India is a land of ancient civilization.
India's social, economic, and cultural configurations are the products of a long process of regional expansion.
Indian history begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization and the coming of the Aryans. These two phases are usually described as the pre-Vedic and Vedic age. Hinduism arose in the Vedic period.
The fifth century saw the unification of India under Ashoka (Emperor), who had converted to Buddhism, and it is in his reign that Buddhism spread in many parts of Asia.
In the eighth century Islam came to India for the first time and by the eleventh century had firmly established itself in India as a political force. It resulted into the formation of the Delhi Sultanate (dynasty), which was finally succeeded by the Mughal Empire, under which India once again achieved a large measure of political unity.
It was in the 17th century that the Europeans came to India. This coincided with the disintegration of the Mughal Empire, paving the way for regional states. In the contest for supremacy, the English emerged 'victors'.
The Rebellion of 1857-58, which sought to restore Indian supremacy, was crushed; and with the subsequent crowning of Victoria as Empress of India, the incorporation of India into the empire was complete.
It was followed by India's struggle for independence, which they got in the year 1947.
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru looks down on the crowd during India's Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, New Delhi, India, Aug. 15, 1947.
www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/July-August-08/On-this-Day--India-Gains-Independence-from-Britain.html
Indian timeline takes us on a journey of the history of the subcontinent. Right from the ancient India, which included Bangladesh and Pakistan, to the free and divided India, this time line covers each and every aspect related to the past as well as present of the country.
Economic History of India
Indus valley civilization, which flourished between 2800 BC and 1800 BC, had an advanced and flourishing economic system. The Indus valley people practiced agriculture, domesticated animals, made tools and weapons from copper, bronze and tin and even traded with some Middle East countries.
Image taken from: http://onsearchoflight.blogspot.in/2012/03/indus-civilization-mohenjo-daro-and.html
Agriculture was the main economic activity of the people in the Vedic age but with the second urbanization a number of urban centers grew in North India. This gave a major fillip to trade and commerce.
Most of the Indian population resided in villages and the economy of the villages was self-sustaining. Agriculture was the predominant occupation of the populace and satisfied a village's food necessities.
Besides farmers, other classes of people were barbers, carpenters, doctors, goldsmiths, weavers, etc.
The system of castes and sub-castes ensured division of labor and functioned much like guilds, providing training to apprentices.
The caste system restricted people from changing ones occupation and aspiring for an upper caste's lifestyle. Traditionally, there was joint family system and the members of a family pooled their resources to invest in business ventures
After the death of Harsha(Emperor) the Rajputs came into prominence on the political horizons of North India.
The Rajputs were known for their bravery and chivalry but family feuds and strong notions of personal pride often resulted into conflicts. The Rajputs weakened each other by constant wrangling.
The disunity among Rajputs allowed the foreigners (Turks) to enter India.
Image taken from: http://www.britannica.com/topic/Rajput
Akbar
Emperor Akbar, also known as Akbar the Great or Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, was the third emperor of the Mughal Empire, after Babur and Humayun. He was the son of Nasiruddin Humayun and succeeded him as the emperor in the year 1556, when he was only 13 years old.
One of the most successful emperors of the Mughal Empire, Akbar also made significant contribution in the field of art. Apart from commencing a large collection of literature, he also commissioned a number of splendid buildings during his reign.
Image taken from: http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/revolutions/the-major-cause-of-revolts-against-the-mughal-empire-during-17th-century/4048/
Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan, also known as Shahbuddin Mohammed Shah Jahan, was a Mughal Emperor who ruled in the Indian Subcontinent from 1628 to 1658.
Shah Jahan succeeded the throne after revolting against his father, Jahangir.
The period of Shah Jahan's rule in India is regarded as the golden age of Indian architecture. He is credited with constructing numerous beautiful monuments throughout the landscape of India. However, the most brilliant monument is the 'Taj Mahal' of Agra, ( one of the Seven Wonders of the World. ) which he built in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Other Structures Constructed by Shah Jahan
The following monuments were also constructed by Shah Jahan during his rule:
Red Fort or Lal Quila (Delhi)
Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque (Lahore)
Shalimar Gardens (Lahore)
Sections of the Lahore Fort (Lahore)
Shahjahan Mosque (Thatta)
Chhatrapati Shivaji
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha Empire in western India. He is considered to be one of the greatest warriors of his time and even today, stories of his exploits are narrated as a part of the folklore. King Shivaji used the guerrilla tactics to capture a part of, the then, dominant Mughal empire.
During the late 16th and the 17th Centuries, the European trading companies in India competed with each other ferociously. By the last quarter of the 18th Century the English had outdone all others and established themselves as the dominant power in India. The British administered India for a period of about two centuries and brought about revolutionary changes in the social, political and the economic life of the country.
Once the British set their foot solidly on Indian soil, they began the commercial exploitation of the natural resources of India. By the middle of the 19th Century arrogant exploitation of the people had tried the patience of the Indians to the limit. The British imperialism reached its zenith between the middle of the nineteenth century and the First World War. The exploitative policies of the British in India saw the birth of nationalist agitation against it. With increasing intrusion of aliens in their lives, a group of middle class Indians formed the Indian National Congress (1885).
The anti British struggle became truly a mass movement with the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948). It was followed by numerous movements against the British rule. With the passage of time and stubbornness of the Indians the British had come to realize that the day was not far off when they will have to quit India.
Reference: http://www.culturalindia.net/
