Travel
Resources - The History of India
The history of India can be
traced back to 2500 B.C., the time when the Indus Valley Civilization
flourished. The Indus Valley inhabitants were urban and their culture
was established on agricultural trade and commerce. The Vedic
civilization of the Iron Age followed up the Indus Valley civilization,
reaching its peak during the 6th
century BC. Subsequently, the Maurya Empire emerged in the 3rd
century BC and it was one of the largest empires in the world.
In the 4th
century AD, the Golden Age of India was brought about by the Gupta
Empire. From the 10th
to 15th
centuries, the Muslim empires dominated the topography of India.
Another major turning point in Indian history came about with the
advent of the British East India Company and eventually the British
Crown from the 18th
century to the middle of the 20th
century. In all these major phases in Indian history, several cultural,
economic, religious, political, and social transformations took place
which ultimately helped to create the fabric of modern India.
Notable
People in Indian History
- Aryabhata Biography:
Aryabhata who was also called Aryabhata I, was one of ancient
world’s most brilliant mathematicians.
- Ashoka:
Ashoka was also called 'Devanampriya Priyadarshi'. He was known as an
ideal Indian ruler.
- Gandhi:
Known as the “Father of the Nation”, Gandhi was
India’s spiritual and political leader during the struggle
for Independence.
- Mother
Teresa: Not an Indian but a
citizen of Inda, and world famous for her selfless work in the country.
Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
- Nehru, Jawaharlal:
Nehru (1889-1964) was the first prime minister of independent India. He
was a follower of Gandhi.
- Swami Vivekananda:
The great spiritual sage Vivekananda and his timeless quotes
which are still relevant today
Historic
Indian Locations
- Monuments in India:
Some of the most famous historical places in India. Includes the
Gateway of India and the India Gate.
- World Heritage Sites in India:
The World Heritage Sites in India are detailed in this website.
- Red Fort:
The Red Fort or the Lal Quila was inaugurated on 16th April 1639 by
Shah Jahan.
- Rashtrapati
Bhavan: The splendour and
architecture of Rashtrapati Bhavan is breathtaking. It is the
presidential residence of the largest democracy in the world.
- Historic Monuments:
The various monuments of India are described, including victory
pillars, palaces, forts, and tombs in different places of India.
Events
in Indian History
- The British Raj in India:
Beginning in 1858, India was under British colonial rule. It wasn't
until 1947 that India regained its independence.
- India Historical Background:
Some background on ancient Indian history. Some figures and events in
the history of India are described here.
- History and Politics:
A look at events such as the partition of India and the establishment
of the British rule in eastern India.
- 1450–1770:
The events during this time in Indian history which had a major impact
on the world economy and culture.
- From
Mongols to Mughals: More
information on the religious violence in India between the 9th-18th
centuries.
- The
Aryans: Provides information on
the history of the Aryans in Indian civilization during the Rigvedic
Period (1700- 1000 BC). The religious praise poems of that time are
considered the oldest pieces of Indian literature.
Art
and Architecture
- Art and Architecture:
Resources providing information on Indian and Southeast Asian Art.
- Early Indian Architecture and Art: Early
Indian Architecture articles which deal with temple design,
architecture, and art in ancient India.
- Architecture:
Offers information on the Taj Mahal, which is widely regarded as the
showpiece of Indian architecture. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built the
remarkable mausoleum in memory of his wife.
- Silk Road:
A number of features and the architecture of the Delhi Sultanate which
is a typical Indian Islamic architecture with dark masonry and mixed
light.
- Folk Arts:
Indian Performing Arts comprising of cultures, subcultures, and nearly
a thousand languages.
Literature
and Drama
- The Mahabharata:
An introduction to the study of the work with a brief summary and
reviews of some of the available translations.
- Classical Indian Literature:
Classical Indian Literature from the Gupta Era 320 CE-550 CE.
- Two Plays of Ancient India:
Two masterpieces from the ancient dramatic literature of India. The
Little Clay Cart and Shakuntala
are studied intensely with an analysis of the portrayed
culture.
- Indian Literature: A
resources page on Indian literature.
- Tantroid Phenomena:
An essay which delves deep into Early Indic Literature.
- Deconstructing Rabindranath Tagore:
The two works by Rabindranath Tagore are examined, namely the two
plays, The King and the Queen
and Sacrifice.
Music
and Dance
- Classical
Music from India: Heritage
information on the Indian classical dance forms of India.
- Music
and Dance: A non-profit society
with an objective to deliver high quality Indian classical music.
- India Music and Dance:
A short but informative discussion on Indian music, song, and dance.
- India's Contribution to the Fine Arts:
More on Indian music, dance, and exponents of Indian dance. Also covers
vocal music such as Yamini Krishnamurthy, Bhimsen Joshi,
and Subbalakshmi
- Indian Music Resources:
The classic Indian classical music
‘Gharana’ which is governed by
concepts of Bhaava (Emotion), Raaga (Melody), and Taala (Rhythm).
- Early
Indian Music: Comprehensive
information on early Indian music, performance, and dance.
- India
Dance: Explores the graceful
body movements of Indian dance and its contemporary and innovative
forms.
Religion
and Philosophy
Daily
Life and Culture
- Indian History and Culture:
The remarkable fluidity of Indian culture and the dynamics between
Indian peoples.
- Ancient
Indian History: The history of
the sub-continent is explained with the advent of Indian culture along
the Indus River and the cultural dawn in Southern India.
- The
Culture of India: Explores the
roots of tradition and transformation in the long and chequered history
of modern India.
- Portraits of India:
Some portraits and photographic subjects of India including scenes of
urban and rural life, merchants, and crafts.
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