Important Chapters In Indian History
326 BC – The troops of Alexander The Great knock on India’s northern gates and decide turnback.
321 BC – The Mauryan empire is founded by Chandragupta Maurya and controlled Central, Eastern and western India.The empire reached its peak under Emperor Ashoka The Great who seized power in 272 BC.He extended the empire form Afghanistan to Assam and from Himalayas to Mysore.Much dismayed by the death and destruction wrought by his unrelenting conquests, he converted to Buddhism after the battle of Kalinga.He consolidated his rule and encourages arts, crafts and architecture.He introduced new political and social systems and sent missionaries to the places as far as Sri Lanka and Nepal to propagate Buddhism.So impressed was the Greek envoy Megasthenes that he went on records describing the wealth of their capital Patliputra (modern day Patna).Stupa,pillars and edicts scattered across the country in Sanchi, Sarnath and Mathura gave a glimpse of the vastness of the Mauryan Empire.Emperor Ashoka’s standard (four lions sitting back to nack on top of an abacus decorated with a frieze and the inscription Let Truth Alone Triumph) is the seal of modern day India.This period is also known as Classic period.
800 AD – The south was dominated by many great dynasties like Cholas, Pandyas, Chalukyas and Pallavs.In 850,the Cholas emerged supreme and dominated south India, the Deccan Plateau, Sri Lanka and parts of Malay Peninsula.They reached their peak under the king Raja Raja (984 – 1014).The Cholas were the great patrons of the art and were responsible for the remarkable temples of the Thanjavur and Kumbakonam.
700 AD – Islam comes to roost with the establishment of Sultanate of Delhi by Qutubuddin Aibak.He initiated several magnificent building projects which included the Qutub Minar – a Victory Tower.The Delhi Sultanate was really consolidated by Muhammad Bin Tughalaq.
1336 AD – The ruins of Hampi demonstrates the power of coalition of Hindu Kingdoms that rose to power in the South of Deccan.Their Muslim neighbours eventually defeated them in the battle of Talikot.The fascinating architecture spawned by them reflects motifs from both Hindu and Islam culture.
1526 AD – The Mughal Empire started what was to be an eventful period of the Indian history at around this time.It weas established by Babur The tiger who vanquished a combined army led by Ibrahim Lodhi and the Hindu Raja of Gwalior in an epic battle of Panipat in 1526.When he died four years later, the empire was far from consolidated.The most of his son Humayun could do was win back the throne.When Humayun died his son inherited the throne at at the tender age of 13.Little knowing that fate had already decried,he would be the greatest Mughal Emperor of all times.His name was Akbar.The onus of creating the Mughal Empire fell on his tender shoulders and he proved equal to the task.He was a great patron of arts and crafts and gave India monuments that exist to this day.After Akbar’s death, his son Prince Salim inherited the empire as Jehangir.He added little to the territory but strengthened the hold of the empire in the far reaches of the Himalayan foothills and Central India.The Mughal Empire was attacked in the Deccan and the northwest when Shah Jahan took over.He was successful in consolidating only the Deccan region. However his greatest gift to the world was undoubtedly – Taj Mahal.It was built in the memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.In the struggle of succession that followed Shah Jahan’s illness, the highly intelligent strategist – Aurangzeb , emerged as the winner.He was almost 40 and the empire was facing severe financial difficulties.It was also becoming rather unwieldy in terms of its size and was in the danger of imploding.He was continuously fighting on all fronts to preserve his might.
1690 AD – The advent of the Europeans was heralded with the Portuguese setting shop at Goa. This was followed by the British owned east India Company.They effectively ruled India for next 250 years.
1947 onwards – The struggle for freedom was long and arduous. It also resulted in India being broken up into two distinct countries.India emerged as world’s largest democracy and has seen rapid economic and social progress – though not to the extent its potential demands.
