3300 – 1300 BCE
Indus Valley Civilisation
Harappa, Mohenjo-daro and Lothal — planned cities, drainage systems and trade with Mesopotamia. One of the world's oldest urban civilisations.
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History of India
From the first cities on the Indus to the midnight of 15 August 1947. This is the long story of how Bharat became India — and why the fight for a clean, fair country did not end with freedom.
1500 – 600 BCE
Vedic period
The Rigveda is composed. Vedic culture spreads across the Gangetic plains, and the foundations of Indian philosophy, mathematics and social structure take shape.
600 – 322 BCE
Mahajanapadas, Buddha and Mahavira
Sixteen large kingdoms emerge. Gautama Buddha and Mahavira teach new paths of thought, and Nalanda-era learning begins to grow.
322 – 185 BCE
Maurya Empire
Chandragupta Maurya, guided by Chanakya, builds India's first large empire. His grandson Ashoka rules most of the subcontinent and turns to Buddhism after Kalinga.
320 – 550 CE
Gupta Empire
Often called India's golden age. Kalidasa writes, Aryabhata works on astronomy, and the decimal system with zero develops. Temples and universities flourish.
850 – 1600 CE
Chola and Vijayanagara
The Cholas build a naval empire across South-East Asia and raise the Brihadeeswarar temple. Vijayanagara becomes a centre of trade and art at Hampi.
1526 – 1707
Mughal Empire
Babur founds the empire. Akbar builds a system of governance based on alliance, Shah Jahan builds the Taj Mahal, and Aurangzeb expands — and strains — the empire.
1674 – 1818
Maratha Empire
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj builds a kingdom from the hills of Maharashtra, and the Marathas later control much of central and northern India.
1757 – 1857
East India Company
After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the Company takes control of Bengal and, over a century, most of India. Its revenue system, the Permanent Settlement and deindustrialisation change Indian society deeply.
1857
The First War of Independence
Sepoys, Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Sahib, Mangal Pandey and Bahadur Shah Zafar rise against Company rule. The revolt fails, but the Company is abolished and the British Crown takes direct control.
1885
Indian National Congress founded
Seventy-two delegates meet in Bombay. The Congress becomes the main platform for Indian political demands — first for reform, later for complete freedom.
1905
Partition of Bengal and Swadeshi
Curzon divides Bengal. The response is the Swadeshi movement — boycott foreign goods, support Indian industry. It is the first mass political movement of the modern era.
1919
Jallianwala Bagh
On 13 April, General Dyer orders firing on an unarmed gathering in Amritsar. Hundreds die. The massacre turns a generation of Indians towards full independence.
1920 – 1922
Non-Cooperation Movement
Gandhi calls for the boycott of British courts, schools and titles. It becomes the first nationwide mass movement, and ends after the Chauri Chaura violence.
1930
Dandi March and Purna Swaraj
Congress declares complete independence as its goal. Gandhi walks 240 miles to Dandi to make salt, breaking the British salt law. The world takes notice.
1942
Quit India Movement
"Do or Die" — the last great mass movement. The entire Congress leadership is jailed, and Britain begins to accept that it cannot hold India for long.
1943 – 1945
Azad Hind Fauj
Subhas Chandra Bose forms the Indian National Army and the Azad Hind government, and gives the nation "Jai Hind" and "Dilli Chalo".
15 August 1947
Independence and Partition
India becomes free. Partition creates Pakistan, and one of the largest migrations in history follows. Nehru's "Tryst with Destiny" marks the start of a new nation — and a new set of problems.
This is a short overview, not a full history. Dates for ancient periods are approximate and debated by historians.