Chronological Timeline of Ancient Mesopotamia and India

By Sbona
  • Sumerians Develop Cuneiform
    3100 BCE

    Sumerians Develop Cuneiform

    The world's first known writing system created in Mesopotamia.
  • The First Cities Emerge in Mesopotamia
    2900 BCE

    The First Cities Emerge in Mesopotamia

    Cites like Uruk and Ur develop as centers of civilization.
  • Indus Valley Civilization Thrives
    2500 BCE

    Indus Valley Civilization Thrives

    Advanced cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa flourish with urban planning and trade.
  • Akkadian Empire Rises
    2334 BCE

    Akkadian Empire Rises

    Sargon of Akkad founds one of the world's first empires.
  • Epic of Gilgamesh
    2100 BCE

    Epic of Gilgamesh

    The oldest known work of literature written in Sumer.
  • Abraham's Journey
    2000 BCE

    Abraham's Journey

    Traditionally, Abraham leaves Ur and enters into a covenant with God, central to Judaism.
  • Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization
    1900 BCE

    Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization

    Possible Environmental changes or migrations lead to the civilization’s decline.
  • Hammurabi’s Code
    1792 BCE

    Hammurabi’s Code

    King Hammurabi of Babylon establishes one of the first written law codes.
  • Arrival of Indo-Aryans in India
    1500 BCE

    Arrival of Indo-Aryans in India

    Indo-Aryans migrate into the Indian subcontinent, introducing the Vedic culture.
  • Exodus from Egypt
    1250 BCE

    Exodus from Egypt

    Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt and receives the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai.
  • Rigveda Composed
    1200 BCE

    Rigveda Composed

    The earliest and most important Veda, foundational to Hinduism, is composed.
  • Iron Age Begins in Mesopotamia
    1200 BCE

    Iron Age Begins in Mesopotamia

    Advances in technology revolutionize tools and weapons.
  • Kingdom of Israel Established
    1000 BCE

    Kingdom of Israel Established

    King David unites the Israelites, with Jerusalem as the capital.
  • Solomon's Temple Built
    960 BCE

    Solomon's Temple Built

    The First Temple, central to Jewish worship, is constructed in Jerusalem.
  • Development of the Upanishads
    800 BCE

    Development of the Upanishads

    Philosophical texts explain concepts such as Brahman and Atman, Hinduism keeps developing further.
  • Birth of Buddhism
    600 BCE

    Birth of Buddhism

    Religious reform movements develop along with the evolving Hindu beliefs.
  • Babylonian Exile
    586 BCE

    Babylonian Exile

    The Babylonians destroy the First Temple and exile the Jewish elite to Babylon.
  • Fall of Babylon and Return from Exile
    539 BCE

    Fall of Babylon and Return from Exile

    Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, allows Jews to return to Jerusalem, and rebuild the temple
  • Persians End Mesopotamian Rule
    539 BCE

    Persians End Mesopotamian Rule

    The fall of Babylon marks the end of independent Mesopotamian rule.
  • Development of Zoroastrianism and Philosophical Systems
    500 BCE

    Development of Zoroastrianism and Philosophical Systems

    Zoroastrianism influences Mesopotamian and Jewish thought, while Vedic traditions in India continue to evolve.