Ancient History of India

Indus Valley Civilization

Since it developed from the Indus River Valley, this civilization is called the Indus Valley Civilization. It was one of the most advanced civilizations in the world and is also known as the Harappan civilization. The Indus Valley Civilization was destroyed either by the arrival of the Aryans or by natural disasters. Brick was an important building material of the Harappan people. Pashupati, the mother goddess, and the bull were the main worshipped deities of the Harappan people. The dog was an animal that the Indus Valley people domesticated. The Sumerians called the Indus Valley people 'Meluha'. The main food grains of the Harappan civilization were wheat and barley. The main trading center of the Harappan people was Lothal. Iron and horses were unknown to the Indus Valley people. The first Harappan city discovered after India's independence was Rupar in Punjab. The Harappan people were the first to cultivate cotton.

Vedic period (BC 1500 - BC 600)

The ancient civilization that existed in India was destroyed with the arrival of the Aryans. The Aryans migrated to India via Punjab. The period of Aryans is known as Vedic Period. It is divided into two as Early Vedic period (BC 1500 to BC 1000) and the Later Vedic period (BC 1000 to BC 600). The meaning of word Aryan is warrior, knowledgeable and honorable. Their main cultivations are Wheat and Barley.

Buddhism

In 563 BC, Siddhartha was born with all kinds of good fortune as the son of Shuddhodhana, the leader of the Shakya dynasty and the ruler of Kapilavastu, and Mayadevi. Since he was born in the Shakya dynasty, he was also known as Shakyamuni. However, Siddhartha was not interested in pleasures from childhood. His father, who was always thoughtful and silent, married him to Yashodhara at the age of eighteen. Once, while walking along the road, the sights he saw made Siddhartha sad. After that, Siddhartha, who was silent, left all pleasures, his wife, and his son one night. Siddhartha immersed himself in intense meditation to find the ultimate truth. While meditating under a pipe tree in Gaya, he attained enlightenment. Thus, Siddhartha became the Buddha. After enlightenment, the Buddha's first sermon was in Sarnath, near Varanasi. The Buddha's sermon was in the common language of the people, "Ardhamagadhi". He strongly opposed the religious and social evils that existed at that time and the caste system in the Hindu community. Believing that the cause of all human suffering is desire and that only by giving up desire can the problems of life be solved, he proposed the Ashtanga Marga as a solution. Thus, his Buddhism was able to spread throughout the country.

Buddhism is based on the principle of the Eightfold Path. The Three Jewels of Buddhism are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. The event when the Buddha renounced everything, left the palace, and took up sannyasa is called the "Great Renunciation." The death of the Buddha is known as "Parinirvana." The Buddhist scriptures are the "Tripitaka".

Buddhist principles

The basic principles of Buddhism are four. These are called the "Four Noble Truths".

The Eight Fold Path - Right Belief, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Meditation

Jainism

The founder of Jainism is Vardhamana Mahavira. Mahavira was born in Vaishali in 540 BC. Rishabha Deva was the first Tirthankara of Jainism. The word 'Tirthankaras' means those who have received the ring of the hand. Mahavira attained enlightenment at the age of forty-two in the village of Jrumbhi. Jamali was one of Mahavira's main disciples. Jainism was divided into two sects, 'Swetambaras' and 'Digambaras', at the first Jain council. The first Jain council was held in Pataliputra in 310 BC. The second Jain council was held in Vallabhi in 453 AD.

Mahajanapadas

The 'Mahajanapadas' were 16 small kingdoms in northern India. The major kingdoms were Magadha, Kosala, Avanti and Vatsama. The dominant kingdom during the time of the Buddha was Kosala. Ayodhya and Saketa were two cities of Kosala. Kosala eventually came under the control of Magadha. The capital of Magadha was first Girivraja, then Rajagriha and then Pataliputra. The first known king of Magadha was Brihadratha. Bimbisara, a contemporary of the Buddha and Mahavira, was the main king who ruled Magadha. 'Pataliputra' was founded by Ajatasatru. It is believed that the Buddha and Mahavira attained samadhi during the time of Ajatasatru.

Alexander's Invasion of India

Among the finest generals in history is Alexander the Great. He was born at Pella, the Macedonian Empire's capital, around 356 BC. His parents were the Queen of Epirus and King Philip II of Macedonia. Alexander had been influenced by the Greek warrior Achilles since he was a young boy. Consequently, he always had the Iliad with him. Alexander began studying under Aristotle in 343 BC. Bucephalus was his favorite horse. At the age of 20, Alexander assumed power in Macedonia in 336 BC. Alexander started his well-known campaigns in 334 BC. He entered Egypt after defeating the Persians. He established the city of Alexandria there around 331 BC. Alexander conquered India in 326 BC. Ambi, the king of Taxila, gave up. Many local monarchs later gave themselves up to Alexander without resistance. The king of the area between the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, Purushottam (Porus), confronted Alexander but was unable to maintain his position. In the Battle of the Hydaspases, Alexander triumphed over Porus, the Indian monarch. Despite his defeat, Alexander consented to give Porus back the lands he had taken. The return of Alexander from India started in October 326 BC. The gang had numerous challenges while traveling through Afghanistan to reach Persia. In 323 BC, he passed away in Babylonia.

Mauryan Empire

In 321 BC, Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta's rule brought relief to the people who were struggling with foreign invasions. Chandragupta's son Bindusara succeeded Chandragupta. He led the country to a better economic situation. Bindusara was succeeded by his son Ashoka. After Ashoka, the Mauryan Empire came to the brink of collapse. Ashoka's non-violence and Buddhist principles as a political policy led to the decline of the Mauryan military power and the rise of disintegration in the country. In 185 BC, the last Mauryan king, Brihadratha, was killed by his general Pushyamitra. Then, Pushyamitra, a Brahmin, founded the Sunga dynasty.

Kalinga Dynasty

After the collapse of the Mauryan Empire, Mahadeva Vahana, a Chedi dynasty from Madhya Pradesh, established power in Kalinga. The most famous king of that dynasty was Kharavela (176 - 163 BC), the grandson of Mahadeva Vahana. Kharavela was a king who was interested in the welfare of the people. Information about Kharavela is found in the 'Hathigumpha Inscription' found at Udayagiri near Cuttack.

Satavahana Dynasty (230 BC – 220 BC)

The founder of the Satavahana dynasty was Simuha. The Satavahanas are also known as 'Andhrakars'. Their center of rule was Andhradesam, one of the states of Ashoka. After Ashoka's death, Simuha led them to conquer this region and establish the Satavahana dynasty with 'Srikakulam' as their capital. Gautamiputra Satakarni, Gautamiputra Yajnaashree, Pulamavi etc. are the Satavahana kings. The rule of the Satavahanas is an important chapter in the history of India. Prakrit was the official language. When foreigners like the Yavanas tried to establish dominance, the Satavahanas protected India. The pillars at Amaravati, Goli and Nagarjunakonda were built by the Satavahanas.

Indo Greek Kingdom

India was often invaded by foreigners starting in the second century BC. The Bactrian Greeks created the first of these. In the third century BC, Bactria (northern Afghanistan), which had been ruled by the Greeks during Alexander's reign, gained its independence. The Bactrian monarchs' position was not stable, though. They were continuously under danger from the Scythians (Sakans) of Central Asia. The Bactrians were compelled to relocate towards India as the Scythian invasions grew more intense.

Saka Dynasty

In the northwest regions of India, the Saka people dominated after the Indo-Greeks. In Indian history, the Central Asian group known as the Scythians is called Saka. The Saka were shepherds and nomads. They eventually shifted to farming. The Saka people became masters of the trade routes because of their exceptional ability to use animals for transportation. They migrated east as Central Asia's pastures started to dry up. But the Great Wall was constructed by the Chinese emperor Shi Huangdi, who prevented the Saka people from moving forward. The Saka shifted their attention to Bactria after this. While some of their branches raided India, others settled in Afghanistan.

Sunga Dynasty (187 BC – 75 BC)

A Ujjain Brahmin sect known as the Sunga held positions of authority under the Mauryans. In 183 BC, Pushyamitra Sunga, the commander of the final Mauryan king, took control after killing his master, Brihadratha. He is frequently characterized as a fervent supporter of Brahmanism. Two horse sacrifices are attributed to Pushyamitra Sunga. He is portrayed as a Buddhist persecutor in Buddhist literature. According to these scriptures, Pushyamitra destroyed numerous Buddhist stupas and monasteries.

Kanva Dynasty (BC 75 – BC 28)

Vasudeva Kanva established the Kanva Dynasty around 75 BC. By killing Devabhuti, the final ruler of the Sunga dynasty, Vasudeva Kanva gained power. Up to 28 BC, the Kanva Dynasty remained in power.

Kushan Empire

Kadphisus I established the Kushan Empire in the first century AD. From 78 to 120 AD, Kanishka was the most prominent ruler of this dynasty. He extended his dominion to Afghanistan and Bactria, establishing 'Purushapuram' (modern-day Peshawar) as its capital. Kanishka took control of Punjab, Sindh, Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh in India. There are still remnants of buildings constructed by Kanishka in Purushpuram, Takshashila, and Mathura. In 78 AD, Kanishka began the Saka period. Chaitra is the first month of the Saka era, while Phalguna is the last. In India, gold coins were initially introduced by the Kushans. During the reign of Kanishka, the Fourth Buddhist Council took place. The Buddha's image was initially engraved on coins by Kanishka, the first monarch to do so. The court of Kanishka was visited by scholars such as Nagarjuna, Ashwaghosha, Vasumitra, Charaka, and Sushruta.

Sangam period (BC 300 – AD 300)

The Sangam works provide information about the social structure and agricultural systems that existed at that time. Tamil Nadu was divided into five regions. Regions have unique geographical structures and corresponding labor practices. The five regions are Kurunji, Palai, Mullai, Marutham and Neithal. Kurunji is the mountainous region, Palai is the dry region, Mullai is the forest region, Marutham is the arable land in the river valley and Neithal is the coastal region.

Pandya Dynasty

The Pandya Dynasty is one of the oldest dynasties in South India. The first mention of the Pandyas was made by Megasthenes. He described it as a pearl-producing kingdom. The Ashoka Edicts also mention this kingdom, and the early Pandya kingdom was located at the southern tip of the peninsula. It included the present-day districts of Madurai, Ramnadu, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari.

Chola Dynasty

The Chola dynasty was one of the dynasties that ruled South India. The Coromandel coast from Nellore to Pudukkottai was part of the Chola kingdom. The Chola kingdom was the area between the Pennar and Vellar rivers. It was located on the eastern coast of South India. The eastern coast is also known as the Coromandel coast. The Chola kingdom included the present-day Thanjavur and Trichinella districts and a part of the old Pudukkottai state. The center of political power of the Cholas was Uraiyur.

Chera Dynasty

During the Sangam era, one of the main groups that controlled Tamil Nadu was the Cheras. The state of Kerala and a few areas of the districts of Salem and Coimbatore were part of the early Chera empire. The Cheras shared the same rank and authority as the Cholas and Pandyas in the early decades of the Christian era. Perumchottu Udiyan Cheralathan was the first Chera king of the Sangha era. He was Karikala Chola's contemporary. Imayavaramban Nedumcheralathan, his successor, engaged in combat with the Banavasi Kadambars. Additionally, he battled and defeated the Yavanas. Chenguttuvan was the most well-known of the early Cheras. He loved books and the arts very much. He took action to advance business and trade. The Patittupat is a work that throws light on the history of the early Chera kings.

Pallava Dynasty

One of the most significant dynasties to rule South India was the Pallavas of Kanchi. Regarding the origin of the Pallavas, historians cannot agree. Although there is no proof that the Parthians migrated to South India, one school of thought contends that the Pallavas were descended from the foreign Parthians. Although there is little evidence to support this theory, another school of thought contends that the Pallavas were a branch of the Deccan's Vakadakas, a Brahmin dynasty. A different perspective holds that the Pallavas were a native dynasty that arose following the fall of the Ikshvaku kingdom. This idea claimed that the Pallavas were Nagas.

Gupta Empire (AD 3rd Century – AD 550)

India did not have a stable government until the fall of the Mauryan Empire until the Gupta Empire was founded in 320 AD. The Gupta era is referred described by historians as the "golden age" of Indian history. Chandragupta I, Chandragupta II, and Samudragupta were the three main rulers of the Gupta Empire.

Huns Invasion of India

North India and the Deccan were split up into numerous separate kingdoms when the Gupta Empire fell. Kingdoms like Vakadam and Malavam rose to prominence. The Huns also took control. In the fourth century AD, a primordial race known as the Huns traveled from Central Asia to the central regions of Europe. Some of them launched attacks on Persia and India, but Skandagupta routed them. Following their mass invasion of India, the Huns overran Gandhara and vanquished the Shakas and Kushans. With Sialkot as the capital, the Hun chieftain Toraman ruled as "Maharajadhi Rajan" in the sixth century after subduing Punjab and Rajputana. In 510 AD, his son Mihirakulan succeeded Toraman as king. With the death of Mihirakulan, the Hun dynasty declined and was uprooted by the invasion of the Turks. The Gupta Empire collapsed with the arrival of the Huns.

Chalukya Dynasty (Chalukyas)

The Chalukyas were a prominent political power that emerged in the Deccan after the fall of the Satavahanas. They became a dominant power in the 6th century AD. The origin of the Chalukyas is unclear. There were three branches among them;

(1) Western Chalukyas or Chalukyas of Vatapi

(2) Later Western Chalukyas or Chalukyas of Kalyani

(3) Eastern Chalukyas or Chalukyas of Vengi

Harshavardhana Empire

Harshavardhana, a monarch of the Pushyabhuti dynasty, restored India's splendor and tradition, which had been destroyed during the Gupta era. At the age of sixteen, Harshavardhana came to power in 606 AD. Thaneswar served as the first capital. Kannauj was later selected as the capital. Harshavardhana is regarded as North India's final Hindu ruler. When Harshavardhana was in power, Xuanzang traveled to India. Harshavardhana dispatched a mission to China in AD 641. The first Indian leader to forge diplomatic ties with China was Harshavardhana. Harshavardhana was a contemporary of Mahendravarman I and Pulikesi II. Harshavardhana is the author of the Sanskrit dramas Nagananda, Priyadarshika, and Ratnavali. The most prominent poet in his court was Banabhatta. Harshacharitam and Kadambari are works written by Banabhatta. Harshavardhana was defeated by the Chalukya king Pulikesi II in the battle of the Narmada basin.

Nalanda University

During Harsha's time, Nalanda University was the most well-known educational institution. The founder of it was Kumaragupta I. It was a Buddhist monastery called Nalanda. It then developed into one of India's top educational establishments. The accounts of Xuanzang provide a wealth of important information concerning Nalanda. He explains the university's structure, scholarly debates, and the specifics of the research.

Rajput Dynasty

The Rajputs took control after Harshavardhana's passing. Kashmir, Malwa, Chedi, Sangal, Gandhara, Sindh, Gujarat, and Kanauj were the principal Rajput kingdoms. They were Hindus, the Rajputs. They had a well-organized political structure. During this time, advancements were also made in the domains of literature and art. During this time, Somadeva wrote Kathasarit Sagaram of Kashmir. The Rajputs' artistic brilliance is demonstrated by the temples at Khajuraho and Bhubaneswar's Lingaraja Temple.