2500 - 50 BC

2500 – 1500 Indus Valley Civilization
Highly developed civilization that derived its name from the river Indus. Two main cities of the Indus Valley Civilization are Harappa and Mohenjo. Agriculture was the backbone of the economy. Metals like bronze and copper were used extensively. Society was ruled by groups of merchants. People worshipped natural forces. The script was pictographic.
No clear picture as to how and why it came to an end.

1750 – 1000 Aryan Migration
Migration into Northwest of India of nomadic herding tribes from Iranian plateau; Indo-European language development; oral religious traditions preserved in Vedas, oldest of which, the Rig Veda, predates migration. Compilation of Vedas started. Religion was in the form of nature worship. Emergence of the tribe Bharata. No consciousness of caste
Distinction of Varnas : Aryans and Dasas. Later Aryans moved to Ganga-Jamuna-Doab.

1000 - 600 Epic Age
Foundation of Hinduism started. Early Hinduism characterized by sacrificial rituals, belief in karma and reincarnation, and division of society into four classes (varnas). Writing of Great epics. (1000-500) Age of the Ramayana, the Mahabharata or the Bhagwad Gita.

Society was rural and people lived in fortified camps. Kingship was no longer tribal, but hereditary. Cult of sacrifices and rituals emerged. Society was divided into four castes. People could change occupation as per wish. The priests gained in power.

623 - 543 Buddha
Traditional years of birth and death of the Buddha (Sidhartha). Buddhism founded in India (Sanchi, Bihar).

600 - 322 Hinduism
Caste system became more rigid. Mahavira and Buddha rebelled against caste system.
Iron implements helped to clear the dense forests. Civilization moved to Eastern parts.
Formation of Mahajanapadas. Magadha under Bimbisara and Ajat Shatru. Shisunanga and Nanda dynasty. Alexander crossed the Indus.

540 - 468
Traditional years of birth and death of Mahavira (Founded Jainism)

377
Buddhist Council at Vaisali

326
Alexander the Great of Greece invades, but fails to conquer, Northern India. His soldiers mutiny. He leaves India the same year. Greeks who remain in India intermarry with Indians. Interchanges of philosophy influence both civilizations. Greek sculpture impacts Hindu styles. Bactria kingdoms later enhance Greek influence.

305
Chandragupta Maurya, founder of first pan-Indian empire (-324-184), defeats Greek garrisons of Seleucus, founder of Seleucan Empire in Persia and Syria. At its height under Emperor Ashoka (reign -273-232), the Mauryan Empire includes all India except the far South.

302
Kautilya (Chanakya), minister to Chandragupta Maurya, writes Arthashastra, a compendium of laws, administrative procedures and political advice for running a kingdom.

273
Ashoka (-273-232 reign), greatest Mauryan Emperor, grandson of Chandragupta, is coronated. Repudiating conquest through violence after his brutal invasion of Kalinga, 260 BC, he converts to Buddhism. Excels at public works and sends diplomatic peace missions to Persia, Syria, Egypt, North Africa and Crete, and Buddhist missions to Sri Lanka, China and other Southeast Asian countries. Under his influence, Buddhism becomes a world power. His work and teachings are preserved in Rock and Pillar Edicts (e.g., lion capital of the pillar at Sarnath, present-day India's national emblem).

251
Emperor Ashoka sends his son Mahendra (270-204) to spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka, where he is to this day revered as the national faith's founding missionary.

250
Development/Diffusion of Sanskrit Culture Major texts of Hindu tradition take shape:Mahabharata, Ramayana, codification of laws, grammar, science, arts; gods Shiva, Vishnu are major figures; spread of Sanskritic culture to South India

200
Invasions of North India Invasions by Central Asian tribes. Bactrian Greeks; Sakas; Kushans.

187
End of the Maurya dynasty

187 - 75
Rule of the Sungas

150
Ajanta Buddhist Caves are begun near present-day Hyderabad. Construction of the 29 monasteries and galleries continues until approximately 650 ce. The famous murals are painted between 600 and 650 BC

58
Vikrama Samvat Era Hindu calendar begins.