History (Ancient, Medieval & Modern) • Topic 1 of 4

Ancient India

The Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilisation (c. 2600–1900 BCE) was a Bronze-Age, town-planned culture; key sites include Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. The Mauryan Empire (322 BCE, Chandragupta Maurya, guided by Chanakya) peaked under Ashoka; the Gupta Age is called the 'Golden Age'.

The sweep of Indian history at a glance

322 BCEMaurya 320 CEGupta 1206Sultanate 1526Mughals 1757British 1947Free
Ancient → Medieval → Modern, anchored to six dates worth memorising.

Ancient India — the essentials

EraKey facts
Indus Valley (c. 2600–1900 BCE)Bronze Age, planned cities; Harappa (Ravi), Mohenjo-daro (Indus)
Vedic Agefour Vedas; Rigveda is the oldest
Maurya (322 BCE)Chandragupta + Chanakya (Arthashastra); Ashoka → Buddhism after Kalinga (261 BCE)
Gupta (4th–6th c. CE)the "Golden Age" of maths, astronomy, art

✅ Solved examples

1. Who founded the Mauryan Empire?
Chandragupta Maurya, in 322 BCE.
2. After which war did Ashoka embrace Buddhism?
The Kalinga War (261 BCE).
3. Which is the oldest Veda?
The Rigveda.
4. Who wrote the Arthashastra?
Chanakya (Kautilya), minister to Chandragupta Maurya.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. Name a major Indus Valley city on the Indus river.
Bronze Age site.
In present-day Pakistan (Sindh).
—
Mohenjo-daro
2. The Gupta period is famous as the ___ Age.
Peak of arts & science.
—
—
Golden Age
3. Which dynasty did Ashoka belong to?
Founded by Chandragupta.
—
—
Maurya dynasty
4. How many Vedas are there?
Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharva.
—
—
Four
5. In which year was the Kalinga War fought?
3rd century BCE.
—
—
261 BCE

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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Medieval India →