NOTES

INDIAN HISTORY

The history of India has been broadly divided into three distinct periods, viz.: 1. Ancient India 2.
Medieval India 3. India Under British Rule The history of modern India is further sub-divided into two
major periods, viz.: (a) The British Period (b) The Indian Freedom Struggle and Partition of India

Indus Valley Civilization Overview:

 Flourished between 3000 BC and 1500 BC.

 Developed along the Indus River, extending from Jammu to Ahmednagar and parts of
Gujarat.

 Major cities: Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and Lothal.

Key Features:

 Town planning: Advanced cities with well-planned roads, buildings, and drainage systems.

 Main occupations: Hunting and agriculture.

 First to produce cotton.

Major Sites:

 Harappa: Located on the Ravi River in Punjab, the first major site discovered.

 Mohenjo-Daro: Largest city, located in Sind, known for its advanced urban features.

 Kalibangan: Found in Rajasthan, likely a provincial capital.

 Lothal: In Gujarat, a key site for sea trade with West Asia.

 Alamgirpur: Located in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, an eastern site.

Periodization:

 Early Harappan Phase: Around 3200 - 2600 BC.

 Mature Harappan Phase: Between 2500 - 1800 BC.

Geography of Sites:

 Most Harappan sites were along the floodplains of the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra rivers.

Features of Indus Valley Civilization:

Political:

 Likely a central government based on evidence of assembly halls and citadels.

Socio-Economic:

 Agriculture: Sowed seeds in November after floods receded and harvested in April (wheat,
barley).

 Staple food: Wheat, rice, barley, milk, dates, fish, eggs, and animal flesh.
  Cotton: First civilization to produce cotton, used for making spun and woven cotton and
woolen clothing.

 Livelihood: Based on agriculture, hunting, fishing, and animal/bird rearing.

Society:

 Highly developed artistic sense, reflected in pottery and paintings on vases.

Town Planning:

 Existence of great buildings, double-storeyed dwellings, and advanced drainage systems.

 Planned cities with well-organized roads.

The Vedic Period:

(A) Early Vedic Period (1500 BC - 1000 BC):

 Aryans' Origin: Semi-nomadic pastoral people from Central Asia (around Caspian Sea), likely
entered India through the Hindukush mountains (Khyber Pass) around 1500 BC.

 Religious Beliefs: Worshipped nature deities like sun, fire, and water. Yagna (sacrificial rites)
was an important religious practice.

 Vedic Texts:

o Rig Veda: Oldest, prayers to gods like Indra, Agni, and Vayu.

o Sam Veda: Deals with music.

o Yajur Veda: Focuses on rituals and formulae.

o Atharva Veda: Covers medicines.

o Puranas: 18 texts detailing rituals, traditions, and Aryan civilization.

o Upanishads: 300 texts, central to Indian philosophy.

 Aryans' Identity: "Aryan" means "foreigners" or "strangers" in Vedic times. First mentioned
in the Bagharkai Peace Treaty (1350 BC).

(B) Later Vedic Period (2000 BC - 700 BC):

 Known as the Brahmanical Age, forming the basis of modern Hinduism.

 Caste System: Four castes were formed:

o Brahmins (priests)

o Kshatriyas (warriors)

o Vaisyas (merchants)

o Sudras (labourers)

 Great Epics:

o Mahabharata by Ved Vyas

 Shastras: Discussed Indian philosophy, concepts of birth, death, and God.

(C) Rise of New Religions:

1. Buddhism:

o Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in the 6th century BC.

o Born in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal), attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya,

o Buddhism Sects:

 Mahayan: Buddha is considered a God.

 Hinyan: Buddha is not a God, more traditional.

 Vajrayan: Tantric Buddhism, prevalent in Ladakh and Bhutan.

o Key Teachings: Eightfold Path, Nirvana, Ahimsa, Karma.

2. Jainism:

o Founded by Rishabha, flourished under Mahavira (24th Tirthankara).

o Mahavira (born 540 BC) attained Kaivalya (perfect knowledge) at age 30.

o Jainism Sects:

 Digambar: Followers remain naked.

 Shwetambara: Followers wear white clothes.

o Core Principles: Tri-ratna (right knowledge, faith, conduct), Karma, Ahimsa.

(D)Various important empires and dynasties: Name of empire/dynasty Magadha empire Period
Important characteristics Around 542 BC Prominent kings were Bimbisara, Ajatashatru, Shishunaga
and Nanda Mauryan dynasty Ashoka: 273–232 BC Both of Kaling: 261 BC 321–232 BC He was the
last Hindu king of North India Prominent rulers were Prithvi Raj Chauhan and Jaichand Rathore
Founded by Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka was the other prominent king of this dynasty Gupta
dynasty (Golden Age) Harshavardhana Rajputs Other important dynasties: AD 320–550 AD 606–647
AD 650–1200 Prominent rulers were Chandragupta I, Samudragupta and Chandragupta II (i)
Chalukyas (AD 550–642) Prominent rulers were Pulkeshin I and II (ii) Cholas – Founded by Rajaraja-I
Prominent rulers were Rajendra Chola and Rajendra III (iii) Rashtrakutas (AD 753–973) Prominent
rulers were Krishna I, Amogha Varsha (iv) (v) Yadavas (AD 1191–1318) Vijayanagar’s empire (AD
1336–1646) Religious Books Prominent rulers were Ramachandra and Singhana Krishnadevaraya was
the only prominent ruler of the empire and ruled in the Deccan part of India

First Battle of Panipat (1526)

 Date: April 20, 1526

 Combatants: Babur (Ruler of Kabul) vs. Ibrahim Lodi (Sultan of Delhi)

 Significance: Babur became the Emperor of Delhi, establishing the Mughal dynasty.

Babur’s Reign (1526 - 1530)

 1526: Babur defeats Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat.

 1527: Babur defeats Rana Sanga at the Battle of Khanwa near Fatehpur Sikri, securing
control over northern India.

 1529: Babur defeats the Afghans at the Battle of Gorge.

 1526 - 1530: Babur consolidates power and establishes the Mughal Empire in India.

 1530: Babur dies and is succeeded by his son Humayun.

Humayun’s Reign (1530 - 1540)

 1530: Humayun, Babur’s son, ascends the throne of the Mughal Empire.

 1539: Humayun faces Sher Shah Suri in the Battle of Chausa and is defeated.

 1540: Humayun is defeated again by Sher Shah in the Battle of Kannauj.

 1540: Humayun is forced into exile in Persia (Iran) after being ousted from India.

Sher Shah Suri’s Rule (1540 - 1545)

 1540 - 1545: Sher Shah Suri establishes the Suri Empire and rules northern India.

 Sher Shah implements administrative and military reforms, strengthening his control over
the region.

Humayun’s Return and Second Reign (1555 - 1556)

 1555: After Sher Shah Suri’s death, Humayun returns from exile, invades India, and defeats
his brothers and the Afghans, regaining control of the Mughal throne.

 1556: Humayun dies from an accident just two years after regaining the throne.

Key Timeline Overview

 1526: First Battle of Panipat - Babur defeats Ibrahim Lodi, beginning Mughal rule.

 1527: Battle of Khanwa - Babur defeats Rana Sanga.

 1530: Babur dies, Humayun ascends the throne.

 1555: Humayun returns to India and regains the Mughal Empire.

 1556: Humayun dies in an accident, ending his reign.