Ancient History of India and Early Medieval Period (Prehistoric era to upto 1200 CE)
The following are the major events associated with the history of Ancient India.
Indus Valley and Harappan Civilization: The Indus Valley civilization existed around the Indus River between 3300 to 1300 BCE. It is also referred to as the Harappan Civilization.
This period is known as the Bronze Age because the civilization had techniques in metallurgy. The Indus Valley Civilization is characterized by the following:
- Support of the common and the living people,
- few weapons,
- no violence, and
- a highly organized society.
The population had social classes, a writing system, established trade routes, and well-planned cities.
Vedic Period (1500 – 500 BCE): The Vedic era in India refers to the historical era when the Vedas (the oldest scriptures in the Hindu religion) were written. The Indo-Aryans settled in the northern part of present-day India at the onset of the Vedic Period. The civilization engaged in agriculture and had four social classes. The Vidic Civilization is believed to have been a composition of the Indo-Aryans and the Harappan Civilization after the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization. As the period came to an end, movements that opposed the Vedic orthodoxy emerged.
Also read: Vedic Society
The Sixteen Mahajanapadas: Monarchical polities were a defining feature of the Vedic Civilization. Around 600 BCE, the political units or the Vedic States came together to form large kingdoms referred to as Mahajanapadas. In total, there were sixteen Mahajanapadas. The general economy was characterized by agricultural communities. Through the use of iron technology, both the cattle as well as the crops increased in numbers. It also marked the emergence of territorial boundaries as well as organized taxation.
Maurya Empire (321 BCE – 185 BCE): The Maurya Empire was a dominant power in Ancient India. It unified India into a single state. It was the first empire to do so and also the largest in the sub-continent. During this period, India thrive in trade, agriculture, as well as other economic activities.
- Chandragupta Maurya was responsible for the establishment of the empire after defeating the Nanda Dynasty.
- He was succeeded by his son Bindusara Maurya.
- Ashoka the Great, who later embraced Buddhism, was next on the throne and his reign lasted about four decades.
- After his death, the Maurya Empire began to decline. Brihadratha Maurya was his successor and the last of the Mauryan dynasty to rule the empire. He was assassinated, and the Sunga Empireestablished.
Satavahana Empire: (230 BCE): The Satavahana Empire was large and extended to many parts of India. The dynasty lasted for around 450 years. The royal dynasty was formed out of the opposition to the Maurya Empire and declared independence once the Mauryan dynasty began to decline. The era was notable because it was a generally peaceful era. The period of Satavahana empire is notable for the following:
- the the use of coins with images of the ruler,
- taking care of Buddhist facilities and traditions, and
- resistance to foreign invasion.
Saka: The Saka people were people who originated from the horse-riding pastoralists of Ancient Iran. They were displaced by another powerful tribe and they therefore invaded other parts of Asia including Iran. In India, they established a number of major kingdoms including in the following places: Taxila, Mathura, Nasik, and Ujjain.
Kushan Empire (50 CE): The Kushan empire was a dominant world power then. It began in the present-day Afghanistan and expanded into the northwestern parts of the India sub-continent under the leadership of Emperor Kujula Kadphises I. The first emperor was succeeded by his son Kadphises II also known as Vima Kadphises. Kanishka the Great was the third ruler of the empire, and his rule was marked by a growing urban life and great wealth. Their history is known with the following:
- gold pieces coins,
- great respect to its rulers,
- a kingdom which was not divided, and
- rising prosperity.
Gupta Empire (Golden Age of India): The Gupta Empire, was a notable Indian era due to the Indian contribution to engineering, arts, science, technology, philosophy, as well as religion. The era is also known as the Golden Age of India due to its prosperity. The Gupta Empire was established by Sri Gupta, and it was associated with peace and prosperity which allowed the growth of arts and sciences. Its other rulers included Chandragupta I (320 AD), Samudragupta (335 AD), Chandragupta II (380 AD). The Huna invasion contributed immensely to its decline.
The Hunas: The Hunas originated from Central Asia. The invaded Asia in two groups: one extending towards India while the counterpart extended towards the Roman Empire. They destroyed the influence of the Gupta empire.
Harsha Empire: The empire was ruled by Harsha Vardhana (606 AD – 647 AD). Harsha Empire was one of the monarchical states that rose after the decline of the Gupta Empire. It was also characterized by peace and prosperity. It was also a time that Ancient India recorded visitors of religion and scholarship.
Late Classical Era (600 AD – 1200 aD)
Badami Chalukya: This period saw the rise of the Badami Chalukya dynasty which ruled most parts of central and southern India. Due to the fact that the kings built special temples for Shiva, the Hindu God, there was a drastic improvement in architecture.
The Rashtrakuta Dynasty: The Rashtrakuta Dynasty was founded around 753 AD and ruled for about two centuries.
The defeat of Raja Dahir: The late classical ear also saw the defeat of Raja Dahir, the ruler of Sindh, by Muhammad Bin Qasim in 712 AD.
The Gurjara Pratiharas: The Gurjara Pratiharas ruled a high portion of the Northern part of India in the period between mid-seventh to eleventh century. The Gurjara Pratiharas Dynasty was instrumental in repulsing the Arab invaders that had been moving towards the east of the Indus River.
The Chola Empire: The Chola Empire became prominent around 930 AD. The Chola dynasty mainly ruled the Kaveri River and beyond. The dynasty is notable because of the following: guarding the Tamil literature, builders of great temples, unique architecture, and a centralized government. The Cholas used their naval skills to spread their influence to countries in Southeast Asia.
The Chauhans: The Prithviraj Chauhan era is characterized by a number of battles.
The Kakatiya Dynasty: The Kakatiya Dynasty showed a striking balance between sculpture as well as architecture. The loyal sub-ordinates helped the dynasty resist internal rebellion as well as external invasion.
Early Medieval Period: This period is characterized by the growth of Muslim population in India. The Chauhan Dynasty was successful in resisting the Arab invasion. Its most famous ruler was Prithviraj Chauhan. His battles with Mohammad Ghori, a Muslim sultan, are considered to be very significant in India’s history. The Kakatiya Dynasty, on the other hand, ruled southern India between 1175 AD and 1324 AD. It was conquered by the Delhi Sultanate.
A study of Ancient India helps one understand the history of Indian culture, economic activities, military use, and democracy.
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