3)Chalukyas or Solankts	Kathiarwar
4)Parmars or Pawars	Malwa.

=>Few more points: 

1) Jeevak was in the court of Bimbsar. 

2) Charak was with Kanishka. 

3) Harsha was Shaiva earlier.

4)Allora Kailasha Temple- Rastrakutas.
5) Chalukya King Pulkesin II defeated Harsha.

6)Alwars- Vishnu devotees

7)Nyanars-Shiv Devotees 

8) Chand Bar Dai wrote “Prithvi Raj Raso”, 

     (Biography of his patron King Prithvi Raj Chauhan.)

9) Khajurao Temple by Chandels. 

10) Ankorvat Temple- Suryavarman II. 

11) Ajanta-Ellora cave - Satvahan. 

12) Mahavira used PRAKRIT 

13) Buddha used Pali. 

14) Jain Books are called "AAGAM" 

15) Battle of Jhelam(Vitasta): Between Alexander & Porus.

=>Poets/Writers & their Patron Kings:

Poet/Writer	Patron King	Poet/Writer	Patron King
Amarsimha	Chandra Gupta2	Jinsena	Amoghavarsha
Ravi Kirti	Pulkesin II	Rajshekhar	Mahipala

  ð