BRIEF NOTES ON PRE-INDIAN HISTORY

Mahajanapada Period (600 B.C- 325 B.C)

Haryanaka Dynasty:- 544 B.C 412 B.C

Bimbisara (Shronika):- 544 B.C 492 B.C

1. He was the founder of the Harayanka dynasty.2. He was the contemporary of Gautama Buddha.3. He gained a part of Kashi as the dowry in his marriage with the sister of king Prasenjit of Kosala.4. He sent a royal physician , Jivakato to Ujjain when Avanti king Pradyota was attacked by jaundice.5. He was the first king who had a regular and standing army.6. He built the city of new Rajagriha.

Ajatashatru(Kunika):- 492 B.C- 460 B.C

1. Ajatashatru killed his father Bimbisara and seized the throne.

Udayin:- 460 B.C- 440 B.C

1. Ajatashatru was succeeded by his son Udayin.2. He laid the foundation of the city of Patliputra.3. Udayin was succeeded by Nagadasak and Nagadasak was succeeded by Shisunaga and laid the foundation of Shisunaga dynasty.

Nanda Dynasty:- 344 B.C- 323 B.C1. The Shisunaga dynasty was overthrown by the Mahapadma who established the new dynasty.2. Nanda was described as The first Empire builder of Indian history.3. Mahapadma was succeeded by his son Dhanananda.4. During the rule of the Dhanananda, invansion of Alexander the great took place in North-west India in 326 B.C.5. Dhanananda commanded a huge Army.6. The Nanda came to an end about 322-21 B.C was supplemented by another dynasty known as Mauryas, with Chandragupta Maurya as the founder.Alexanders Invansion:- 326 B.C1. In the 4th century B.C, The Greek and the Iranian fought for the supremacy of the world. Under the leadership of Alexander of Macedonia the Greek finally destroyed the Iranian empire.2. Alexander succeeded his father Philip to the throne of Macedonia.3. Alexander invaded India in 326 B.C and defeated the Porus at bank of river Jhelum.4. He reached Babylon in 323 B.C where he died at age of 33.

Maurya Period:- ( 322 B.C- 185 B.C)

1. Kautilyas Arthashastra:- It is the most important literary source for the Mauryas. It is a treatise on Government and polity. It gives a clear and methodological analysis of political and economic conditions of the Mauryan period.2. Megastheneses Indica:- Megasthenese was the Ambassador of Selecues Nikator in the court of Chandragupta Maurya.3. Vishaka Dattas Mudra Rakshasa:- Written during Gupta period, it described how Chandragupta Maurya get assistance to overthrow the Nandas.4. Chandragupta Maurya:- 322 B.C- 298 B.Ca. Chandragupta Maurya dethroned the last Nanda Ruler Dhananada and occupied Patliputra in 322 B.C with the help of Kautilya.b. In 305 B.C, Chandragupta Maurya defeated Selecus Nikator.c. Megasthenese was a Greek ambassador sent to the court of Chandragupta Maurya by Selecus Nikator.d. Chandraguta Maurya became a jain and went to Chandragiri hill, Sravanbelgola with Bhadrabahu, where he died by slow starvation.

5. Bindusara:- 298 B.C- 273 B.C

a. Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by his son Bindusara.b. Bindusara, known to the Greeks as Amitrochates or Amitraghata.

6. Ashoka-The Great:- 273 B.C- 232 B.C

a. According to Buddhist traditions, Ashoka usurped the throne after killing his 99 brothers and spared Tissa, the youngest one. Radhagupta a minister of Bindusara helped him in fratricidal struggle.b. Ashoka fought the Kalinga war in 261 B.C.c. After Ashokas death, the Mauryan empire was divided into two parts- Western and Eastern.d. The Western part came to be ruled by Kunala(Son of Ashoka) and the Eastern part was ruled by Dasaratha.e. The last Ruler of Maurya dynasty Brihadratha, was murdered by Commander-in-chief, Pushyamitra Sunga, Who established his own Sunga dynasty. f. Some of the major Ashokan Edicts and inscriptions:-i. 14 Major Rock Edicts contains Various principles of Dhamma.ii. 2 Kalinga Rock edicts- New system of administration after the Kalinga war.iii. Minor rock edicts- Personal history of Ashoka and summary of his Dhamma.iv. Bhabru-Bairat Rock edicts- Ashokas conversion to Buddhism.v. 2 Tarai pillar edicts- Ashokas respects for Buddhism.

7. Sunga Dyansty:- 185 B.C- 73 B.C

a. Sunga dynasty was established by Pushyamitra Sunga, a Brahmin Commander-in-chief of last Mauryan ruler named Brihadratha in 185 B.C.b. Pushyamitra Sunga was succeeded by his son Agnimitra the hero of Kalidasas drama Malvikagnimitrac. Patanjali, the author of the Mahabhasya, Patanjali was the priest of 2 Ashvamedha Yajnas performed by Pushyamitra.d. Devabhuti, the last ruler of the Sunga dynasty was murdered by his minister Vasudeva and founded the Kanva dynasty, from 73 B.C- 28 B.C.

8. Satavahana Dynasty:- 60 B.C- 225 A.D

a. Simuka was the founder of this dynasty.b. Satakarni-I, its third ruler raised its power and prestige by conquests.c. Gautamputra Satakarni was the greatest ruler of this dynasty.d. Pulamavi-III its 30th ruler was the last ruler.e. Satavahanas was finally succeeded by the Ikshvakus in the 3rd century A.D.f. The official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit. And lipi Brahami.g. Foreign successors of Mauryas, the Indo-Greeks in 2nd century B.C, The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menander also known as the Milinda. He was converted to Buddhism by Nagasena or Nagarjuna.h. Greeks were the first to issue the gold coins.i. The Sakas also known as the Scythians, replaced the Indo-Greeks in India, The most famous Saka ruler in India was Rudradaman.j. In about 58 B.C, A king of Ujjain Vikramaditya is supposed to have fought against the Sakas, and An rea Vikram Samvat is reckoned from 58 B.C.k. Originally the Parthians lived in Iran, they replaced the Sakas in north-western India.l. The most famous Ruler of the Parthian was Gondopherenes in whose reign St. Thomas is said to have come to India for the propagation of the Christianity.

9. The Kushanas:- 1st Century B.C -1st Century A.D

a. The Kushana were one of the five Yeuchi clans of Central Asia.b. They replaced the Parthians in North-western India.c. The first Kushan dynasty was founded by Kadphises/Kujul Kadhphises and the second Kushan dynasty was founded by Kanishka, most famous ruler also known as the Second Ashoka. He started an era in 78 A.D which is now known as Saka era and is used by the Government of India.d. Kanishka was a great patron of Mahayana Buddhism. In his reign 4th Buddhist council was held in Kundalavana.e. The last great ruler of Kushana dynasty was Vasudeva-I.f. The Kushana was the first rulers in India to issue gold coins on a widw scale.g. In a royal court of Kanishka a host of scholars found patronage- Vasumitra, Ashvaghosa, Nagarjuna, Charak etc.

Religious Movement- 600 B.C- 400 B.C

1. Buddhism:-

a. Gautam Buddha, founder of the Buddhism, was born in 563 B.C at Lumbinivana in Kapilvastu in the Sakya clan.b. His father Suddhodhana was the republican king of Kapilvastu and mother Mahamaya was a princess of Kosala dynasty.c. After his mothers death, he was brought up by his step mother and aunt Mahaprajapati Gautami.d. His father married him at an early age to Yashodhara for whom he had a son Rahul.e. Four sights- An old man, a deceased person, a dead body, and an ascetic proved to be a turning point in his carrier.f. At age of 29 he renounced home, this was his Mahabhinishkranmna and became a wandering ascetic.g. His teacher was Alara Kalama from whom he learnt the technique of Meditation.h. At the age of 35, under a pipal tree at Uruvella (Bodhgaya) on the bank of river Niranjana, he attained Nirvana.i. Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath (Dear park) to his five disciples, this is known as Dharmachakra Pravartana.j. He died at age of 80 in 483 B.C at Kushinagar, this is known as Mahaparinirvana.k. Symbols related to great events of Buddhas life:-(1). Janma (Birth)- Lotus and Bull(2). Mahabhinishkramana (Renunciation)- Horse(3). Nirvana (Enlightment)- Bodhi tree(4). Mahaparinirvana (Death)- Stupa.l. Kanthak- Buddhas Horse, Channa- Buddhas Charioteer, Devadatta- Buddhas Cousin, Sujata- the farmers daughter who gave him rice milk at Bodh Gaya.

2. Buddhism councils:-

a. 1st Buddhist council held at Rajgriha in 483 B.C under the chairmanship of Mahakassapa.(Patron- Ajatashatru), Result of 1st council was compilation of Sutta-pitaka, Vinaya pitaka by Aanad and Upali respectively.b. 2nd Buddhist council was held at Vaishali in 383 B.C under the chairmanship of Sabbakami.(Patron- Kalashoka).c. 3rd Buddhist council was held at Patliputra in 250 B.C under the chairmanship of Mogalipotta Tissa.(Patron- Ashoka). Result of the third Councils was compilation of Abhidhamma pitaka and decision to send missionaries to various parts of the world.d. 4th Buddhist councils was held at Kundalavana, Kashmir in 98 A.D under the chairmanship of Vashumitra.(Patron- Kanishka). Result of this councils was the division of Buddhist into Hinayana and Mahayana.

3. Jainism:-

a. According to Jain traditions, there were 24 Tirthanakars.b. Rishabaha was the first Tirthanakars. And last 24th was Mahavira.c. Mahavira was born in 540 B.C in Kundagrama near Vaishali in Bihar.d. His father Siddhatha was the head of the Jnathrika Kshatriya clan under Vajji of Vaishali and his mother Trishala was the sister of Chetaka, the king of the Vaishali.e. Mahavira was married to Yashoda and produced a daughter Anonja priyadarshini whose husband Jamali, became the first disciple of Mahavira.f. At age of 30, after the death of his parents, he renounced his family, became an ascetic.g. At age of 42 under a Sal tree at Jimbhikagrama on the bank of river Rijupalika, Mahavira attained Kaivalya.(Supreme knowledge).h. He delivered his first sermon at Pava to his 11 disciples.i. At age of 72 in 468 B.C, he paased away at Pavapuri in Bihar. Sudharma only one of 11 Gandharas who survived after the death of Mahavira.

Gupta Period- 319 A.D 540 A.D

In the 4th Century A.D a new dynasty, the Guptas, arose in the Magadha and established a large kingdom over a great part of northern India, this rule lasted for more than 200 years.This period is referred as the Classical Age and Golden Age of ancient India and most prosperous era in the Indian history.According to the epigraphic evidence, the founder of the dynasty was a person named Gupta. He used the simple title of Maharaja.

1. Chandragupta-I:- 319 AD.- 334 A.D

a. He was the first Gupta ruler to assume the title of Maharajadhiraja.b. He started the Gupta era in 319-320 A.D.

2. Samudragupta:- 335 A.D- 380 A.D

a. He was the greatest king of Gupta dynasty.b. The most and authentic record of his reign is preserved in the Prayaga prasasti / Allahabad pillar inscription, composed by his court poet Harisena.c. He was also called as Napoleon of India by V.A.Smith.d. According to Chinese writer Wang-Hiuen-Tse, Meghavarna, king of Sri Lanka sent an embassy to Samudragupta for his permission to build a monastery for Buddhist Pilgrims at Bodh Gaya.

3. Chandragupta-II:- 380 A.D 414 A.D

a. According to the Devi Chandragupta (Vishakhadatta), Samudragupta was succeeded by Ramagupta. It seems Ramgupta ruled for a very short period. E was the only Gupta ruler to issue copper coins.b. Ramagupta was very Coward and impotent ruler, agreed to surrender his queen Dhruvadevi to Saka invader. But prince Chandragupta-II, the younger brother of the king resolved to go to enemys camp in the guise of the queen with a view to kill the hated enemy. Finally, Chandragupta-II was succeeded in killing the Saka ruler. And he killed Ramagupta, seized his kingdom and also married his widow Dhruvadevi.c. Chandragupta-II extended the limits of Empire by Matrimonial alliance.d. Chandragupta-II Nine Jems (Navaratnas):-i. Kalidasaii. Amarsinhiii. Dhanvantariiv. Varahmihirav. Vararuchivi. Ghatakarnavii. Kshapranakviii. Velabhattaix. Shankue. During the period of Chandragupta-II Chinese pilgrim Fahien visited India.

4. Kumaragupta:- 415 A.D- 455 A.D

a. Chandragupta-II was succeeded by his son Kumaragupta-I.b. Towards the end of his reign, the gupta empire was threatened from the North by the Huns, who was temporarily checked by his son Skandagupta.c. Kumaragupta was the worshipper of god Kartikeya.d. He founded the Nalanda Mahavihara which develop in to a great centre of learning.

5. Skandagupta:- 455 A.D 467 A.D

a. The last great ruler of the Gupta dynasty.b. During his reign, Gupta empire was invaded by the Huns.Notes:-i. In the Gupta period, for the first time civil and criminal law were clearly defined and demarcated.ii. The first example of sati appears in the Gupta time in 510 A.D in Eran in M.P.iii. Manusmriti was translated in English under the title of Institute of Hindu Law by Williams Jones.iv. Abhijana Shakuntalam was translated in English by Williams Jones.v. Kalidasa is known as the Shakespeare of Indiavi. Kamasutra is the earliest book on sex.

Varadhana dynasty:- 550 A.D- 647 A.D

a. Pushyabhuti or Varadhana dynasty was founded at Thaneswar by Pushyabhuti, the first important ruler of the dynasty was Prabhakaravardhana. And he was succeeded by his elder son Rajyavardhana.b. Rajyavardhana was killed by Shashanka in 606 A.D.c. After kiiling of Rajyavardhana, his younger brother, Harshavardhana also known as Siladitya, ascended the throne in 606 A.D and from this year started the Harsha era.d. Pulkesin-II of Chalukya dynasty of Vadami defeated Harsha at bank of river Narmada.e. During the Harshas period Hiuen-Tsang visited India.f. Hiuen-Tsang mentions two celebrated events of Harshas reign. The assemblies at Kannauj and at Paryaga. The Kannuaj assembly (643 A.D) was held in honour of Hiuen-Tsang and to popularise Mahayana sect of Buddhism. The Prayaga assembly was held in 643-644 A.D. In Prayaga Harshavardhana used to celebrate religious festivals at the end of every five years at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.g. He wrote three Sanskrit plays- Nagananda, Ratnavali, and Priyadarsika.h. His author was Banabhatta who wrote Harshcharita

States of Deccan and South India

Chalukyas of Vatapi/Vadami:- 543 A.D- 755 A.D

1. Chalukyas established their capital at Vatapi in the district of Bijapur Karnataka.2. Pulakesin-II was the great ruler who defeated Harshavardhana.3. Pallava ruler Narsimhavarmana invaded the Chalukyas kingdom, killed Pulakesin II and captured Vatapi, he adopted the title of Vatapikonda.4. In 757 A.D, Chalukyas were overthrown by their feudatories, the Rashtrakutas.

Pallavas of Kanchi:- 575-897 A.D

1. Both Chalukyas and pallavas tried to establish their supremacy over land between Krishna and Tungabhadra.2. Pallvas king Narsimhavaramana occupied Chalukyan capital Vatapi in about 642 A.D and assumed the title Vatapikonda.i.e conqueror of Vatapi.

Tripartite Struggle:-

1. Towards the close of the 8th century A.D, there were three great power in India- the palas in the East, the Gurjar-Partihara in the North and the Rashtrakutas in the Deccan.2. The main cause for this struggle was the desire to posses the city of Kannauj which was then a symbol of Sovereinity.

Palas:- 750 A.D- 1150 A.D

1. Gopala founded the Pala empire in 750 A.D2. His son Dharampala succeeded him, Dharampala revived Nalanda University.3. Dharampala founded the Vikramshila University.4. Pala dynasty was succeeded by Sena dynasty of Bengal. Jayadeva of Gita Govinda was the great court poet of Luxman sen.

5. Pratiharas:- 730 A.D- 1036 A.D, Bhoja/Mihir Bhoja was the greatest ruler of this dynasty.

6. Rashtrakutas was founded by Dantidurga, the greatest ruler of this dynasty was Govinda-III and Amoghvarsha.

7. The famous rock-cut temple of shiva at Ellora was built by one of the Rashtrakutas king Krishna-I.

8. Prithviraj Chauhan:- 1178-92 A.D, He ruled over Delhi and Agra and fought two important battles, First battle of Tarain was fought in 1192 A.D between the Prithviraj Chauhan and Mohammad Ghori in which Ghori was defeated. And Second battle of Tarain was also fought between them, in which he defeated the Chauhan.

9. Jaichand was the last Rajput ruler who was also defeated and killed by Mohammad Ghori in the battle of Chandawar in 1194 A.D

10. Rana Kumbha, the Sisodiya ruler of the Mewar, the Rana Kumbha was the famous ruler of the Mewar. He defeated the Mohammad Khilji and erected the Tower of Victory (Kirti Stambha) in Chittor. His successors Rana Sanga and Rana Pratap were also great rulers of the Mewar.

Chola Empire:- 850- 1279 A.D

1. The founder of the chola dynasty was Vijayalaya.2. Capital- Tanjore, Gangaikodacholapuram.3. Greatest chola rulers were Rajaraja and his son Rajendra-I.4. Rajaraja built Vrihadeshwar/ Rajarajeshwar temple at Tanjore.5. Rajendra-I was the greatest ruler of this Kingdom.6. Last ruler of this dynasty was Rajendra-III.7. The arrangement of local self government is regarded as the basic features of the administration of Cholas.fter the death of Mahavira.

Sultanate Period (1206- 1526 A.D)

1. Mohammad Bin Qasim invaded India in 712 A.D and conquered Sindh, it was the first Muslim invasion.2. First Turk Invasion by Mahmud of Ghaznavi (998-1030 A.D), Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni led about 17 expeditions in India to enrich himself bt taking away the wealth from India. In 1025 A.D, he attacked and raided the most celebrated hindu temple of Somnath. The temple was destroyed in 1026 A.D.3. Second Turk invasion- Mohammad Ghoris invasion (1175- 1206 A.D), Mohammad Ghori invaded India and laid the foundation of the Muslims dominion in India. He may be considered as the Founder of Muslim rule in India.

The Delhi Sultanate-: 1206 A.D- 1526 A.D

Mohammad Ghoris consequent became the nucleus of a new political entity in India- The Delhi Sultanate.

The period is divided into 5 distinct periods:-a. The Slave dynasty- 1206-90 A.Db. The Khilji dynasty- 1290-1320 A.Dc. The Tughlaq dynasty- 1320- 1414 A.Dd. The Sayyid dynasty- 1414-51 A.De. The Lodhi dynasty- 1451-1526 A.D

The Slave dynasty:- 1206-90 A.D

1. Qutubuddin Aibak, A Turkish slave by origin, he was purchased by Mohammad Ghori, later made him Governor. After his death, Aibak became the Master of the Hindustan and founded the Slave dynasty in 1206 A.D2. For his generosity, he was given the title of Lakh Bakhsh.3. He constructed two mosque Quwat-ul-islam at Delhi and Adhai din ka jhopra at Ajmer. He also began the construction of Qutub Minar in the honour of the famous Sufi saint Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki.4. He died in 1210 while playing Chaugan.5. Shamsuddin Illtutmish (1211-36 A.D), he was a slave of the Qutubuddin Aibak and occupied the throne of Delhi in 1211 A.D.6. He was very capable ruler and is regarded as the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate.7. He made the Delhi capital in place of Lahore.8. He saved the Delhi from the wrath of the Chengiz Khan, the Mongol leader.9. He introduced the silver coin (Tanka) and the copper coin (Jital).10. He introduced the Iqta system.11. He setup the Chalisa system.12. He completed the construction of the Qutub Minar which was started by the Aibak.13. He died in 1236 A.D, After the Illtutmish, Ranakuddin his son was crowned by her mother. He was deposed by Razia, daughter of Illtutmish.14. She was the first lady and Lady Muslim ruler in India.15. She married Altunia, the governor of the Bhatinda, In 1240 A.D Razia became the victim of the conspiracy and she was assassinated near kaithal (Haryana).16. After the death of the Razia many ruler came but they did not made their domination like Bahram Shah, Masud Shah, and Nasiruddin Mohammad.17. Nasiruddin Mohammad was the son of the Illtutmish and was known as the Darvesi King as he was very pious and noble. He died in 1266 A.D.18. Ghiyasuddin Balban (1266-87 A.D) He broke the power of the Chalisa and restored the prestige of the crown.19. To keep himself well informed, he appointed spies.20. He established the Military department Diwan-i-arz21. He took up the title of Zil-i-llahi (Shadow of the god)22. He introduced the Sijda (Prostration before the monarch) and Paibos (Kissing the feet of the monarch).23. Balban died while fighting the Mongolians in 1285 A.D.24. Kaiqubad (1287-90 A.D), grandson of the Balban, last ruler of the Slave dynasty.

The Khilji dynasty:- 1290 A.D-1320 A.D

1. Jalauddin Khilji founded the Khilji dynasty2. Alauddin Khilji, the nephew and the son-in-law of the Jalaluddin Khilji killed him and succeeded the throne in 1296 A.D.3. He was the first Turkish Sultan of the Delhi who separated the religion from politics. He proclaimed Kingship knows no kinship.4. He was very great ruler of the Khilji dynasty, he annexed Gujarat (1298), Ranthambore (1301), Mewar (1303) and Malwa (1305).5. In Deccan, Alaudin army led by Malik Kafur defeated the Ram Chandra (Yadav ruler of Devgiri), Pratap Rudradeva (Kaktiya Ruler of the Warangal) etc.6. He introduced the system of the Dagh (The branding of the horse) and Chehra (Descriptive role of the Soldiers).7. He constructed the Alai Darwaza the entrance gate of the Qutub Minar.8. He was the great patron of the art and learning. Amir Khusrau, the port-musician was his favourite court poet.9. In 1316 A.D after the death of the Alauddin, Malik Kafur seized the throne.10. Khusrau Khan was the last ruler of the Khilji dynasty.

The Tughlaq dynasty:- 1320- 1414 A.D

1. Khusrau Khan, the last ruler of the Khilji dynasty was killed by Ghazi Malik.2. Ghazi Malik ascended the throne assuming the title of the Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.3. He died in accident his son Jauna (Ulugh Khan) succeeded him under the title of the Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.4. He transferred his capital from Delhi to Devgiri in 1327 A.D named Devgiri as Daultabad.5. He died in Thatta while campaigning in Sindh against Taghi, aTurkish Slave.6. After the death of the Muhammad Tughlaq, Firoz Shah Tughlaq ascended the throne.7. During the time of the Firoz Shah. Jizya became the separate tax.8. He refused to exempt the Brahamanas from payment of Jizya.9. He introduced the new taxation system according to the Quran, Four kind of the taxes, Kharaj was the land tax 1/10th of the produce of the land, Zakat, 2% tax on property, Jizya was leived on the Non-muslims and Khams was 1/5th of the booty captured during the war.10. Department of the Diwan-i-khairat was setup to make for marriage of the poor girls.11. He died in 1388 A.D.12. Timurs Invasion in 1398-99 A.D Timur a Turk invaded India in 1398 A.D during the reign of the Muhammad Shah Tughlaq, last ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty.

The Sayyid dynasty- 1414- 1450 A.D1. Khizr Khan Timurs nominee captured Delhi and proclaimed himself the new Sultan.2. Mubarak Shah succeeded Khizr Khan.3. Muhammah Shah Succeeded the Mubarak Shah, and Alam Shah was the last sayyid king.

The Lodhi dynasty- 1451-1526 A.D

1. Bahlol Lodhi was of the Afghan Sardar. He founded the Lodhi dynasty.2. Sikandar Lodhi was the son of the of the Bahlol Lodhi who conquered Bihar and Western Bengal.3. He shifted his capital from Delhi to Agra, a city founded by him.4. Ibrahim Lodhi was the last king of the Lodhi dynasty, He was defeated by Babur in 1st battle of the Panipat. Babur established the Mughal Empire.

Mughal Empire:- (1526-40 & 1555- 1857 A.D)

Babur:- 1526-30 A.D

1. The foundation of the Mughal rule in India was laid by Babur in 1526.2. Muhammad Babur was the first of the great Mughal emperors of India.3. He was the descendant of Timur from the side of the Father and Chengiz Khan from the side of the Mother.4. Babur defeated the Ibrahim Lodhi in the first battle of Panipat in 1526 A.D.5. In 1527 he defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar at Khanwa, in 1528, he defeated Medini Rai of Chanderi at Chanderi and in 1529, he defeated Muhammad Lodhi, uncle of Ibrahim Lodhi at Ghagra.6. He made Agra his capital.7. In 1530 A.D, he died at Agra. His tomb is at Tomb.8. He adopted Tughluma and flanking party system and first to use Gun Powder and artillery in India.9. He wrote his autobiography Tuzuk-i-baburi in Tuzki, Tuzuk-i-baburi was translated in Persian named Baburnama by Abdur Rahim Khanekhana and in English by Madam Bebridge.

Humanyun :- 1530-1540 & 1555-56 A.D

1. He was the eldest son of the Babur and ascended the throne in 1530.2. He was defeated by Sher Shah Suri and driven out of Hindustan.3. He fought two battles against Sher Shah, at Chausa in1539 and at Kannauj/ Bilgram in 1540 and was completely defeated by him.4. He escaped to Iran where he passed 12 years of his life in exile.5. After Sher Shah death, Humanyun again invaded India in 1555 and defeated his brother. And again became the ruler of Hindustan.6. He died while climbing down the stairs of his library in 1556 and was buried in Delhi.7. His sister Gulbadan Begum wrote his Biography Humanyunama.8. He built Din Panah at Delhi as his second capital.

Akbar:- 1556-1605 A.D

1. Akbar the eldest son of Humanyun ascended the throne under the title of Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar Badshah Ghazi at young age of 14 and his tutor Bairam Khan appointes as his regent.2. He was the greatest of the Mughal emperors.3. His empire extended from Afghanistan to Bengal and from Kashmir to Godavari.4. He had to fight Hemu in second battle of Panipat in to become king of Delhi and Agra.5. Akbar ended the regency of Bairam Khan in 1560 and at age of 18 assumed the reigns of the kingdom.6. The battle of Haldighati in 1576 was fought between Rana Pratap of Mewar and Mughal army led by Man Singh of Amer.7. Akbar proclaimed a new religion Din-i-llahi in 1581 A.D.8. Birbal was the only Hindu who followed this new religion.9. Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Lahore Fort, Allahabad fort and Humanyuns tomb at Delhi.10. He befriended Rajputs and married the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber.11. Nav Ratnas of Akbar Birbal, Abul Fazal, Faizi, Tadarmal (Finance Minister), Bhagwan Das, Man Singh, Tansen, Abdur Rahim Khanekhana, and Mulla do Pyaja.12. Tulsi Das also lived during the Akbars Period.13. Akbar buried at Sikandrabad near Agra.14. Akbar considered as the Real founder of the mughal empire.15. Birbal was killed in battle with Yusufzai tribe in 1586.16. Abul Fazal was murdered by Bir Singh Bundela in 1601.17. Akbar gave Persian as official language.

Jahangir:- 1605-27 A.D

1. Salim, the son of the Akbar became the king after the death of the Akbar. He issued 12 ordinances.2. He married Nur Jahan.3. He was generous, good hearted and had a passion for justice, he is known for his strict administration of justice. He established Zanjir-i-Adal (Chain of Justice) at Agra fort for the seekers of Royal justice.4. Jahangir issued coins jointly in Nurjahans named and his own.5. Jahangir also married Jodhabai of Marwar.6. Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roe came to India during his period to established business in India.7. He wrote his Memoirs Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri in Persian.8. He was buried in Lahore.9. His Son Khusrau who received patronage of 5th Sikh Guru Arjun Dev revolted against Jahangir in 1605. Later Arjun Dev was sentenced to death for his blessing to the rebel prince on 1606.

Shahjahan:- 1628-58 A.D

1. Shah Jahan ascended the throne in 1628 after his fathers death.2. In 1631-32 , He defeated the Portuguese.3. He built the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz (original name- Azumand Bano) in 1653.4. He built Taj Mahal in Agra, Red Fort, Jama Masjid in Delhi.5. He was taken prisoners by his own son Aurangazeb during his last Days.6. He was buried at Taj Agra.

Aurangazeb:- 1658- 1707 A.D

1. He governed India for 48 years.2. He was an outstanding Military ruler.3. Aurangzeb captured the 9th Guru of Teg Bahadur in 1675.4. He the Mughal consequest reached a climax during Aurangazebs reign as Bijapur and Golconda were annexed in 1686 and 1687 respectively.5. Aurangazeb died in 1707 A.D. He was buried at Khulabed (Daulatabad).6. He was called Zinda Pir, the livig saint.7. Jaziya was re-introduced.8. Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last ruler of the Mughal dynasty.

Important Dates in Indian History

1. 2300 B.C- 1750 B.C- Indus Valley Civilisation.2. 563 B.C- Birth of the Gautama Buddha.3. 483 B.C- Death of the Buddha.4. 540 B.C- Birth of the Mahavir.5. 486 B.C- Death of the Mahavir.6. 326 B.C- Invasion of the Alaxender The Great.7. 305 B.C- Defeat of Selecus at the hand of the Chandragupta Maurya.8. 261 B.C- Kalinga war.9. 58 B.C- Beginning of the Vikram era.10. 78 A.D- Beginning of the Saka era.11. 319-320 A.D- Commencement of the Gupta era.12. 712 A.D- First invasion in Sindh by Arabs (Mohammad-bin-Qasim).13. 1025 A.D- Destruction of Somnath Temple by Mahmud Ghazni.14. 1191 A.D- First battle of Tarain.15. 1192 A.D- Second battle of Tarain.16. 1327 A.D- Transfer of capital from Delhi to Devgiri (Daulatabad) in Deaccan by the Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.17. 1398 A.D- Timurs invasion of India.18. 1526 A.D- First battle of Panipat, Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi, and laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire.19. 1498 A.D- Vasco da Gama came to India.20. 1527 A.D- Battle of Khanwa- Babur defeated Rana Sanga.21. 1539 A.D- Sher Shah defeated Humanyun in the battle of Chausa.22. 1556 A.D- Second battle of the Panipat, (Bairam Khan defeated Hemu).23. 1576 A.D- Battle of Haldighati, Akbar defeated Rana Sanga.24. 1600 A.D- English East India Co. established.25. 1739 A.D- Nadir Shah invades India.26. 1757 A.D- Battle of Palssey 27. 1761 A.D- Third Battle of Panipat.28. 1764 A.D- Battle of Buxar.29. 1793 A.D- Permanent settlement of Bengal.30. 1829 A.D- Prohibition of practice of Sati.31. 1853 A.D- First railway line opened between Bombay and Thane and a Telegraph line in a Kolkata.32. 1905 A.D- Partition of the Bengal by the Lord Curzon.33. 1911 A.D- Delhi becomes the capital of India.34. 1920 A.D- Khilafat movement launched.35. 1930 A.D- Civil disobedience movement, Dandi march.36. 1931 A.D- Gandhi-Irwin Pact.37. 1935 A.D- Government of India act.38. 1848 A.D- Doctrine of Lapse

Important Foreign Travellers:-

1. Megasthenese an ambassador of selecus nikator who visited the court of the Chandragupta Maurya. He wrote an interesting book Indica in which he gave a vivid account of Chandragupta Mauryas reign.2. Fa-hien came to India during the reign of the Chandragupta-II Vikramaditya. He was the first Chinese pilgrim to visit India.3. Hiuen-Tsang visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana.4. Al-beruni came to India with Mahmud of Ghazni, He travelled whole of India and wrote a book Tahqiq-i-hind the book dealt with social, religious, and political conditions in India.5. Marco Polo a Venetian traveller, he visited South India in 1294 A.D.6. Ibn Batuta, A Morrish treveller he visited India during the reign of the Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq. His book Rehla throws a light on the reign of the Mohammad Tughlaq.7. Nicolo Conti, A Venetian visited during the reign of the Deva Raya-I.8. Abdur Razzaq was a Persian traveller who came to India and stayed at the court of the Zemorin at Calicut. He given a vivid account of the Vijayanagar Empire.9. William Hawkins was an English Ambassador of the British king James-I to the court of Jahangir.10. Sir Thomas Roe also sent by James-I in court of the Jahangir.

Important Battles:-

1. Battle of Hyadaspes fought between Alaxender and Porus in 326 B.C, in which Alaxender defeated the Porus.2. Kalinga war fought between Ashoka and the King of the Kalinga in 261 B.C3. First battle of the Tarain, Prithviraj chauhan defeated the Mohammad Ghori in 1191 A.D and in 1192A.D in second he defeated Prithviraj Chauhan and laid the foundation of Muslim rule in India.4. First Battle of Panipat in 1526 A.D , Babur defeated the Ibrahim Lodhi.5. Battle of Khanwa fought between Rana Sanga and Babur in 1527 A.D, Babur defeated Rana Sanga.6. Battle of Chausa in 1539 A.D Sher Shah defeated the Humanyun.7. Second battle of Panipat in 1556 A.D, Akbar with the help of the Bairam Khan defeated Hemu.8. Battle of Talikot in 1565 A.D fought between Muslims and Ramaraja of Vijayanagar.9. Battle of Haldighati in 1576 A.D Fought between Akbar and Rana Pratap, Akbar defeated Rana Pratap.10. Battle of Plassey in 1757 A.D English Force under Robert Clive defeated the Sirajuddaula.11. Third Battle of the Panipat on 1761 A.D, Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas.12. Battle of Buxar in 1764 A.D, Joint force of the Muslims defeated by English force.

Multiple choice Questions on Indian History- I

1. Name the first person who use the term Indus civilization.?(a) John Marshall(b) James Hicki(c) Daya Ram Sahni(d) Mackay.Ans. A2. Which one of the following is the largest Indian site of Indus civilization.?(a) Mohenjodaro(b) Dholavira(c) Kalibangan(d) LothalAns. B3. Who introduced the permanent settlement in Bengal.?(a) Lord Dalhousie(b) William Bentick(c) Lord Curzon(d) Lord CornwallisAns. D4. Who was the first Indian to be selected to the British parliament.?(a) Dadabhai Naoroji(b) G.K Gokhale(c) Bipin Chandra Pal(d) Lala lajpat RaiAns. A5. The first telegraph line between Kolkata and Agra was opened in.?(a) 1852(b) 1854(c) 1876(d) 1988Ans. B6. Which British Governor General introduced Postage Stamp in India.?(a) Lord Auckland(b) Lord Canning(c) Lord Dalhousie(d) Lord William BentickAns. C7. Agra city was founded by.?(a) Bahlol Lodi(b) Firoz Tughlaq(c) Shikandar Lodi(d) Khizr Khan.Ans. C8. Poona pact was signed between .?(a) Gandhi ji and Lord Irwin(b) Gandhi ji and B.R. Ambedkar(c) Gandhi ji and Jinnah (d) Gandhi ji and S.C BoseAns. B9. The Ghadar Movement was founded by.?(a) Ajit Sngh(b) Lala Hansraj(c) Lala Hardhayal(d) M. Gandhi jiAns. C10. Who is recognized as the Father of Geometry.?(a) Pythagoras(b) Euclid(c) Johan Kepler(d) Rene DescartesAns. B11. The Doctrine of three jewels- Right belief, Right conduct, and Right Knowledge is.?(a) Buddhism(b) Christianity(c) Jainism(d) NoneAns. C12. Who among the following drafted the resolution of fundamental rights for the Karachi Session of Congress in 1931.?(a) Dr. B.R Ambedkar(b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad(c) Sardar Patel(d) J.L NehruAns. C13. Who was the Francisco De Almeida.?(a) French Viceroy in India(b) Dutch Viceroy in India(c) Portuguese Viceroy in India(d) English Viceroy in IndiaAns. C14. The first muslim king to conquer Deccan was.?(a) Moh.bin Tughlaq(b) Akbar(c) Ala-ud-din- Khilji(d) BalbanAns. C15. Who was the first Sultan of Delhi to introduce the practice of Sijda.?(a) Balban(b) Firoz Tughlaq(c) Mohammad Tughlaq(d) Ala-ud-din KhiljiAns. A16. Non-cooperation movement was called off by Gandhi ji because of.?(a) Chauri-chaura incident(b) Government accepted the demands of Indian leaders(c) Repressive measures adopted by the Government (d) NoneAns. A17. Alai Darwaza is a Gateway to.?(a) Khana mosque(b) Siri(c) Qutub Minar(d) Agra Taj MahalAns. C18. Who was the Founder of Chola Dynasty.?(a) Vijayalaya(b) Rajendra-I(c) Dantidurg(d) BalbanAns. A19. The Battle of Haldi Ghati was fought between whom.?(a) Akbar and Aurangzeb (1757)(b) Akbar and Rana Pratap (1576)(c) Akbar and Raja of Mewar (1576)(d) Akbar and Tipu Sultan ( 1566)Ans. B20. Who said My ultimate aim to wipe every tear from every eye.?(a) Gandhi ji(b) Jawaharlal Nehru(c) Dayanand Saraswati(d) VivakanandAns. B21. Who was the first Viceroy of India.?(a) Lord Clive(b) Lord Dalhousie(c) Lord Canning(d) Lord HastingsAns. C22. Chandra Gupta Maurya spents his last days at.?(a) Shravana Belgola(b) Nalanda(c) Ujjain(d) PatnaAns. A23. Charak was the court physician of.?(a) Ashoka(b) Kanishka(c) Chandragupta(d) SamudraguptaAns. B24. Changiz Khan, who invaded India in 13th century belonged to.?(a) Arab(b) China(c) Mongol(d) TibetAns. C25. The Zabti system was conceived by.?(a) Akbar(b) Sher Shah(c) Sikandar Lodi(d) Moh. TughlagAns. A

26. Who wrote the biography of Harshvardhana in the 7th century A.D.?(a) Banabhatta(b) Bilhana(c) Kalhana(d) SandhyakaraAns. A27. Neta ji subhas Chandra bose organized Indian National Army at.?(a) Singapore(b) Rangoon(c) Hongkong(d) DubaiAns. A28. Mahatma Gandhi was first referred to as the Father of Nation by.?(a) Sardar Patel(b) C. Rajagopalchari(c) J.L Nehru(d) Subhas Chandra BoseAns. D29. Jallainwala Massacre occurred on.?(a) 14th August 1920(b) 13th April 1919(c) 30th January 1918(d) 15 August 1930.Ans. B30. Who among the following took away to Persia the peacock throne of Shahjahan in the half of 18th century.?(a) Ahmed Shah Abdali(b) Nadir Shah(c) Chin Qilich Khan(d) Mir Mannu Abdalis GovernorAns. B31. Who among the following was incharge of land revenue system during the reign of akbar.?(a) Abul Fazal(b) Birbal(c) TodarMal(d) Man singhAns. C32. Jainism spread in India during the reign of.?(a) Chandragupta Maurya(b) Chandragupta Vikramaditya(c) Harshvardhana(d) SamudraguptaAns. A33. Who among the following introduced local self-government in india.?(a) Lord Canning(b) Lord Rippon(c) Raja Rammohan roy(d) Lord MountbattenAns. B34. In the third battle of Panipat, the Marathas was defeated by.?(a) Rajputs(b) Afghans(c) Mughals(d) SikhsAns. B35. Who among the following was the last Mughal emperor to sit on the peacock throne.?(a) Muhammad Shah(b) Alamgir-II(c) Shah Alam (d) Bahadur Shah-IIAns. A36. Who, among the following was the accredited Ambassador of the king of England , James-I to the Mughal Emperor Jahangirs court.?(a) Captain Hawkins(b) James Hicky(c) Sir Thomas Roe(d) NoneAns. C37. Who, amongst the following came to India with Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni.?(a) Alberuni(b) Ibn Batuta(c) Fahien(d) MasudiAns. A38. Who pioneered the movement leading to the Widow Remarriage act.?(a) Swami Vivekanand(b) Raja Rammohan Roy(c) Keshab Chandra Sen(d) Ishwar Chandra VidyasagarAns. B39. In 1025 A.D Mahmud of Ghazni destroyed the somnath temple,Temple has been reconstructed recently ,in which state of India is it located.?(a) Rajasthan(b) Gujarat(c) M.P(d) U.PAns. B40. The first to bring Islam into India were the.?(a) Turks(b) Arabs(c) Khaljis(d) Slave RulersAns. B41. Humayun nama was written during the reign of Emperor Akbar by.?(a) GulBadan Begum(b) Humayun(c) Abul Fazl(d) Abbas SarwaniAns. A42. Geet Govind was written by whom.?(a) Jaydev(b) Laxman Sen(c) Vishnugupta(d) VatsyayanaAns. A43. Gandhi Ji started Satyagraha in 1919 to protest against the.?(a) Salt Law(b) Rowlactt act(c) Act of 1909(d) Jallianwala BhagAns. B44. Gautama Buddha attained Nirvana at.?(a) BodhGaya(b) Sarnath(c) Kushinagar(d) LumbiniAns. A45. Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in London in.?(a) 1937(b) 1931(c) 1930(d) 1923Ans. B46. During the reign of which of the following rulers did Tulsidas , the Auther of Ramcharitamanas , flourish.?(a) Akber(b) Humayun(c) Shahjahan(d) Sher Shah SuriAns. A47. Din-i-llahi was the name of a.?(a) Mosque(b) Religion(c) Cottage(d) SaintAns. B48. Who among the following Chinese Pilgrims visited India during the reign of Chandragupta Vikranmaditya.?(a) Chang-Kien(b) Fa-hien(c) Hiuen-Tsang(d) Wang huAns. B49. The title of Viceroy was added to the office of the Governor General of India for the first time in.?(a) 1848 A.D(b) 1856 A.D(c) 1858 A.D(d) 1862 A.DAns. C50. The title Vikrmaditya was assumed by.?(a) Harsha (b) Chandra Gupta-II(c) Kanishka(d) SamudraGuptaAns. B

Multiple choice Questions on Indian History:-

1. The Indus Valley Civilization was famous for(a) Well-planned cities(b) Efficient civil organization(c) Development of Art and Architecture(d) All of these2. The Red Fort of Delhi was built by(a) Akbar(b) Shahjehan(c) Jahangir(d) Sher Shah3. The Sarvodaya Movement was started by(a) Mahatma Gandhi(b) Jayprakash Narayan(c) Vinoba Bhave(d) Datta Dharmodhikari4. The term socialist was added in the Preamble by the...amendment(a) 40th(b) 42nd (c) 44th(d) 49th5. When did Vasco-da-Gama come to India(a) 1492(b) 1498(c) 1398(d) 15426. When was Burma separated from India(a) 1947(b) 1942 (c) 1937(c) 19327. Where did Rigvedic Aryans live in India?(a) Northern India(b) All over India(c) Eastern part of India(d) Sapta Sindhu area8. Which of the following was the most significant feature of the Indus Valley Civilization?(a) Economic System(b) Religious life(c) Town Planning(d) Social life9. Which was the first National News Agency of India?(a) The Indian Review(b) The Free Press of India(c) The Associated Press of India(d) None of the above10. Who amongst the following is regarded as the historical founder of Jainism?(a) Mahavira(b) Sisunaga(c) Rishabha(d) Gautama11. Who is the founder of Mahabalipuram?(a) Rajaraja Chola(b) Mahendra Varman (c) Narsimha Varman(d) Narsimha Chola12. Who is the founder of the Capital city of Agra?(a) Akbar(b) Babar (c) Sikinder Lodi (d) Mubarak Shah Sayyad13. Who was the first Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Calcutta?(a) Hyde(b) Elijah Impey(c) Lemaistre(d) Monson14. Who was Francisco De Almeida?(a) Dutch Viceroy in India(b) Portuguese Viceroy in India(c) French Viceroy in India(d) English Viceroy in India15. During the Mughal period, which one of the following trades were the first to come to India?(a) Portuguese (b) Dutch (c) Danish (d) English 16. Malik Kafur was whose General? (a) Balban(b) Ala-ud-din khilji(c) Muhammad bin Tughluq(d) Firoz Shah Tughluq17. The Chinese pilgrim Fa Hien visited India during the reign of(a) Kanishka(b) Chandragupta I(c) Chandragupta II(d) Harshavardhana18. Where did Buddha die?(a) Lumbini(b) Kusinagara(c) Pavapuri(d) Magadha19. Which of the following is associated with Lord Wellesley, the Governor General of India from 1798 to 1805?(a) Doctrine of Lapse(b) Subsidiary Alliance(c) First Mysore War(d) Conquest of Rajputana20. Which of the following was the court language during the reign of Akbar?(a) Hindi(b) Urdu(c) Persian(d) Arabic21. Who compared the Dandi March to Napoleon's March to Paris on his return from Elba?(a) Dadabhai Naoroji(b) Lala Lajpat Rai(c) Subhash Chandra Bose(d) B.G. Tilak22. Who had demarcated the border-line between India and Pakistan?(a) McMohan(b) Lord Durand(c) Redcliffe(d) None of these23. Who propounded the Saptanga Theory?(a) Manu(b) Charaka(c) Kautilya(d) Tulsidas24. Who put an end to the system of Dual Government in Bengal?(a) Warren Hastings(b) Clive(c) Regulating Act(d) British Parliament25. Who was the prime minister of the court of Chandraguta Maurya.?(a). Chanakya(b). Shanku(c) Kalidasa(d) HarisenaAnswers:-1. D2. B3. C4. B5. B6. C7. D8. C9. C10. A11. C12. C13. B14. B15. A16. B17. C18. B19. B20. C21. C22. C23. C24. A25. A