` SRIRAM IAS ACADEMY CDS EXAM

 History study material By Sriram mallireddy

 ANCIENT INDIAN HISTORY 

1. PRE-HISTORY 

1.1 Stone Age The name India was derived from the river name Sindhu which is also known as Indus. India was originally considered as a part of a larger area called Jambudwipa (The continent of Jambu tree) The modern human being first appeared around 36000 BC. In the Paleolithic age which lasted till 8000 BC, primitive man used tools and implements of rough stone. Initially man was a food gatherer and depended on nature for food. He learnt to control fire which helped him to improve his way of living. From 8000 BC the Mesolithic age began and continued up to 4000 BC in India. During this time sharp and pointed tools were used for killing fast‐moving animals. Neolithic settlements are not older than 4000 BC. Man began to domesticate animals and cultivate plants. Towards the end of the Neolithic period metals like copper and bronze were used. This was the Chalcolithic phase. 


 
 1.2 Indus Valley Civilization The Bronze Age in the Indian subcontinent began around 3300 BCE with the early Indus Valley Civilisation. It was centred on the Indus River and its tributaries which extended into the Ghaggar-Hakra River valley, the Ganges-Yamuna Doab, Gujarat, and south eastern Afghanistan. The civilisation is primarily located in modern-day India (Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan provinces) and Pakistan (Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan provinces). Inhabitants of the ancient Indus river valley, the Harappans, 

1. developed new techniques in metallurgy and handicraft and produced copper, bronze, lead, and tin. 2. Brought town planning and urbanism. 

3. knew the art of growing cereals, wheat and barley.

 4. the earliest people in the world to grow cotton and rice. 

5. domesticated oxen, buffaloes, goats, camel, sheep, domestic fowls and pigs. Horses were unknown to the Harappan people. 

6. used a system of weights and measures based on 16 and its multiples. 

The Mature Indus civilisation flourished from about 2600 to 1900 BCE, marking the beginning of urban civilisation on the subcontinent. The civilisation is noted for its cities built of brick, roadside drainage system, and multistoried houses. Great Bath in Pakisthan is one of the best known structures among ruins of Indus valley civilisation The civilisation included urban centres such as Dholavira, Kalibangan, Ropar , Rakhigarhi, and Lothal in modern-day India, and Harappa , Ganeriwala and Mohenjo-daro in modern-day Pakistan. The chief male deity of the Indus people was Pasupati Mahadeva (Porto Siva). Their Chief female deity was the Mother Goddess. They also worshipped fire, peepal trees and Unicorn. Reasons for declineFloods and Earthquakes, change in the course of river Indus, aridity of the area, or drying up of river Ghaggar, the invasion of Aryans are the supposed reasons for the decline of the civilization towards 1500 BC. 

 2. Vedic Age (1500 - 500 BC) The Vedic period is characterised by Indo-Aryan culture associated with the texts of Vedas, sacred to Hindus, which were orally composed in Vedic Sanskrit. In terms of culture, many regions of the subcontinent transitioned from the Chalcolithic to the Iron Age in this period. It became increasingly agricultural and was socially organised around the hierarchy of the four varnas, or social classes. In addition to the Vedas, the principal texts of Hinduism, the core themes of the Sanskrit epics Ramayana and Mahabharata are said to have their ultimate origins during this period. There are four Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharva Veda. 

1. Rig veda is the oldest veda. Famous Gayatri Mantra is contained in this. Mention about the origin of Universe is found in the Rig Veda (10th Mandala).

 2. Yajurveda deals with sacrifices and rituals.

 3. Sama Veda deals with Music.

 4. Atharva veda is a collection of spells and incantations. Ayurveda is a part of Atharva Veda, which deals with medicine. Upanishads are 108 in number. Upanishads are philosophical works. The words ‘Satyameva Jayate ’ have been taken from ‘Mundaka Upanishad’. Cattle was the chief measure of wealth of the vedic period. Indra was the greatest God of Aryans and Agni occupied second position. Varuna was God of water and Yama was the Lord of dead. The two priests who played a major part during the Rig Vedic period were Vashishta and Visvamitra. First law giver of ancient India was Manu. He wrote ‘Manusmrithi ’. 

 Jainism

 1. Vardhamana Mahavira was believed to have born in 540 BC in Kundala Grama in Vaishali the capital. Mahavira’s family was connected with the royal family of Magadha. 2. There were 24 tirthankaras (Prophets or Gurus), all Kshatriyas. 3. First was Rishabhanath (Emblem: Bull). 4. The 23rd Tirthankar Parshwanath (Emblem: Snake) was the son of King Ashvasena of Banaras. 5. His main teachings were: Non‐injury, Non‐lying, Non‐stealing, Non‐possession. 6. The 24th and the last Tirthankar was Vardhman Mahavira (Emblem: Lion). Mahavira attained Nirvana at the age of 72 at Pavapuri near Rajagriha in 468 BC. In the 13th year of his asceticism (on the 10th of Vaishakha), outside the town of Jrimbhikgrama, he attained supreme knowledge (Kaivalya). From now on he was called Jaina or Jitendriya and Mahavira, and his followers were named Jains. Ahimsa Paramo Dharma’ is the sacred hymn of Jainism. Mahavira taught the three Jewels of Jainism (Triratna) Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. Figure shows famous Gomateshwar temple in Karnataka. The Jains repudiated the authority or infallibility of the vedas. The Jains rejected the concept of Universal soul or a supreme power as the creator and sustainer of the Universe. Mahavira believed that all individuals irrespective of caste can strive for liberation through good deeds and living. Buddhism Buddhism originated in the 6th century BC. Gautama Buddha the founder of Buddhism was born in Lumbini in Kapilavasthu on the border of Nepal in 563 BC. Buddha’s mother Mahamaya died seven days after his birth. He was brought up by his aunt Mahaprajpati Gautami , hence he got the name ‘Gautama’. Buddhas original name was Sidhartha . Four sights changed his mind and initiated him to spiritual life they were death, old age, sadness and sufferings. He left home at the age of 29 along with his charioteer Channa and favourite horse Kandaka. This incident is known as ‘Mahabhinishkramana’ or The Great Renunciation) Buddha got enlightenment at Bodha Gaya , on the banks of Niranjana river in Bihar at the Age of 35. Buddha made his first sermon after enlightenment at a deer park at Saranath in Uttar Pradesh. This incident is known as ‘Dharmachakrapravarthana ’. Buddha made his sermons in Pali language and the early Buddhist texts were also written in Pali language. Viharas are the Buddhist monastries. ‘Jataka Stories’ describe the stories related to the birth of Buddha. They are 500. Symbols of buddha Birth Lotus and Bull Renunciation Horse Enlightenment Bodhitree First Sermon Dharma Chakra Nirvana (Death) Foot prints Buddhist worshipping centre is known as Pagoda . 3. SECOND URBANISATION 3.1 Magadhan Empire In the 6th century BC there originated 16 Mahajanapadas in North India. Four prominent royal dynasties stand out prominently out of these Janapadas. They were Haryankas of Magadha , the Ikshvakus of Kosala ,the Pauravas of Vatsa and the Pradyotas of Avanti . Haryanka is the name of a new dynasty founded in Magadha by Bimbisara . The Central Ganges Plain, where Magadha gained prominence, forming the base of the Mauryan Empire. Magadha became a supreme power in North India under Ajatasatru . So Ajatasatru is considered as the founder of Magadhan Supremacy. Pataliputra and Rajagriha were the capitals of Magadhan kingdom. Magadha falls in the Patna region of Bihar. Magadha played an important role in the development of Jainism and Buddhism, and two of India's greatest empires, the Maurya Empire and Gupta Empire, originated from Magadha. These empires saw advancements in ancient India's science, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy and were considered the Indian "Golden Age". The Magadha kingdom included republican communities such as the community of Rajakumara. Villages had their own assemblies under their local chiefs called Gramakas. Their administrations were divided into executive, judicial, and military functions. Haryankas were overthrown by Sisunaga and he founded the Sisunaga dynasty there. Kalasoka the son and successor of Sisunaga was succeeded by Mahapadma Nanda and he founded the Nanda dynasty. Alexander’s Invasion By 326 BCE, Alexander the Great had conquered Asia Minor and the Achaemenid Empire and had reached the northwest frontiers of the Indian subcontinent. There he defeated King Porus in the Battle of the Hydaspes (near modernday Jhelum, Pakistan) and conquered much of the Punjab. Alexander's march east put him in confrontation with the Nanda Empire of Magadha and the Gangaridai ofBengal. His army, exhausted and frightened by the prospect of facing larger Indian armies at the Ganges River, mutinied at the Hyphasis (modern Beas River) and refused to march further East. Alexander, after the meeting with his officer, Coenus, and learning about the might of Nanda Empire, was convinced that it was better to return. Alexander died of Malaria at the age of 33 in 323BC while he was in Babylon. Aristotle was Alexander’s teacher. Aristotle is considered as the father of Politics, Biology, Taxonomy and the Science of Logic. 3.2 Mauryan Empire (321-185 BC) Major sources for the study of Mauryan Empire are the books Arthshastra of Kautilya and Indica of Megasthenes . Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of Mauryan Empire. He conspired with Chanakya (Kautilya or Vishnugupta ) the minister of Nanda to overthrew the last Nanda ruler Dhana Nanda . Chandragupta Maurya ascended the throne in BC 321. He fought against Selucus in 305 BC. Selucus surrendered before him and sent an ambassador, Megasthenese to the court of Chandragupta. Chandragupta Maurya was converted to Jainism, abdicated the throne in favour of his son Bindusara, passed his last days at Sravanabelagola (Near Mysore) where he died in 298 BC. Chandragupa Maurya was responsible for the political unification of North India for the first time. Bindusara was a follower of Ajivika sect. Ashoka ascended the throne in 273BC and ruled upto 232 BC. Ashoka killed 99 of his brothers to capture the throne. Ashoka was the first king in Indian history who had left his records engraved on stones. His inscriptions were written in Kharoshti and Brahmi scripts . Ashoka fought the Kalinga war in 261 BC Kalinga is in modern Orissa. After the battle of Kalinga Ashoka became a Buddhist, being shocked by the horrors of the war.He sent his son and daughter to Sri Lanka for the spread of Buddhism (Mahendra and Sanghamitra) The emblem of the Indian Republic has been adopted from the four lion capital of one of Ashoka’s pillars which is located in Saranath . Rock-cut architecture in India made a beginning during Ashoka’s reign. Brihadratha, the last Mauryan ruler was killed by Pushyamitra Sunga who founded the Sunga Dynasty in 185 BC. Megasthenese the first foreign traveller to India mentions about the existence of seven castes in India during the Mauryan period. 4. CLASSICAL PERIOD 4.1 Sunga Dynasty (185-71 BC) The Sunga Empire or Shunga Empire was an ancient Indian dynasty from Magadha that controlled vast areas of the Indian Subcontinent from around 187 to 78 BCE. The dynasty was established by Pushyamitra Sunga, after the fall of the Maurya Empire. Pushyamitra Sunga ruled for 36 years and was succeeded by his son Agnimitra. Kalidasa’s drama Malavikagnimitram is about the love story of Pushyamitra’s son Agnimitra and Malavika . Art, education, philosophy, and other forms of learning flowered during this period including small terracotta images, larger stone sculptures, and architectural monuments such as the Stupa at Bharhut, and the renowned Great Stupa at Sanchi. Last ling of sunga dynasty was Devabhuti. Sanchi Stupa 4.2 Indo Greeks First to invade India were the Greeks who were called Indo-Greeks. The most famous Indo-Greek ruler was Menander with his Capital at Sakala in Punjab (Modern Sialkot). The Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in India, coins bearing the figure of kings. Indo-Greeks were the first to introduce military governorship in India. 4.3 Kushans Kushans came to India from North Central Asia. The most famous Kushana ruler was Kanishka . The Capital of Kanishka was Peshawar. The Gandhara School of Art received royal patronage under the Kushans. Kanishka patronised Mahayana form of Buddhism. and is called the ‘Second Ashoka ’. Kanishka was the first king who inscribed the image of Lord Buddha on his coins. The kingdom linked the Indian Ocean maritime trade with the commerce of the Silk Road through the Indus valley, encouraging long-distance trade, particularly between China and Rome. 4.4 GUPTA EMPIRE (320 - 540 AD) – GOLDEN AGE Chandra Gupta I was the real founder of the Gupta Empire. He came to the throne in 320 AD. He was the first ruler to adopt the title Maharajadhiraja. He laid the foundation of Gupta Era on 26 February 320 AD. Samudra Gupta succeeded Chandragupta I in 335 AD. Samudra Gupta is described as ‘Indian Napoleon ’by V.A. Smith. Sanskrit was the court language of the Guptas. The best specimen of the Gupta paintings are seen at Ajanta caves (in Aurangabad, Maharastra) and the Bhaga caves. Chandragupta II the greatest of Gupta rulers was popularly known as Vikramaditya. ‘Nine gems ’ or ‘Navratnas ’ was a famous Scholastic Assembly in the court of Chandragupta II. The members in the Ninegems were - Kalidasa, Kadakarbhara, Kshapanaka, Varahmihira, Vararuchi, Vethalabhatta, Dhanvantari, Ammarasimha, Sanku . Skandagupta Vikramaditya was the last great ruler of Gupta Empire. He was the only hero in Asia and Europe who defeated the Hunas in their glorious period. The Gupta period produced scholars Kalidasa, Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Vishnu Sharma, and Vatsyayana who made great advancements in many academic fields Most important Industry of the Gupta period was textile. Earlier Guptas had their capital at Prayag in Allahabad, later it was shifted to Ujjain by Chandragupta II. Aryabhatta was the first to use Decimal System. The Gupta period marked the beginning of Indian temple architecture. Nalanda and Takshila were the two universities of this period. 4.5 Harsha Vardhana (606 - 647AD) The last Hindu Emperor of North India was Harshavardhana (Last Hindu king of Delhi was Prithviraj Chauhan). He belonged to the Pushyabhuti Dynasty , also known as Vardhana Dynasty . He made Kanauj his new capital from Taneswar. Harsha’s biography ‘Harsha Charita ’ was written by his court poet Banabhatta . He also wrote‘Kadambari ’. Harsha Vardhana was a poet and dramatist. Ratnavali, Priyadarshika and Nagananda are the works of Harshavardhana. 5. LATE CLASSICAL PERIOD 5.1 Chalukyas of Badami The rule of the Chalukyas marks an important milestone in the history of South India and a golden age in the history of Karnataka. The political atmosphere in South India shifted from smaller kingdoms to large empires with the ascendancy of Badami Chalukyas. The magnificient temples of Belur and Halebid and the Elephanta caves (in Mumbai) were constructed during the Chalukyan period. Trimurti at elephant caves: Pulikeshin II was the most famous ruler of the Chalukya dynasty.The greatest achievement of Pulikeshin II was the defeat he inflicted on Harshavardhana. Pulikeshin II defeated the Pallavas and captured Kanchi. He also defeated Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. 5.2 Pallavas Simhavishnu was the founder of the Pallava dynasty. Narasimhavarman , a Pallava ruler, defeated Pulikeshin II and adopted the title Vatapikonda . The Ratha temples at Mahabalipuram (Seven Pagodas) were created by Narasimhavarman I. Narasimhavarman II was the most important ruler of the Pallava dynasty. He founded Kailasanatha Temple and the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram. 5.3 Rashtrakutas Rashtrakuta dynasty was founded by Dandidurga in 753 AD. With the capital at Manyakhed or Malkhed . The Kailasanath Temple at Ellora was founded by the Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna I. Architecture reached a milestone in the Dravidian style, the finest example of which is seen in the Kailasanath Temple at Ellora. Other important contributions are the sculptures of Elephanta Caves in modern Maharashtra as well as the Kashivishvanatha temple and the Jain Narayana temple at Pattadakal in modern Karnataka, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 5.4 The Chandelas of Bundelkhand The Chandela dynasty was founded By Yasovarman with Mahobas as the Capital The Khajuraho temples are the best examples of the Chandela art. 5.5 Cholas Vijayalaya was the founder of the Chola empire. He was a feudatory of the Pallavas of Kanchi. He built the Brihadeshwara temple at Tanjavur which is called the Raja Rajeswara temple. Cholas maintained a well established local – self-government system. EMINENT PERSONALITIES OF ANCIENT INDIA Ashwaghosh : Buddhist monk who initiated Kaniskha to Buddhism wrote Buddha charita, Sutralankar and Sandaranand. Banabhatta : Court poet of Harshavardhana and author of Harsha Charita and Kadambari. Charak : He was an Ayurvedic expert wrote Charak-Samhita and established the Aitereya branch of Ayurvedic medicines. Dhanananda : He was a powerful king of Magadha. Alexander did not go forward to invade Magadha only after hearing his reputation. Kalidas : Famous Sanskrit poet who wrote, Raghuvamsa, Kumara Sambhavam, Abhigyana Shakuntalam, Vikramorvashiyam Malavikagnimitram Meghadootam Ritusamharam. Kamban : A Tamil poet of 11th century who wrote Ramayan in Tamil. Mihir Bhoja : Famous Prathihara ruler of 9th century. Kalhana - Famous Kashmiri poet and historian.He wrote Raja Tarangini. Menander : He came to India as a foreign aggressor in II Century BC. MilindaPanho, a book written by Nagasena, is about him. Nagarjuna : Famous Buddhist monk. Shushrut : He was a doctor of Ayurvedic medicine. He started the Dhanwantri branch and was an expert in Plastic Surgery. Panini : Sanskrit scholar specially of Grammar. He wrote Ashtadyayi. Varahamihira : He was famous astronomer who wrote Brihat Samhita. Sankaracharya : born in Kaladi in Kerala. He propagated Advaita Philosophy. MEDIEVAL INDIA EDIEVAL INDIA Arab Conquest of Sindh During the Khaliphate of Omar, Arab forces made fertile attempts to get Bombay Arabs captured Sindh in 712 AD. The Arab conquest of Sindh was led by Muhammed Bin Kassim. The Arabs lost control over Sindh in 779 AD and it resulted in the spread of Islam to North India. Turkish Invasions Muhammed Ghazni was the first Turkish conqueror of North India. He attacked India only for want of wealth. He attacked India seventeen times between 1000 and 1027 AD. He made all the raids in the guise of Jihad. The most important raid of Muhammed was the Somnath expedition. He completely destroyed the temple. Muhammed Ghazni died in 30th April 1030. Later his son Masud attacked India and captured Kashmir. The famous Persian poet Firdausi who wrote‘ Shahnama’ (The Book of Kings) lived in his court. Muhammed of Ghore attacked India betwen 1175 and 1206 AD. Muhammed Ghori made his first expedition to India and captured multan in 1175 AD. In the First Battle Tarain in 1191 Muhammed Ghori was defeated by the Rajput forces under Prithviraj Chauhan III. In the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 AD), Muhammed Ghori assisted by Qutub -ud-din Aibek, a slave, defeated Prithviraj Chauhan III. In 1193 Muhamed Ghori attacked Jaichand, father in law of Prithviraj III at Kanauj, Jaichandwas defeated. Muhammed Ghori returned from India by intrusting his territories in India in the hands of Qutub-Uddin Aibak. After the death of Ghori in 1206 , Aibek founded the Slave Dynasty. Muhammed Ghori’s Indian invasion resulted in the foundation of Islamic rule in India. Delhi Sultanate The five dynasties which founded subsequently after the Turkish invasion were collectively known as Delhi sultanate. They are: Slave Dynasty ..................... 1206 – 1290 Khilji Dynasty .................... 1290 – 1320 Tughlaq Dynasty ................. 1320 - 1412 Sayyid Dynasty ................... 1414 - 1451 Lodi Dynasty....................... 1451 – 1526 Slave Dynasty (1206 - 1290) The capital of Qutub-ud-din Aibak was at Lahore. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started the construction of Qutub Minar in 1199 in Delhi in memory of the Sufi saint Qutub-ud-din Bhaktiar Kaki. Its construction was completed by Iltutmish. Qutub-ud-din Aibak died 1210 by falling from horseback while playing Polo. During the period of Ilthumish (1210-1236), Chenghez Khan, the Mongol conqueror attacked India (1221). Iltutmish is considered as the real founder of Delhi Sulthanate. He organised the ‘Chalisa ’ or Turkani Chihalgani or the famous Turkish forty to help him in the administration. The revenue system of the Sulthanate ‘Iqta system ’,was introduced by Ilthumish. Ilthumish was succeeded by his son Ruknuddin Firoz Shah. But he was later executed and Razia became the sultan (daughter of Iltutmish). Raziya Sultana,the only women ruler of, the Sultanate came to power in 1236 and reigned till 1240. She rejected the Pardah, she adorned the male dress and held open courts. After Raziya Sultana, Ghiasuddin Balban ‘a slave water carrier, huntsman,noble, statesman became the Sultan of Delhi in 1266 and continued in power till 1686 AD. The Chalisa or Turkani Chihalgani established by Ilthumish was abolished by Balban.He started the Iranian system of Sajda and Piabos. He was a patron of men of letters and showed special favour to the poet Amir Khusrau. Khilji Dynasty (1290 -1320) Khilji dynasty was founded by Malik Firoz in 1290 and assumed the title Jalaluddin Khilji. In 1292 the Mongols under Abdulla accepted defeat from Jalaluddin Khilji. Alauddin Khilji , the nephew of Jalaluddin Khilji, killed him after his victory on Devagiri in 1296. In 1303 Alauddin Khilji attacked Chittor, the capital of Mewar, to marry Padmini the wife of Chittor king Ratna Singh but Padmini and other Rajput women committed Juhar (Juhar is a mass suicide by Jumping into fire, committed by Rajput women to escape frombeing polluted by others) Malik Kafur was Alauddin Khilji’s Commander who attacked South India. Alauddin banned the use of liquor. Alauddin had a dream of a World Conquest so he assumed the title ‘Sikhandar-i-sani ’ or SecondAlexander. Alauddin abolished the Zamindari System and imposed tax on cattle. Alauddin constructed Alai Darwaza: the gateway of Qutub Minar. He was responsible for the introduction of postal system in medieval India. Alauddin Khilji was killed by his commander Malik Kafur by poisoning. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320 - 1412) Tughlaq Dynasty was founded by Ghiazuddin Tughlaq . His real name was Ghazi Malik. He built the Tughlaqabad Fort in Delhi. He was the first Sultan to start irrigation works. GhiassuddinTughlaq was succeeded by his son Jauna Khan , popularly known as Muhammed BinTughlaq .In 1330 he introduced token currency of bronze and copper. Muhammed Bin Tughlaq was succeeded by his elderly cousin, Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the first Sulthan of Delhi to impose Jaziya. It was a religious tax for the freedom of worship. He imposed it only upon Brahmins. He built the city of Firozbad in Delhi. The Firoz shah Kotla was also built by him. The gate way of Firozshah Kotla is Khooni Darwaza , or bloodstained gate. It was constructed by Sher Shah Suri. He transplanted two Ashokan Pillars to Firozabad. After Firozshah Tughlaq, Naziruddin Muhammed came to the throne. It was during the period of his reign that Timur the Lame or Tamerlain, a Turkish conqueror of Tartar tribe from Samarkand attacked India in1398. Lodhi Dynasty (1451-1526) Lodhi dynasty was founded by Bahlol Lodhi in 1451. Lodhi dynasty was the first Afghan dynasty or first Pathan dynasty in India. Sikhandar Lodhi shifted the capital from Delhi to Agra. Last Lodhi Sulthan was Ibrahim Lodhi . Rana Sangram Singh of Mewar defeated him. His brother Daulat Khan Lodhi invited Babar to India to defeat Ibrahim Lodhi in 1524. Babar defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 April 21. The title Sultan was started by the Turkish rulers. Muhammed Ghazni was the first to assume the title Sultan. The official language of the Delhi Sulthanate was Persian. The Mughal Empire The Mughals were originally Turks. Babar Babar, the founder of the Mughal Empire, was the fifth descendant of Timuron Father’s side and the fourteenth descendant of Chengiz Khan on mothers side. On 16 March 1527 he defeated Rana Sangha of Mewar, in the Battle of Khanwa. In 1528, he defeated rajputs of Malwa in the Battle of Chanderi. In 1529, in the Battle of Ghaghra, afghans were defeated by him. Babur was the first to use Artillery in India. Babur was the first Mughal ruler to keep in hand the Kohinoor Diamond. Humayun Humayun was an accomplished mathematician and astronomer. In 1539 by the Battle of Chausa, Humayun was defeated for the first time by Sher Shah Suri. In the next year (1540) Sher shah completely defeated Humayun in the battle of Kanauj and founded the Sur dynasty. After the lapse of 15 years Humayun re-captured the Empire by defeating the last Sur ruler Sikhandar Shah Suri by the battle of Sirhindh in1555. Humayun died by an accidental fall from the staircase of his Library ‘ Shermandal’ at the Purana Qila in Delhi in 1556. The Purana Qila was constructed by Humayun but its construction was completed by Shershah. Humayun’s tomb is situated in Delhi. Akbar the Great Akbar was born in 1542.He came to the throne on 1556 at the age of 14 at Kalanur. Hemu the Hindu Prime Minister of Muhammed Adil shah of Bihar occupied Agra and accepted the title Maharaja Vikramaditya. Akbar killed Hemu in the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556 November 2. AGRA FORT Akbar became an independent ruler at the age of 18 in 1560, after dismissing Bairam Khan.In 1562 Akbar married Jodha Bhai , the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Ajmer. In 1564, he abolished the religious tax Jaziya. Akbar built a new capital city Fatehpur sikri near Agra. Buland Darwaza is the gate way of Fatehpur Sikri, built by Akbar. In 1582 Akbar founded a new religion for universal peace and monotheism known as ‘Din E Ilahi ’ meaning Divine Faith. In 1576 Akbar defeated Maharana Pratap of Mewar in the battle of Haldighati The Portuguese introduced tobacco for the first time in India in the court of Akbar in 1604. Akbar died in 1605.His tomb is situated at Sikhandra near Agra. He divided the Mughal Empire into 12 Subahs (provinces) for the administrative conveniences. Akbar was also the first ruler to organise Hajj Pilgrimage at the government expense. Jahangir Early name of Jahangir was Salim. He came to the throne in 1605. In 1606 Jahangir executed fifth Sikh Guru, Arjun Dev, because he helped Jahangir’s son Prince Khusru to rebel against him. Jahangir built Shalimar and Nishant Gardens. Jahangir died in 1627 and was cremated at Shahdhara in Lahore. Shah Jahan Shah Jahan was born on 5th January 1592 at Lahore. Shah Jahan’s period is considered as the Golden Age of Mughal Architecture and Shah Jahan is known as the Prince of Builders. In 1631 he started the construction of Taj mahal in memory of his wife and completed in 1653. It is situated on the banks of Yamuna river in Uttar Pradesh. In 1638 Shah Jahan built his new capital Shah Jahanabad in Delhi and shifted the capital from Agra to there. In 1639 he started the construction of Red fort in Delhi on the model of Agra fort built by Akbar. The Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas and the Moti Masjid are situated inside the Red fort. The Moti Masjid in Agra was constructed by ShahJahan. In 1656 ShahJahan constructed the Jama Masjid in Delhi. It is the biggest masjid in India. In 1658 Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangazeb and he died in 1666, after eight years. JAMA MASJID TAJ MAHAL The famous Peacock Throne was built by Shah Jahan. It was abducted from here by Nadir Shah in 1739 during his Indian invasion (Persian conqueror). Aurangazeb Aurangazeb is known as‘Zinda Pir ’ or living saint because of his simple life. He banned music and dance. He ousted all the artists from his court. At the same time he was an accomplished Veena player. Aurangazeb was the last great Mughal Emperor. In 1675 he executed 9th Sikh Guru Guru Tej Behadur because of his reluctance to accept Islam. He was executed at the Chandni Chauk. In 1679 Aurangzeb constructed Bibi ka Makabara. It is otherwise known as Mini Tajmahal as it was the blind imitation of Tajmahal. In the same year he reimposed Jaziya upon all the non Muslims, which was earlier abolished by Akbar. Aurangazeb is considered as religiously fanatic. He was also a temple breaker. He persecuted the Hindus and imposed prohibition against the free exercise of Holi and Diwali. Aurangazeb died in 1707 February 20,at Ahmednagar. His tomb is situated at Daulatabad in Maharashtra. Late Mughals In 1739 Nadirshah ,Persian conqueror attacked India during the period of the Mughal Emperor Muhammed Shah and took away Shah Jahan’s famous Peacock Throne and Kohinoor Diamond. Ahmedshah’s(1748 -1754) period saw the mighty invasion of Ahmed Shah Abdali of Afghanistan. Bahadurshah II (837-1862) was the last Mughal emperor. On 17th May 1857 Bahadurshah II was declared the independent Emperor of India by the Mutineers. Shershah Suri In 1539 by the battle of Chausa , Sher khan defeated Humayun for the first time Later in 1540 he completely defeated Humayun in the battle of Kanauj and founded the Sur dynasty. While directing the operations of his artillery at Kalanjar against the ruler of Bundelkhand Raja Kirat Singh, Shershah was seriously wounded by a sudden fire from his own artillery and died on May 22, 1545. Shershah constructed the Grand Trunk Road from Sohargaon to Attock (Calcutta to Amritsar). He introduced the National Highway concept for the first time in India. He was the first ruler to introduce Silver Rupiya. He built the Purana Qila in Delhi (its Construction was started by Humayun) and his own tomb at Sasaram in Bihar. FAMOUS PERSONALITIES IN MEDIEVAL INDIA Abul Fazal : He was a a great scholar poet Historian in the court of Akbar. He wrote Akbarnamahand Ain-i- Akbari. Chand Bibi : She was the daughter of Nizam Shairuler of Ahmed Nagar and was married to the Adil Shahi ruler of Bijapur. As a widow she fought with Mughals to save her dynasty. Bairam Khan : He helped Akbar to defeat Hemu. Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti : He was a sufi saint of 12th century who started the Chishtia sect at Ajmer. Lalitaditya of Karkota dynasty : He ruled over Kashmir from 724 to 760. The famous Martand Mandir temple was built by him. Mirza Ghias Beg : He was the father of Nur Jahanand received the title Etmatuddaula. His tomb is in Agra. Rana Kumbha : He was a Rajput ruler of 15th century. He built a kirti Stambh at Chittar. MODERN HISTORY 363 MODERN INDIA Advent of the Europeans A new Sea route to India via Cape of Good Hope (Southern tip of South Africa) by Vasco da Gama in 1498 AD marked the beginning of European period in Indian History. The most famous Portuguese men from the point of view of India: Vasco da Gama, Almeida and Albuquerque. Don Francisco de’Almedia was the first Portuguese governor in the East. His policy was called ‘‘the bluewater policy’’ which aimed at the establishment of strong navy. The greatest Portuguese governor to the East was Albuquerque. He was the real founder of the Portuguese authority in India. The Portuguese introduced agricultural products such a cashew, coconut, custard apple, pineapple etc. in India. They introduced Tobacco in the court of Akbar in 1604. The Portuguese started the first press in India at Goa in 1556. Portuguese captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultan in 1510. The English and the French The English East India Company was formed by a group of Merchants Hector, the first ship of the English East India company reached Surat on 24 August 1606. Sir Thomas Roe, first ambassador of James I of England landed at Surat and met Jahangir in 1613 and the first English factory, was established at Surat. The first Carnatic war between the French and the English for supremacy in South India occurred in 1742. It ended in 1748 by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapple. The second Carnatic war was from 1748 to 1754. Robert Clive was the Governor of the English during the Carnatic wars. The Second Carnatic war ended with the treaty of Pondicherry in 1754. The Third Carnatic war was from 1758 to 1763. With the treaty of Paris in 1763 peace was settled between the French and English. In 1756 Siraj-ud-daula, the Nawab of Bengal, attacked Calcutta and captured it. 146 British prisoners including their commander John Zepheria Holwell and four women were locked in a small room. 123 of them died inside due to suffocation. This incident is known a Black-hole tragedy. Battle of Plassey was fought between Robert Clive and Siraj-ud-daula, the Nawab of Bengal in 1757. Siraj-uddaula was defeated in the battle. Mir Zafar was made the Nawab of Bengal after the battle of Plassey. After the battle of Plassey Robert Clive became the first Governor of Bengal. The Construction of fort William of Calcutta was started by Lord Clive. In 1764 the European Bengal Regiment mutinied which was followed by the First Indian Sepoy Mutiny against the British. The combined forces of Mir Kasim, Emperor of Delhi and Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula of Oudh were defeated in the Battle of Buxar on October 23, 1764. Robert Clive introduced official postal system in India in 1766. Executors of British Policies 1. Warren Hastings: (1772-85) He introduced quinquennial settlement of land revenue in 1772. He codified the Hindu and Muslim laws. He founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal with William Jones in 1784. He abolished the Dual Government in Bengal In 1772.The Regulating Act of 1775 appointed him the first Governor General. 2. Lord Cornwallis (1786 - 93) He introduced Permanent settlement in 1793. The Police system was introduced in India. Cornwallis Code was introduced. It was based on the separation of powers. 3. Lord Wellesley (1793 - 1798) Described himself as Bengali Tiger . he created the Madras presidency. Introduced the system of Subsidiary Alliance.

 4. Lord Minto (1807-1813) Signed the treaty of Amritsar in 1809 between Ranjith Singh of Punjab and the English. 

5. Lord Hastings (1813-23) He abolished the Peshwaship Introduced the Ryotwari System. Mahalwari System of land revenue was introduced in NW Province by James Thomson. 

6. Lord William Bentinck (1828- 35) First Governor General of India by the government of India Act of 1833. Banned the practice of Sati in 1829. Banned female infanticide. Created the province of Agra in 1834. Made English to be the court language in higher court but Persian continued in Lower courts. 7. Sir Charles Metcalfe (1835 - 36) Abolished restriction on press Slavery was abolished by Governor general Lord Ellenborough. 8. Lord Dalhousie (1849 - 56) Introduced the policy of ‘Doctrine of Lapse ’ Boosted up the development of Railways and laid the first Railway line in 1853 from Bombay to Thane and Second from Calcutta to Raniganj. Hindu Marriage Act was passed in 1856. In 1853 started recruitment of the Civil Service by competitive examination SOCIO-RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENTS 1. Rammohan Roy (1772 - 1883) and Brahmo Samaj Believed in monotheism and opposed idol worship, abolished Sati. 2. Arya samaj and Swami Dayanand Saraswathi (1875) He said ‘Go back to Vedas ’. His book Satyartha Prakash is based on them. He was the first to consider Hindi as a National Language. He started the Suddhi Movement to re-convert to Hinduism those who were converted to other religions. 3. Ramakrishna Paramhamsa (1834 - 1886) Vivekananda was his disciple. He is called the‘patriot saint of India ’. Theosophical Society The Theosophical Society was founded by Madame Blavatsky and Col. H.S.Olcott in Newyork in 1875. Its philosophy was inspired by the Hindu Upanishads. Dr. Annie Basant came to India in 1893, was its notable President. In 1898 she started the Central Hindu School at Benaras, it later became Benaras Hindu University under Madan Mohan Malavya (1916). She was the first woman to become the president of INC in 1917. She started the Home Rule League with the Cooperation of Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1916 with Dadabhai Naoroji as its President. Jyotiba Phule Belonging to the low caste of Mali from Maharashtra, struggled against upper caste domination and Brahaman supremacy through his Sathyashodhak Samaj founded in 1873. He pioneered the Widow Remarriage Movement in Maharashtra and worked for the education of women. Aligarh Movement BY Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817 - 98) He founded the Muhammadan Literary Society at Calcutta in 1863. In 1875 he founded Aligarh Muslim University The Revolt of 1857 The Centres and Leaders of the Revolt Lucknow Begum Hazrat Mahal Kanpur Nana Saheb Delhi General Bhaktkhan Bihar Kunwar Singh Jhansi Rani Lakshmi Bai Faridabad Maulavi Ahmmadulla Bareili Khan Bahadur The 19th Native Infantry at Berhampur which refused to use the greased Cartridge and the enfield rifle, started mutiny in February 26, 1857. The first shot was fired on March 29 by Mangal Pandey (of Ballia, UP) of the 14th Bengal Infantry at Barrakpore of Bengal. Mangal Pandey was hanged to death on 29 March 1857. May 10, 1857 witnessed the real mutiny at Meerut then in Delhi on 11th May. Bahadurshah II surrendered on September 21, 1957 at Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi. The capture of Delhi and the proclamation of Bahadurshah as the Emperor of Hindustan gave a positive political meaning to the revolt. Educated middle class section of Indian population did not support the revolt of 1857. As a result of the revolt of 1857 the then Governor General Lord Canning was appointed as the Viceroy of India. The revolt was completely crusted in 1858. The Great Indian National Movement The INC was founded in December 28, 1885 by A.O. Hume, a retired Civil Servant. W.C. Banerjee was the first president of INC. For the first time National Song Vande Matram was sung in the Calcutta session (1896) of INC i.e. Vande Mataram. Lord Curzon Partitioned Bengal In 1905 as a part of the ‘Divide and Rule Policy ’. The word Swaraj was first used in the Calcutta session in 1906. First Joint session of Congress and Muslim League was held at Lucknow 1916. Only session presided over by Gandhi – Belgaum (1924) Complete independence was demanded for the first time (1929) at Lahore. The Formation of the Muslim League (1906) under the Leadership of Aga Khan to divert the Muslims from the National Political Movement. Muhammed Iqbal, who presided over the Allahabad session of the League in 1930 gave the idea of Separate Muslim State in North West India. But the name ‘Pakistan’ was framed by Rahmat Ali. Mohammed Ali Jinnah gave his famous Two Nation Theory in March 1940, at the Lahore session of the Muslim League. Surat Split (1907) The clash between the Moderates and Extremists culminated in a split which occurred at Surat in 1907. Dr. Rash Bihari Bose was the INC President during the Surat Split. After the Surat Split the congress remained under the control of the Moderates. The Moderates did not approve the boycott of foreign goods but the Extenmists favoured it. The Moderates continued to have faith in the good intensions of the British government. They wanted self government in gradual stages, while the Extremists wanted complete autonomy at the earliest. 6 Montague - Chelmsford Reforms 1919 It is also known as the Government of India Act of 1919 . The Provincial Legislative Councils were enlarged and the majority of their members were to be elected. The provincial government was given more powers under the system of diarchy. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre - April 13,1919 In 1919, Rowlatt Act , which authorised the government to detain any person without trial was passed. The protest against this ‘Black Act ’ was the strongest in Punjab. It was on a Baishaki day. The British Officer General Dyer ordered his troops to open fire at unarmed gathering, who were gathered there to protest against the arrest of their popular leaders Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal. Sardar Udham Singh murdered Dyer in England as revenge. Non-Co-operation Movement (1920) Non Co-operation Movement was started with the aim of the annulment of the Rowlatt Act, and as well as moving towards the cherished goal of ‘swaraj ’. It was the first mass based political movement under Gandhi The main emphasis of the movement was on boycott of schools, colleges, law courts and advocacy of the use of Charkha. The whole movement was called off on 11th February 1922 at Gandhi’s insistence following the news of burning alive of 22 English policemen by the angry peasants at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district of UP on 5th February 1922. Khilafat Movement (1919) The main object of the Khilafat Movement was to force the British Government to change its attitude towards Turkey and restore the Turkish Sultan (Khalifa) to his former position. The Movement lost its relevance due to the reforms of Mustafa Kamal Pasha in Turkey who made Turkey a secular state. Simon Commission In November 1927, the British Government appointed Simon Commission, to go it to the question of further constitution reform. There were Seven members in the Simon Commission but no Indian. Lala Lajpat Rai was severely wounded in a police Lathi charge and died while protesting against the Commission in 1928. To avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh shot dead General Saunders. Civil Disobedience movement -1930 In 1930, Gandhiji launched the Civil Disobedience Movement with his famous Dandi March. ‘Poorna Swaraj ’ (complete independence) became goal at the Lahore session of the congress under the President ship of Nehru. At midnight on 31 December 1929, Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the newly adopted Tricolor Flag of freedom on the bank of river Ravi. Gandhiji started his Salt Satyagraha or the Dandi March on the morning of 12 March 1930 with a band of 78 volunteers. It was 385km (240 miles) Journey from Sabarmati Ashram at Ahmedabad to Dandi on the West Coast. On April 5, at 6 in the morning Gandhiji and his volunteers picked up salt lying on the sea-shore. Cripps Mission 1942 The mission under Stafford Cripps arrived in India on March 22, 1942 to find out a political formula for transfer of power to Indians. The main proposals of the mission was to grant Dominion status to India at the end of the Second World War and setting up of an interim government to administer the country in all matters except defence. The Congress and the League rejected the offer. Quit India Movement (1942) The failure of the Cripps Mission was the major reason for the beginning of Quit India Movement. The Movement began on 9 August 1942 after Bombay session. ‘‘Quit India ’’, ‘‘Bharat Chhodo ’’ ‘Do or Die ’ these were the powerful slogans of Quit India movement. Cabinet Mission (1946) Cabinet Mission proposed a federal government for the whole of India. It also provided for the establishment of a Constitutent Assembly to frame a constitution. On 2 September 1946 an Interim Government headed by Nehru came to power. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly. Mountbatten Plan (1947) Mountbatten. the last Governor General of India proposed a plan to divide India. Clement Atlee announced the plan in the House of Commons on 2 June 1947. The dominion of Pakistan was inaugurated in Karachi on 14th August 1947. India became free on 15th August 1947. The integration of Princely States was done by Sardar Patel By August 1947, all the 554 States, with the exceptiononly of Hyderabad, Kashmir and Junagarh acceded to the union. On 26th October the Maharaja of Kashmir, Harisingh signed the ‘‘Instrument of Accession’ The Nizam of Hyderabad signed the agreement.

 FOR MORE UPDATES AND DETAILS CONTACT:9703541984 9951985859 8897702740