India

Satavahana Kingdom

300

The Satavahanas (c. 0-300 A.D.) were one of the first Buddhist kingdoms in India. They were known for their beautiful religious sculptures such as the one to the left (of Buddha). The Satavahana's were the first people to settle the Daksinaputha (southern India). Their economy flourished with Indo-Roman trade. Their eventual decline was due to a number of factors including military defeats to the Ksatrapa Empire, emergence of the Vakatakas, and distribution problems.

Gupta Empire

320

The Gupta Empire (320-540 AD) marked the golden/ classical age of India as well as the rebirth of Hindu culture. Many new Hindu temples were built such as the one shown above. The age was also known for its advances in philosophy, metal working, architecture, astronomy, and mathematics. The Gupta age came to a close when their territory was invaded by a southern group of Huns.

Comming of Islam

Jan 1, 711

In 711 AD Arab forces conquered Sindh in modern day Pakistan, thereby creating the first Islamic state in South Asia. Though Islamic teachers or Sufis later came to Sindh, their presence was hardly felt in India. Between 997 and1027 AD Mahmud of Gazni (depicted in the picture to the left), an Asian-Turkic leader, raided the North of India plundering and converting as he went. He eventually captured and settled the province of Punjab, establishing the first long-term Muslim province in India.

The Delhi Sultanate

Jan 1, 1220

The Delhi Sultanate was the first major and influential Islamic kingdom in India. I was started in the early 13th century when Shams-ud-Din Iletmish or Iletmish captured Delphi and created the first Islamic kingdom of Delhi also known as the Delhi Sultanate. The sultanate eventually controlled all of southern India, making it the first kingdom to bring Islam there. Over time sultanate broke up due to an instable government and the loss of many of its provinces.

The Europeans

Jan 1, 1498

India was "Discovered" and "Claimed" in 1498 by a Portuguese explorer named Vasco de Gama resulting in a Portuguese era until 1612. In 1600 the British East-India company began to get involved in the Indian spice trade. After several clashes between the British East-India Company and the Portuguese, the Portuguese lost control of India to the British East-India Company in 1612. The East-India company eventually lost control of India to the British Government after the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857.

Sepoy Rebellion

May 10, 1857

On May 10 1857 Indian soldiers in the British Indian army also known as Sepoys marched to Delhi and declared their allegiance to the Mughal (last non-British empire to rule in India before Indian Independence) Emperor. After many clashes between the Company%u2019s troops and the Mughal and revolutionary troops the Company emerged victorious. The Sepoy Rebellion led to the elimination of the Mughal Empire and the British Government taking control of India.

Independence

Aug 15, 1947

The Indian National congress, who helped decide on a non-violent path to independence, was created around 1900. In 1920 the congress made a new Indian constitution directed at independence. In 1927 a small victory came in the shape of a British committee whose job it was to give more power to local governments. In 1946 many riots for independence broke out. Finally on Aug. 15, 1947 the British Government opted for a non-violent end to the independence issue and gave India their freedom.

Mahatma Gandhi

Jan 30, 1948

Gandhi was born in India on Oct. 2 1869. At the age of 19 he went to study at the University College of London. He returned to India in 1891 but was unsuccessful so he went to South Africa in 1893 where he fought for Indian civil rights. Gandhi returned to India in 1914 and in 1919 became leader of the Indian National Congress where he led non-violent campaigns against British rule and boycotts against British goods. He was killed on Jan. 30 1948 only one year after Indian independence.