India

India History

The culture and history of India is considered to be dynamic, unique and intriguing, shrouded in mysticism and romanticism. According to historians, it dates back to the commencement of human existence. Thus, it is amongst the first civilizations to have come into existence.

the recorded beginnings of this great nations traces the existence of the Indus Valley Civilization – Harappa and Mohenjo Daro. It is one of the oldest known civilizations in the world, and one of marvel; as it was a planned town, with so much of modern day amenities, minus the tele-communication systems, information technology and electricity.

One of the most unique aspects of India history is that it is dotted with constant integrating of new cultures. In fact, it is regarded as one of the most invaded and plundered nations. And in spite of this, the people always welcomed new cultures, making it the most diverse nation.

Historians have been able to trace back the history of this nation to 3000 BC (Indus Valley Civilization). It is said that the history of India commences with the Indus Valley civilization (Mohenjo Daro, Harappa, Lothal). This was followed by the Aryan invasions. These two major events define the India’s history into the pre-Vedic era and the Vedic period, respectively. It was the Vedic period that gave birth to Hinduism.

Later in the fifth century, emperor Ashoka united large parts of India. He also brought Buddhism to India, having spread it widely during his reign. Islam entered India in the eighth century and by the eleventh century it became a part of the Indian cultural heritage.

Then came the European invasions that brought their cultures to be integrated into the Indian civilization. Thus, Christianity became a part of Indian society.

Through the ages India and her natives have witnessed and suffered at the hands of invaders and plunderers. The nation has been looted. But, still it never lost the very essence of their existence, which is being hospitable to their guests. While armies fought the enemies, the nation continued to intertwine the threads of a new culture into their existing quilt of diversity.

India - Ancient India

The Indus Valley Civilization existed in between 3000-1500 BC while the earlier Kot Diji cultures, of the pre-Indus period, existed in the period of approximately 3300-2800 BC. Harappa and the city of Mohenjo-Daro were the greatest achievements of the Indus valley civilization. These cities are well known for their impressive, organized and regular layout.

Then came Aryans who composed these evocative hymns to nature and celebrated life exuberantly referred to themselves as Aryas usually anglicised as Aryan meaning 'noble'. The 6th Century B.C. was the period of Magadh Kingdom. Chandragupta Maurya ousted the oppressive ruler of Magadh to find his own dynasty that existed from 322 - 298 B.C.

The most famous Maurya King Ashoka the Great ruled from 273 - 232 B.C over a large kingdom stretching from Kashmir and Peshawar in the North and Northwest to Mysore in the South and Orissa in the East. He after witnessing the carnage at the battle field of Kalinga (269 B.C.) in Orissa, dedicated himself to Dharmma ( righteousness ).

In the subsequent centuries, after the Ashoka empire disintegrated, India suffered a series of invasions, and often fell under the spell of foreign rulers - Indo Bactrians, the Sakas and others. After the next 400 years of instability the Guptas established their kingdom.

Kalidas, the famous Sanskrit poet and dramatist, author of Abhijnana Shankuntalam, Kumarsambhavam and Meghadutam is believed to have adorned the Gupta court. Also the great mathematicians like Aryabhatta and astronomers like Varahmihir lived during this period. The dazzling wall paintings of the Ajanta caves too are traced back to this era.

Cholas, Pandayas and Pallavas ruled over the southern part of India during the medieval period of India's history. Cholas ruled the territory of Deccan (today the districts of Thanjavur and Tiruchirapally) while the Pandyas reined around present day Tirunelvelli and Madurai.

Pallavas of Kanchi rose to prominence in the 4th Century A.D. and ruled unchallenged for about four hundred years. The Nayanar and Alvar saint poets belong to this period. The gemlike shore temples at Mahabalipuram date to this period. The Cholas overthrew the Pallavas were in the 9th Century and regained political primacy in south India. The 15th Century saw the decline of the Pandyas.