History is the study of past events. It helps us to understand those processes that enabled the early humans to successfully conquer their environment and develop the present-day civilization. It is an analysis of society, economy and cultural trends over a long period as reflected in available sources.
The History of the people is greatly conditioned by the geography and environment of the region in which they live. These determine the settlement pattern, population spread, food products, human behavior and dietary habits of a region. Different environmental conditions and varying availability of resources have resulted in distinct socio-economic and cultural formations in different regions.
Prehistoric Culture
Prehistoric period is that period of our ancient past for which we do not have written records.
- Palaeolithic or Old Stone Age
- Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age
- Neolithic or New Stone Age
Harappan Civilization
Harappan civilization was discovered in 1920-22 when two of its most important sites were excavated - Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Based on the archaeological findings the Harappan civilization has been dated between 2600 BC - 1900 BC and is one of the oldest civilizations of the world.
The knowledge of the life and culture of the Harappan people is based only on the archaeological excavations as the script of that period has not been deciphered so far.
Vedic Age
Veda means the sacred knowledge contained in the texts known as Vedic text. Studies have shown that the Vedic texts reflect two stages of development in terms of literature as well as social and cultural evolution.
The Rigveda which is the oldest Vedic text reflects one stage of social and cultural development whereas the other three Vedas (the Samaveda, the Yajurveda, and the Atharvaveda) reflect another stage.
The authors of the Vedic hymns were the Aryans. Originally the Aryans seem to have lived somewhere in the Steppes stretching from southern Russia to Central Asia. From here, a group of them migrated to northwest India and came to be called Indo-Aryans or just Aryans.
Mahajanapadas
In the later Vedic period, people had started agriculture, which made them settle down at a particular place. These permanent settlements led to foundation of Janapadas or territorial states under the control of the king.
Increased agricultural activity and settled life led to the rise of sixteen Mahajanapadas which were in north India in sixth century BC. One of these states called Magadha defeated all others to rise to the status of an empire later under the Mauryas.
Buddhism and Jainism were the first reformatory movements in 6th century BC India.
Buddhism
Gautam Buddha was born at Lumbini in 563 BC and at the age of 29 attained enlightenment; gave four noble truths and eight fold path.
Jainism
Vardhaman Mahavira is regarded as the founder of Jainism. He was twenty-fourth and the last tirthankara of Jainism.
Mahavir was born in 540 BC at Kundegram near Vaishali; became ascetic at the age of 30, died at Pavapuri in 468 BC near Rajagriha.
Magadh Empire
Magadha, the powerful Mahajanpada expanded considerably under Bimbisara, Ajatshatru, Mahapadman and Chandragupta Maurya. The earliest important ruler of Magadh was the king Bimbisara, who ruled from 544 to 492 BC.
Mauryan Age
Chandragupta Maurya (321 - 297 BC) is the founder of the dynasty.
Bindusara (297 - 269 BC): He promoted trade and cultural interaction with Greeks.
Ashoka (269 - 232 BC): Fought a major war with Kalinga around 261 BC in which large number of people were killed or imprisoned.
Ashoka and his Dhamma: It was a code of conduct or ideal social behaviour common to all religions of the world. Dhamma included compassion (daya), charity (dana), truthfulness, purity and gentleness.
The Mauryan period was one of great economic and cultural progress. However, the Mauryan Empire collapsed within fifty years of the death of Ashoka. One of the main reasons for decline could be the succession of weak rulers.
Post-Mauryan Developments
In around 187 BC, the Mauryan Empire met its end. This led to the rise of many regional kingdoms in different parts of the country. At the same time, we witness invasions by various groups of people based in Central Asia and western China (Kushanas).
It was through such political processes that India came in closer contact with the central Asian politics and culture.
Kushana were a branch of Yue-chi tribe of central Asia. The greatest ruler of the Kushana dynasty was Kaniska and he was a devoted Buddhist.
After Ashoka, Kalinga became prominent under the kings of Chedi dynasty (Orissa and Deccan).
Gautamiputra Satakarni (first century AD) is considered to be the greatest of the Satavahana rulers. Their capital was at Pratishthana near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Satavahanas kings were succeeded by the Kings of lkshvaku dynasty.
Sangam Age
The term Sangam refers to an assembly or meeting together of Tamil poets. All the three Sangams took place under the patronage of the Pandya kings of Madurai.
Love and war was the two broader themes of poem. Women in the Sangam period appear to have been educated. Practice of Sati was also prevalent.
Early Tamil literature comprised work such as Tolkappiyam, Eight Anthologies (Ettutogai), the ten Idylls (Pathupattu), Eighteen minor works and three epics (Shilappadikaram, Manimekalai and Sivaga Sindamani).
Gupta Age
After the decline of the Kushanas, north India witnessed the rise of the Gupta dynasty. The rulers of this dynasty were able to establish a vast empire that included almost the entire northern India.
Gupta dynasty was established by Shri Gupta. Real founder of the Gupta empire was Chandragupta I (AD 319 - 334). Chandragupta was succeeded by his son Samudragupta (AD 335 - 375). Samudragupta's achievements are recorded on a Pillar at Allahabad.
Samudragupta was succeeded by his son Chandragupta II (AD 375 - 414). Chandragupta II greatest military achievement was his victory over the Shaka kings. The Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Fa Hien (AD 404 - 411) visited India during his reign.
After their collapse there emerged various regional kingdoms in north India. South India too witnessed the rise of two important kingdoms under the Chalukyas and the Pallavas respectively during AD 550 - 750.
India Between AD 750 - 1200
The period between AD 750 and AD 1200 is referred to as an early medieval period of Indian History. Though politically divided, India witnessed a growth of new and rich cultural activities in the fields of art, literature and language.
The first phase (AD 750 - 1000) was marked by the growth of three important political powers in India - Gurjara Pratiharas in north India, Palas in eastern India and Rashtrakutas in South India. Armed conflict among these three powers is known as Tripartite struggle.
In the second phase we notice the break up of these powers. It resulted in the rise of many smaller kingdoms all over the country.