INDIAN HISTORY
Indian History is divided into three periods i.e. Ancient Indian History, Medieval Indian History, Modern Indian History. The sources of Indian history are: Archacological sources, Inscriptions, coins, written records, material remains, Literary works etc. The period from the beginning of Indus Valley Civilization to the establishment of Delhi Sultanate is called ancient Indian history. Archaeologists discoverd Indus Valley civilization in 1922. The main important sites of this civilization are Harappa and Mohenjodaro. They are now in Pakistan. Other important sites of this civilization are: Lothal, Rupar, Rangapur, Dholavira, Kalibangan, Banvali etc. The main feature of Indus Valley civilization was Town Planning. This civilization was destroyed due to Indus floods and Aryan invasions. The period of vedic civilization was 1500-600 B.C. The vedic civilization was divided into early vedic civilization and later vedic civilization. The vedic period occupied prominent role in Indian history. All four vedas were compiled during this period. The famous battle Dasarajna or the battle of ten kings took place during this period. Aryans first settled in Sindh and Punjab regions during the period of early vedic civilization and later they moved to Ganga-Yamuna do-ab during the later vedic civilization. The famous epics Ramayana and Mahabharata were written during period of later vedic civilization. By the end of later vedic period i.e by the end of 6th century B.C Aryans founded sixteen (16) kingdoms. They are called "Shodasa Mahajanapadas". Among the 16 Mahajanapadas Magadha is most powerful. Denying Yagnas and Yagas, killing of animals in sacrifivces and superiority of the Brahmin in the society. Vardhamana Mahavira and Gautama Buddha founded new religion called Jainism and Bouddhim. Vardamana Mahavira was the 24th Trithankara. He taught five principles called "Pancha Vratas". Gautama Buddha was born in 563. His four noble truths are: the world is full of sorrow; desire is the cause of sorrow; sorrows can be removed by conquering desires; following eight fold path. The famous buddhist centres are: Nalanda, Taxila, Amaravati, Karle, Nagarjuna konda, Bodhgaya, Sanchi etc. In 6th century B.C. Persion invasions started on India. The persian emperor Darius conquered some tribal kingdoms in the north-went. Greeks under the leadership of Alexander invaded India in 327 B.C. Alexander conquered some small kingdoms in the North-West. He died in 324 B.C. in Babylon. The Magadha kingdom was ruled by Haryanka Dynasty, Sisunaga dynasty and Nanda Dynasty. Mahapadmananda was the Founder of Nanda dynasty. Dhanananda was the last ruler. He was defeated by Chandra Gupta Maurya who established Mouryan dynastry. Chandra Gupta Maurya (324-298 B.C) was one of the greatest ruler in Indian History. He defeated Selukus Nikator, a general of Alexander. selukus Nikator sent Megasthenes as his ambassador to the Chandragupta's court. Megasthenes wrote 'India". Chandraguptas Prime Minister Chanakya or Kautilya wrote 'Arthasastra' on polity and administration. Chandragupta Maurya dug a tank called sudarsana in Gujrat. Another Mauryan ruler Ashoka was greatest among all the kings in the Indian history. He was the son of Bindusara. After the Kalinga war Ashoka changed his attitude towards non-violence. He became a followed of Buddhism. He dur irrigational canals from Sudarsana lake. He established hospitals for men and animals. Ashoka built Srinagar in Kashmir. He erected 84,000 Stupas as per Buddhist texts. some of the famous Stupas are Barhut. Saranath and Sanchi. After the downfall of Mauryas Sunga dynastry ruled Magadha. Pushyamitra Sunga was the founder of this dynasty. Later Kanva dynasty ruled Magadha. Vasudeva was the founder of this dynasty. Andhras (satavahanas) were the feudatories of the Mauryas. After the downfall of Mauryas they became independent. As per Historians 30 Satavahana kings ruled for 450 years. Among Satavahana king Gautamiputra Satakarni was greatest. The first, second and third centuries of Tamil history is called as 'Sangam Age'. The Sangam literature reveals the history of the three Tamil kingdoms of Chola, Chara and Pandya Kanishka was the greatest among the Kushan rulers. Kanishka started a new Era called Salivahana saka beginning from 18. A.D. The Gupta dynasty ruled nearly 200 years. Chandragupta I was the founder of Gupta dynasty. He ascended the throne in 320 A.D. Samudragupta was one of the great rulers in Indian History. He was called as "Indian Napoleon". The Gupta period was called as 'Dolden Age' in the field of literature. Science and arts. Harshavardhana was the last Hindu king who ruled North India from 606-647 A.D. He belonged to pushyabhuti dynasty. In South after Satavahanas Pallavas founded their independent kingdom. Simhavishnu was the fouder of pallava dynasty Narasimhavarma I was gretest among Pallava rulers. Kanchi was the capital of Pallavas. Badami Chalukys founded their kingdom in Western Deccan around 550 A.D. Pulakesi II was the greatest ruler among Badami Chalukyas. Vatapi or Badami was the capital of Badami Chalakyas.
From the beginning of the muslim invasions on India to the downfall of Mughal Empire is called Medievel Indian History. Arabs invaded India for the first time in 712 A.D. The Muslim rulers who ruled India during the period 1206 to 1526 were known as Delhi Sultans. They ruled India with their capital Delhi. There were five dynasties that ruled Delhi Sultanate. The were Slave, Khilji,Tughluq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties. Muhammad Ghori appointed Qutb-ud-din-Aibak as viceroy to the regions he conquered in India. After the death of Muhammad Ghori Qutb-ud-din-Aibak declared independence in 1206. Aibak being a slave his dynasty was called as Slave dynasty. Iltutmish, Balban, Muhammad Bin Tughluq, Feroz Shah Tughluq, Alauddin Khalji were the famous sultans during the Delhi Sultanate period. In 1526 the last Lodi ruler Ibrahim Lodi was defeated in the hands of the Babar in First Panipat War. This led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India. After the death of the Baber his son Humayun ascended the throne in 1530 A.D. But Humayun was defeated in the hands of Sher Shah in the battle of Kanauj or Belgram in 1540 and lost his empire to Sher Shah. Sher Shah ruled for a short period of five years. His successors ruled upto 1555 A.D. The lost ruler of Sur dynasty was Sikander Sur. He was defeated by Humayun in the war of Sarhind in 1555 A.D and got his lost empire. But humayun ruled for only one year i.e from 1555 to 1556. He died due to accident of falling from the steps of a library. After the death of the Humayun his son Akbar ascended the throne. Akbar built a prayer hall which is known as Ibadat Khana in 1575 at Fatepur Sikri. He founded a new religion called Din-i-Illahi in 1582. But Akbar did not compel any one to join in this new religion. He introduced Ryotwari system. He divided the land into four categories and fixed revenue 1/3 of each category. Raja Todarmal helped the Akbar in introducing this system. In the Army Rajputs were also appointed as Mansabdars. So he developed friendly relations with Rajputs. In 1563 Akbar abolished pilgrimage tax. In 1564 he abolished Zajia. Akbar died in 1605. Jahangir, son of Akbar, ascended the throne in 1605. He ruled upto 1627. Aurangzeb ascended the throne in 1658 and ruled upto 1707. He was a Sunni Muslim. He was intolerant towards other religions. He reimposed Zaziya tax and Pilgrimage tax which were abolished by Akbar. He abolished Nauroz. He executed Sikh Guru Tej Bahadur. The Mughal empire declained after Aurangzeb. There are several reasons for the decline of Mughal empire. Some of them are: continuous wars with Marathas, Religious policy of Aurangzeb, sons of Aurangzeb were not trained to rule vast empire, weak successors of Aurangzeb, invasion of Nadir Shah in 1739, invasion of Ahmed Shah Abdali, third battle of Panipat in 1761 etc.
From the advent of Europeans to the achievement of independence is called Modern Indian History. The Portugues, Danes, French, British, came to India for trade and tried to establish their colonies in India. But finally British only got success in this regard. The war of Plassey laid foundation for the establishment of British rule in India. After the battle of Bauxer English became the real rulers of the Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Later British started the expansion of their empire in India by interfering in the affairs of the native rulers. The wars of Mysore and the wars with Marathas took place in their efforts of expanding their empire in India. The aggressive expansionist policies of Dalhousie led to the out break of the 1857 Revolt. The immediate cause for the out break of Revolt was the introduction of Enfield rifles. But this revolt was suppressed by the British. The result of 1857 Revolt was that the East India company rule was ended in India. The British Government enacted Parliament Act of 1858. As per this Act Indian administration shifted into the hands of the British crown. The Governor General of India was redesignated as viceroy. Viceroy was the representative of British emperor. Lord Canning was appointed as first viceroy of India. The queen victoria promissed in her proclamation in 1858 that she would give good administration to the people of India and protect the rights of native rulers. Accordingly the doctrine of lapse was abolished and the native rulers were permitted to adoption. There were many factors which led to the raise of nationalism among Indians. The first one is British Imperialism. British treated Indians as secondary citizens. This made the people of India to be unite. The Introduction of English language in India Unified the people of India. The activities of Indian Renaissance leaders such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan, Jyotiba Phule etc also created a sense of Nationalism among people. The famous book of Dadabhai Naoroji 'the poverty and the Un-British rule in India' and 'Economic History of India written by R.C. Dutt revealed how the British plundered Indian wealth to England. This awareness created nationalistic feelings among Indians. Many associations were established against the births and to rise the nationalistic feelings among the Indians. Among them Indian National Congress was Prominent one. Freedom struggle in India was divided into there phases. The period from 1885 to 1905 is called the age of Moderates and the period from 1905 to 1920 is called Age of Extremists and the period from 1920 to 1947 is called Gandhian Era. The popular movements against the British and to achieve independence are Vandemataram Movement, Home Rule Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedient Movement or Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement. Mahatma Gandhi who fought against the British with Non-Violence and Satyagraha and sacrifices of many freedom fighters led to achievement of independence on 15th August, 1947