The Definitive Indian History Compendium: One-Page Notes for UPSC, PCS, SSC, Bank, Railways & other exams

The A to Z History Compendium: The Only Revision Page You'll Ever Need

Overwhelmed by the vast history syllabus? This is your ultimate, one-stop revision guide. We have meticulously organized every dynasty, ruler, event, and concept from Indian and World History into a clear, detailed, and easy-to-navigate format. Bookmark this page — it's the only one you'll need for UPSC, PSC, SSC, and all other competitive exams.

Master Index: Navigate Your Revision

• Part A: Ancient Indian History
• Part B: Medieval Indian History
• Part C: Modern Indian History
• Part D: Post-Independence India
• Part E: Indian Art, Culture & World History

Part A: Ancient Indian History (~2 Million BCE - 750 CE)

A.1: The Dawn of Man & First Civilization

Period / Civilization	Timeline	Key Features, Technology & Lifestyle	Important Sites & Findings
Paleolithic Age	~2M - 10k BCE	Hunter-gatherers; Nomadic. Used unpolished stone tools: Hand-axes, Cleavers. Lived in rock shelters.	Bhimbetka (MP) for rock paintings; Soan Valley (Pak).
Mesolithic Age	~10k - 6k BCE	Transitional phase. Hunting, fishing, food gathering. Started animal domestication. Used Microliths (tiny stone tools).	Adamgarh (MP) & Bagor (RJ) show evidence of domestication.
Neolithic Age	~6k - 4k BCE	Agricultural Revolution. Settled life in villages. Wheel-made pottery. Polished stone tools.	Mehrgarh (Balochistan) for earliest agriculture; Burzahom (Kashmir) for pit-dwellings & dog burials; Chirand (Bihar).
Indus Valley Civilization	~2500 - 1900 BCE	First Urbanization (Bronze Age). Grid-pattern towns, burnt bricks, advanced drainage, trade with Mesopotamia. Worshipped Pashupati & Mother Goddess.	Harappa: Granaries. Mohenjo-daro: Great Bath, Bronze Dancing Girl. Lothal: Dockyard. Dholavira: Water Management. Kalibangan: Ploughed field.

A.2: The Vedic Age, Buddhism, Jainism & Philosophical Schools

Period / Philosophy	Timeline	Core Concepts & Beliefs	Key Texts, Personalities & Terms
Rigvedic Period	1500-1000 BCE	Pastoral society. Nature worship (Indra, Agni, Varuna). *Sabha* & *Samiti* were tribal assemblies. Society was largely egalitarian.	Rigveda (oldest Veda). Terms: *Jana* (tribe), *Gavishti* (war for cows).
Later Vedic Period	1000-600 BCE	Settled agricultural life (iron used). Rise of large kingdoms (*Janapadas*). Rigid, birth-based **Varna system**. Complex rituals and sacrifices became prominent.	Sama, Yajur, Atharva Vedas; Brahmanas, Aranyakas, **Upanishads** (focus on *Atman* & *Brahman*).
Jainism	6th Cent. BCE	Path: **Triratnas** (Right Faith, Knowledge, Conduct). Stressed extreme **Ahimsa** (non-violence). Anekantavada (many-sided reality). Goal: **Kaivalya** (liberation).	24 Tirthankaras: Rishabhdev (1st), Mahavira (24th). Texts: **Agamas**. Sects: Svetambara, Digambara.
Buddhism	6th Cent. BCE	Path: **Eightfold Path** (*Ashtangika Marga*). Core: Four Noble Truths. Doctrine of **Anatta** (no-soul). Goal: **Nirvana** (end of suffering).	Founder: **Gautama Buddha**. Texts: **Tripitakas**. Sects: Hinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana. Chinese pilgrims: **Fa-Hien** (during Gupta), **Hieun Tsang** (during Harsha).
Hindu Philosophical Schools	Ancient	Sankhya (Kapila), Yoga (Patanjali), Nyaya (Gautama), Vaisheshika (Kanada - atomic theory), Mimamsa (Jaimini), Vedanta (Badarayana).	Adi Shankaracharya (8th Cent. CE) proponent of **Advaita Vedanta** (Non-dualism). **Madhvacharya** (13th Cent. CE) proponent of **Dvaita** (Dualism).

The Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka, a testament to Mauryan imperial power and artistry. (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

A.3: The Great Ancient Indian Dynasties & Invasions

Dynasty / Ruler	Reign (Approx.)	Capital	Key Contributions, Events & Policies	Important Personalities / Terms
RISE OF MAGADHA
HARYANKA DYNASTY	544-412 BCE	Rajgir	First major dynasty of Magadha.
↳ Bimbisara	544-492 BCE	Rajgir	Founder. Contemporary of Buddha. Used matrimonial alliances (married princesses of Kosala & Lichchhavi).	Physician: Jivaka.
↳ Ajatashatru	492-460 BCE	Rajgir	Imprisoned/killed his father. Conquered Kosala & Vaishali. Convened the First Buddhist Council at Rajgir.
↳ Udayin	460-444 BCE	Pataliputra	Founded the new capital at Pataliputra at the confluence of Ganga and Son.
NANDA DYNASTY	344-322 BCE	Pataliputra	First non-Kshatriya dynasty. Known for immense wealth and a powerful army.
↳ Mahapadma Nanda	344-329 BCE	Pataliputra	"First Empire Builder of India". Conquered Kalinga. Assumed title *Ekarat* (sole sovereign).
↳ Dhana Nanda	329-322 BCE	Pataliputra	Last ruler. Unpopular. Overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya during Alexander's invasion of NW India.
THE MAURYAN EMPIRE
↳ Chandragupta Maurya	322-298 BCE	Pataliputra	Founder. Defeated Nandas & Seleucus Nicator. Embraced Jainism and went to Shravanabelagola.	Guru: Chanakya (Kautilya), author of *Arthashastra*. Greek Ambassador: Megasthenes, author of *Indica*.
↳ Bindusara	298-273 BCE	Pataliputra	Called "Slayer of Foes" (*Amitrochates* by Greeks). Maintained the vast empire.
↳ Ashoka the Great	268-232 BCE	Pataliputra	Kalinga War (261 BCE) was the turning point. Adopted Buddhism & policy of **Dhamma**. Convened **Third Buddhist Council**. Sent missions abroad.	Terms: *Dhamma Mahamattas*. Edicts written in Prakrit (Brahmi/Kharosthi script).
POST-MAURYAN & GUPTA ERA
KUSHAN DYNASTY	~30-375 CE	Purushapura	Controlled the **Silk Route**. Patronized Mahayana Buddhism & Gandhara/Mathura art schools.	Kanishka (started **Saka Era, 78 CE**), convened Fourth Buddhist Council. Court Personalities: Charaka (physician), **Ashvaghosha** (poet), Nagarjuna (philosopher).
GUPTA EMPIRE	~319-550 CE	Pataliputra	"The Golden Age of India". Period of great achievements in science, art, and literature. Development of Nagara style temples.
↳ Samudragupta	335-380 CE	Pataliputra	"Napoleon of India". Conquests detailed in **Allahabad Pillar Inscription** (*Prayag Prashasti*).	Court Poet: Harisena.
↳ Chandragupta II	380-415 CE	Pataliputra	Assumed title **Vikramaditya**. Defeated Shakas. His court had the **Navaratnas** (Nine Gems).	Navaratnas included: Kalidasa (poet/dramatist), Aryabhata (astronomer/mathematician - calculated Pi, explained eclipses), Varahamihira (astronomer), Amarasimha (lexicographer). Chinese pilgrim **Fa-Hien** visited.
↳ Kumaragupta I	415-455 CE	Pataliputra	Founded the great **Nalanda University**, a center of learning.
SOUTHERN DYNASTIES
SANGAM AGE (Chera, Chola, Pandya)	~300 BCE-300 CE	-	Flourishing trade with the Roman Empire. Produced rich Tamil **Sangam Literature**.	Texts: *Tolkappiyam* (grammar), *Silappadikaram* & *Manimekalai* (epics).
CHALUKYAS OF BADAMI	543-753 CE	Badami	Perfected the **Vesara** style of architecture (Aihole, Badami, Pattadakal).	Pulakeshin II, who defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of Narmada.
PALLAVAS OF KANCHI	575-897 CE	Kanchipuram	Pioneers of **Dravidian** architecture. Built Rock-cut Rathas & Shore Temple at **Mamallapuram**.	Mahendravarman I (patron of arts), Narasimhavarman I ("The Great Wrestler").
IMPERIAL CHOLAS	850-1279 CE	Thanjavur	Powerful Navy, SE Asia conquests. Exquisite bronzes (**Nataraja**). Most importantly, an efficient system of **local self-government**.	Rajaraja I (built Brihadeshwara Temple), Rajendra I (Ganga conquests, "Gangaikonda Chola").

Part B: Medieval Indian History (~750 CE - 1707 CE)

B.1: Bhakti & Sufi Movements

Movement	Core Philosophy	Key Saints & Personalities
Bhakti Movement	Emphasized direct emotional devotion to God to attain salvation, challenging caste rigidities. Divided into **Saguna** (with form) and **Nirguna** (formless) worship.	Saguna Saints: Ramanuja, Tulsidas (*Ramcharitmanas*), Surdas, Mirabai, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Nirguna Saints: Kabir, Guru Nanak (founder of Sikhism), Dadu Dayal.
Sufi Movement	Islamic mysticism that preached love and devotion to God to attain nearness. Organized into various orders (*Silsilas*).	Chishti Order: **Moinuddin Chishti** (Ajmer), Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, **Nizamuddin Auliya** (Delhi), Baba Farid. Suhrawardi Order: Baha-ud-din Zakariya.

The Qutub Minar, a towering symbol of the Delhi Sultanate's establishment. (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

B.2: The Delhi Sultanate (1206 - 1526 CE)

Dynasty / Ruler	Reign	Key Policies, Events & Architecture
SLAVE (MAMLUK) DYNASTY	1206-1290
↳ Qutb-ud-din Aibak	1206-1210	Founder. Began construction of Qutub Minar & Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque.
↳ **Iltutmish**	1211-1236	"Real Founder". Introduced **Iqta system**, Silver *Tanka* & Copper *Jital* coins. Organized the *Turkan-i-Chahalgani* (group of 40 nobles).
↳ Raziya Sultan	1236-1240	First and only female Muslim ruler of Delhi. Overthrown by the nobles.
↳ Ghiyasuddin Balban	1266-1287	Broke the power of the Chahalgani. Introduced *Sijda* & *Paibos*. Adopted a "Blood and Iron" policy.
KHILJI DYNASTY	1290-1320
↳ **Alauddin Khilji**	1296-1316	Extensive conquests. Introduced **Market Reforms** (price control), military branding (*Dagh* & *Chehra*). Built Alai Darwaza. Patronized poet **Amir Khusrau**.
TUGHLAQ DYNASTY	1320-1414
↳ **Muhammad bin Tughlaq**	1325-1351	Known for his five ambitious & failed projects (Token Currency, Capital Shift, etc.). Moroccan traveler **Ibn Battuta** visited his court.
↳ **Firoz Shah Tughlaq**	1351-1388	Built canals, hospitals, new towns. Imposed **Jizya** on Brahmins. Established *Diwan-i-Bandagani* (department of slaves).
LODI DYNASTY	1451-1526
↳ Ibrahim Lodi	1517-1526	Last Sultan. Defeated and killed by Babur in the **First Battle of Panipat (1526)**.

B.3: The Mughal Empire (1526 - 1857 CE)

Ruler	Reign	Key Policies, Events & Cultural Contributions
Babur	1526-1530	Founder. Won **Battle of Panipat (1526)** using gunpowder. Wrote autobiography *Tuzuk-i-Baburi*.
Humayun	1530-40 & 1555-56	Lost the empire to Sher Shah Suri; later regained it. Died falling from his library stairs.
Interregnum: Sur Dynasty (1540-1555) under Sher Shah Suri (Brilliant administrator, introduced silver Rupiya, built Grand Trunk Road).
Akbar the Great	1556-1605	Consolidated empire. **Policies**: **Mansabdari System**, Land Revenue (Zabti system by Todar Mal), religious policy of **Sulh-i-Kul** (peace with all), Din-i-Ilahi. Abolished Jizya. Built Fatehpur Sikri.
Jahangir	1605-1627	Zenith of Mughal **painting**. Executed Sikh Guru Arjan Dev. British Captain William Hawkins & Sir Thomas Roe visited his court.
Shah Jahan	1628-1658	"Golden Age of Mughal Architecture"**. Built **Taj Mahal**, Red Fort (Delhi), Jama Masjid. War of succession among his sons.
Aurangzeb	1658-1707	"Zinda Pir" (Living Saint). Re-imposed Jizya. Executed Guru Tegh Bahadur. His long, costly **Deccan Policy** weakened the empire. Banned music in court.
Later Mughals	1707-1857	Weak rulers (e.g., Muhammad Shah 'Rangila', Shah Alam II). Led to rise of regional powers like Marathas and invasion of Nader Shah (1739).
Bahadur Shah II 'Zafar'	1837-1857	Last Mughal Emperor. Figurehead of the **Revolt of 1857**. Exiled to Rangoon.

Part C: Modern Indian History (~1707 CE - 1947 CE)

Mahatma Gandhi leading the Dandi March in 1930, a defining moment of civil disobedience. (Image: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

C.1: British Governors & Their Impact

Governor-General / Viceroy	Tenure	Key Policies, Acts & Events
Robert Clive	1757-60 & 1765-67	Won **Battle of Plassey (1757)**. Established **Dual Government** in Bengal.
Warren Hastings	1773-1785	First G-G of Bengal. Regulating Act of 1773. Fought First Anglo-Maratha War.
Lord Cornwallis	1786-1793	Introduced **Permanent Settlement** of land revenue in Bengal (1793). Father of Civil Services in India.
Lord Wellesley	1798-1805	Introduced the **Subsidiary Alliance** system to control Indian states.
Lord William Bentinck	1828-1835	First G-G of India. Abolished **Sati** (1829). Suppressed Thuggee. English Education Act 1835 (Macaulay's Minute).
Lord Dalhousie	1848-1856	Introduced **Doctrine of Lapse**. Introduced Railways (1853), Telegraph, Postal System (Wood's Despatch on Education, 1854).
Lord Canning	1856-1862	Last G-G & First Viceroy. **Revolt of 1857** occurred. Indian Councils Act 1861.
Lord Lytton	1876-1880	Vernacular Press Act (1878), Arms Act (1878). Held the lavish Delhi Durbar during a famine.
Lord Ripon	1880-1884	"Father of Local Self-Government" in India. Repealed Vernacular Press Act. Introduced Ilbert Bill.
Lord Curzon	1899-1905	**Partition of Bengal (1905)**. Ancient Monuments Preservation Act (1904). Appointed Police Commission.
Lord Minto II	1905-1910	Morley-Minto Reforms / **Indian Councils Act 1909** (introduced separate electorates for Muslims).
Lord Hardinge II	1910-1916	Annulment of Bengal Partition (1911). Capital shifted from Calcutta to Delhi (1911).
Lord Chelmsford	1916-1921	Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms / **GoI Act 1919** (introduced Dyarchy). Rowlatt Act (1919), Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919).
Lord Irwin	1926-1931	Simon Commission (1928). **Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931)**. Dandi March & start of Civil Disobedience Movement.
Lord Linlithgow	1936-1944	**GoI Act 1935** implemented. WWII begins. August Offer (1940), Cripps Mission (1942), **Quit India Movement (1942)**.
Lord Mountbatten	1947-1948	Last Viceroy & First G-G of independent India. Announced June 3rd Plan / **Mountbatten Plan** for partition.

C.2: The Indian Freedom Struggle - A Detailed Timeline

Year	Event	Key Personalities / Significance
1857	The Great Revolt	First major uprising. Leaders: Mangal Pandey, Rani Laxmibai, Nana Saheb, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Kunwar Singh. Led to end of Company Rule.
1885	Formation of INC	Founded by A.O. Hume in Bombay. W.C. Bonnerjee was the first president. Early phase dominated by Moderates (e.g., Dadabhai Naoroji, G.K. Gokhale).
1905	Partition of Bengal	By Lord Curzon. Led to the **Swadeshi & Boycott Movement**. Rise of Extremists (Lal, Bal, Pal).
1906	Formation of Muslim League	Founded at Dacca by Aga Khan and Nawab Salimullah to protect Muslim interests.
1907	Surat Split	INC split into Moderates and Extremists over ideology and leadership.
1909	Morley-Minto Reforms	Introduced separate electorates for Muslims, institutionalizing communal politics.
1916	Lucknow Pact	Historic pact between INC and Muslim League. Extremists re-admitted to INC. Home Rule Leagues started by Tilak and Annie Besant.
1919	Rowlatt Act & Jallianwala Bagh	Rowlatt Act allowed detention without trial. Led to protests and the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar under General Dyer's orders.
1920-22	Non-Cooperation Movement	First mass movement led by Gandhi. Withdrawn after the Chauri Chaura incident.
1928	Simon Commission Arrives	All-white commission boycotted by Indians ("Simon Go Back"). Lala Lajpat Rai died during a protest.
1929	Lahore Session (INC)	Under J.L. Nehru, passed the resolution for **Purna Swaraj** (Complete Independence). Tricolour hoisted.
1930-34	Civil Disobedience Movement	Launched with the **Dandi Salt March**. First Round Table Conference held.
1931	Gandhi-Irwin Pact	Gandhi agreed to attend Second Round Table Conference; INC suspended the movement.
1932	Communal Award & **Poona Pact**	British proposed separate electorates for Depressed Classes. Gandhi undertook fast unto death. Poona Pact signed between Gandhi and Ambedkar, granting reserved seats instead.
1935	Government of India Act	Provided for provincial autonomy. Became a blueprint for the Indian Constitution.
1940	August Offer & Lahore Resolution	British offer of Dominion status rejected. Muslim League passed Lahore Resolution demanding separate state(s).
1942	Cripps Mission & **Quit India Movement**	Cripps Mission failed. INC launched Quit India Movement. Gandhi gave the call of **"Do or Die"**.
1945-46	Wavell Plan & Cabinet Mission	Wavell Plan failed. Cabinet Mission recommended a federal structure and a Constituent Assembly.
1947	**Mountbatten Plan & Indian Independence Act**	Announced partition of India and transfer of power. India became independent on Aug 15, 1947.

Part D: Post-Independence India (1947 CE - Present)

Category	Timeline / Event	Key Details & Significance
Consolidation	1947-1950	Integration of Princely States (565+) masterminded by **Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel**. Key challenges: Junagadh, Hyderabad (Operation Polo), Kashmir. Managing refugee crisis.
Constitution	1946-1950	Framed by the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Drafting Committee Chairman: **Dr. B.R. Ambedkar**. Adopted on Jan 26, 1950, making India a Republic.
Reorganization	1953-1956	Formation of Andhra State (1953) after Potti Sreeramulu's death. **States Reorganisation Act (1956)** created 14 states and 6 UTs on a linguistic basis.
Economic Policy	1951-1991	Adopted a socialist-leaning mixed economy model with centralized **Five-Year Plans**. Focus on heavy industries. Planning Commission established.
Foreign Policy	1950s-60s	Policy of **Non-Alignment (NAM)** championed by PM Nehru, staying independent of the two major power blocs (USA & USSR) during the Cold War.
Major Wars	1962, 1965, 1971	Sino-Indian War (1962), Indo-Pak Wars (1965, 1971), Kargil War (1999). 1971 war led to the creation of Bangladesh.
The Emergency	1975-1977	Imposed by PM Indira Gandhi, citing "internal disturbance". Suspension of fundamental rights. A controversial period in Indian democracy.
Economic Reforms	1991	In response to a balance of payments crisis, India launched major **LPG Reforms** (Liberalization, Privatization, Globalization) under PM P.V. Narasimha Rao & FM Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Part E: Indian Art, Culture & World History

Category	Key Details & Significance
Indian Architecture	Nagara Style (North): Tall, curvilinear spire (*Shikhara*). Ex: Khajuraho Temples. Dravida Style (South): Stepped pyramid tower (*Vimana*), large gateways (*Gopurams*). Ex: Brihadeshwara Temple. Indo-Islamic Style: Use of domes, arches, minarets, and calligraphy. Ex: Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar.
World History: Impact on India	Industrial Revolution: Made India a source of raw materials & market for British goods, leading to de-industrialization and the "Drain of Wealth". World Wars I & II: India's contribution strengthened its demand for freedom. Weakened colonial powers, accelerating global **Decolonization**. Cold War: Led to the formulation of India's Non-Aligned foreign policy.
Key Political Philosophies	Capitalism: Private ownership, profit motive. Drove colonialism. Socialism: State ownership/control for social welfare. Heavily influenced India's early economic planning. Communism: Radical socialism. Inspired Indian revolutionaries and communist parties.

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