c. 2600 BCE Indus Valley urban civilization flourishes Harappan cities such as Mohenjo-daro and Harappa emerge as major centers of urban civilization. c. 1900 BCE Decline of the Indus cities The mature Harappan urban system declines across much of the northwestern subcontinent. c. 1500 BCE Vedic period begins Indo-Aryan cultural traditions associated with the Vedic corpus spread through northern India. c. 6th century BCE Rise of Mahajanapadas Large states and republics emerge across northern India during a period of urban and intellectual change. c. 563 BCE Life of the Buddha begins Siddhartha Gautama's life and teachings later shape one of India's most influential religious traditions. 322 BCE Maurya Empire is founded Chandragupta Maurya establishes the first large empire to unify much of the subcontinent. c. 260 BCE Ashoka embraces Buddhism After the Kalinga War, Ashoka promotes dhamma and supports the spread of Buddhism. 320 Gupta Empire begins The Gupta dynasty inaugurates an era remembered for political power and major cultural achievement. c. 499 Aryabhata writes the Aryabhatiya Aryabhata's mathematical and astronomical work becomes a landmark in Indian science. 712 Arab conquest of Sind Muhammad ibn Qasim's campaign brings Sind under Umayyad rule and opens a new phase of contact with the Islamic world. 1206 Delhi Sultanate is established Muslim rule is institutionalized in north India under the Delhi Sultanate. 1290 Khalji dynasty begins The Khaljis expand the power of the Delhi Sultanate and intensify imperial campaigns. 1526 Babur wins the First Battle of Panipat Babur defeats Ibrahim Lodi and founds the Mughal Empire. 1556 Akbar comes to the throne Akbar's reign expands Mughal authority and reshapes imperial administration. 1600 English East India Company is chartered The company receives its charter and begins the process that will transform British involvement in India. 1757 Battle of Plassey The East India Company secures a decisive victory that expands British political power in Bengal. 1857 Indian Rebellion breaks out A major uprising challenges company rule and leads to a transformation in imperial governance. 1858 British Crown rule begins The British Raj replaces East India Company rule after the rebellion of 1857. 1885 Indian National Congress is founded The Congress becomes the leading political platform of Indian nationalism. 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre shocks India British troops fire on civilians at Amritsar, radicalizing anti-colonial opinion. 1930 Salt March launches civil disobedience Mahatma Gandhi's campaign against the salt tax becomes a defining act of mass resistance. August 1947 India becomes independent and partitioned British rule ends and the subcontinent is partitioned into India and Pakistan. January 26, 1950 Republic of India is proclaimed The Constitution comes into force and India becomes a sovereign democratic republic. 1991 Economic liberalization begins A major reform program opens the Indian economy to wider market competition and global integration.