Indian History: From Harappa to Independence

This section follows Indian history in order, from the brick cities of Harappa around 2600 BCE to the transfer of power in August 1947. It covers the empires and dynasties, the battles that decided who ruled, and the people who led the fight for independence, with the key dates and facts you need for exams and the background that makes them make sense.

Where historians disagree, or where a famous story is legend rather than recorded fact, each article says so. Sources are listed at the end of every post.

Start here: Indian history in order

Ancient India

• The Harappan Civilization: India’s first cities
• The rise of the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya
• The Kalinga War (261 BCE) and Ashoka the Great
• The Gupta Empire and why it is called a golden age

Medieval India

• The Chola dynasty and its navy
• The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526), dynasty by dynasty
• The Vijayanagara Empire and Hampi
• The three Battles of Panipat
• The Mughal Empire, from Babur to Aurangzeb
• Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Modern India and the freedom struggle

• British rule in India: how it began and what it changed
• Rani Lakshmibai and the 1857 uprising
• The Indian freedom struggle: a timeline
• Bhagat Singh, Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel