India, a mystical land, with rich historical background, with varied cultural and traditional practices, comprising of umpteen variations in geography and weather conditions, is one place for all.
The subcontinent of India is a land that is unique in itself. A paradise for travellers, the country offers wide range of holidaying options to each and everyone.
From majestic mountains to vast oceans to refreshing waterfalls to gigantic rivers to unique rock formations to incomparable architectural buildings to dense forests to exotic flora and fauna to mouth-watering and varied cuisines to captivating religious places, the country has almost everything to attract you.
Here is a brief glance into the history of this majestic country..
The history of India can be broadly divided into four periods. These are Pre-history, Ancient History, Medieval History, Modern History and Indian history. If look back into history the political map of ancient India is comprised of varied small and big kingdoms with fluctuating boundaries.
The country has been ruled by various dynasties, various rules which has resulted in the mixed cultures and traditions of the country as well as carried religions flourishing here.
Persians, Greeks, Chinese nomads, Arabs, Portuguese, Britishers and many others have invaded the country from time to time. It rich flora and fauna as well as favorable location and climatic conditions attracted everyone from around the world.
From great civilizations starting here to umpteen numbers of invasions to the birth of religious catalysts to social reformist, the history of India has everything in it. India’s history is like a constantly progressing work with each day contributing an important chapter in it.
The history of India can be traced back to Indus Valley civilization. The civilization of the country can be traced back to 2500 B.C. Sites like Mohenjo-Daro Harappa (in present-day Pakistan) and Lothal (near Ahmedabad) clearly showcase how the civilization flourished and was in its prime much before most of the world.
This part of Indian history can further divided into Pre-Vedic and Vedic periods. It is the vedic period when the religion Hinduism is said to have been evolved. There are traces for the same.
The period from 4th to 5th century A.D when the Northern India was unified and under the control of Gupta Dynasty is called as the India’s Golden Age. This was time when literature, religion and political administration reached new heights.
In the 5th century, under the rule of King Asoka, major parts of the country were united. Under his rule, the religion of Buddhism was born and spread across various parts of India as well as of Asia.
Chandragupta Maurya founded. Under the Mauryan rule, which was the first imperial dynasty of India, the religion of Hinduism also flourished and reached great heights.
Around 260 BC under the Emperor Ashoka, the empire flourished like never before. From 320 AD to 480 AD was the period of Guptas. In 455 AD India was invaded by the Huns which destroyed the Guptan Empire. This further fragmented the country. However, later around 1000 Ad under the rules of Islamic rules, the country was united again.
In India the spread of Islam took over a period of 500 years. Many invasions resulted in the same. For instance, in 10th and 11th centuries, Turks and Afghans came to India.
However, Southern India was predominantly under the Hindu Chola and Vijayanagar Dynasties from the 11th to the 15th centuries. In 16th century descendants of Genghis Khan invaded the subcontinent. This resulted in the establishment of Mughal Dynasty which ruled the country for almost 200 years.
Mughals greatly influenced the cultural and traditional living of the inhabitants of the country which can still be seen. In the southern part of India, many great empires came up which were independent of Northern part such Kalachuris, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadhavas, Hoysalas, Pallavas, Pandyas and the Cheras kingdom.
Later British came along with other rulers like Persians, Greeks, Chinese nomads, Arabs, Portuguese and many others. It was in 1800s when the Britishers started exercising their control over the local inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent.
By 1850s, most of India’s parts were under the control of British Empire. However, in 1857, a rebellion against the East India Company which was led by mutinous Indian soldiers triggered the freedom struggle by the Indians which lasted for almost one decade.
Transformation of the political party- Indian National Congress into a mass campaign against the British Empire by the much revered father of the nation, Mohandas K. Gandhi eventually led to the freedom of the country. Along with him, there are many leaders whose excellent leadership and planning contributed in the freedom struggle.
The year of 1947 is the most crucial period in Indian history. On August 15, 1947, India became an independent country with Jawaharlal Nehru as its first Prime Minister. For almost two decades the country was under the rule of Congress Party which apart from brief periods in the 1970s and 1980s won continuously won elections.
After that the country has seen many rules, many parties. The nation of India is constantly developing in all the fields, be it economic growth or political maturity or international relations or scientific developments to any other.
A country with a history that is almost 500 years old, India makes for an interesting place not just to study but to travel well. Travelling to the country provides you with opportunity to experience its rich history in best way possible.