01.Prehistoric India
Stone Age to Chalcolithic Age
Period: ~2.5 million BC – 1500 BC
Covers: Tools, Neolithic sites, Chalcolithic cultures
Ancient History — UPSC Topic Index
Prehistoric India → Sangam Age | ~2.5 million BC to ~550 AD
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Each card below links to a detailed, exam-focused notes page for that topic. Topics are arranged chronologically. Click any topic to read in-depth notes with tables, mnemonics, and quick revision boxes.
Quick Timeline — At a Glance
| # | Period | Era | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | ~2.5 million BC – 1500 BC | Prehistoric India | Stone tools → agriculture → copper tools |
| 02 | ~3300–1300 BC | Indus Valley Civilization | Urban cities, grid roads, drainage, trade |
| 03 | ~1500–600 BC | Vedic Age | Vedas, caste system, iron tools |
| 04 | ~600–321 BC | Mahajanapadas | 16 kingdoms, rise of Magadha, Buddhism/Jainism |
| 05 | ~599–527 BC | Jainism (Mahavira) | Triratna, non-violence, Jain sects |
| 06 | ~563–483 BC | Buddhism (Buddha) | Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, 4 Councils |
| 07 | 321–185 BC | Mauryan Empire | Unified India, Ashoka's Dhamma, Arthashastra |
| 08 | 185 BC – 320 AD | Post-Mauryan Kingdoms | Shungas, Kushanas, Gandhara art, foreign coins |
| 09 | 320–550 AD | Gupta Empire | Golden Age — science, math, literature, art |
| 10 | ~300 BC – 300 AD | Sangam Age (South India) | Three Tamil kingdoms, Tirukkural, Rome trade |
Topic-Wise Detailed Notes
02.Indus Valley Civilization
Harappan Civilization
Period: ~3300–1300 BC
Covers: Town planning, 14 key sites, trade, decline theories
03.Vedic Age
Early & Later Vedic Period
Period: ~1500–600 BC
Covers: 4 Vedas, Early vs Later comparison, key terms
04.Mahajanapadas & Rise of Magadha
16 Janapadas · Haryanka to Nanda
Period: ~600–321 BC
Covers: All 16 Mahajanapadas, Magadha dynasties, Greek invasion
05.Jainism
Mahavira · Triratna · Sects
Period: ~599–527 BC
Covers: Panchamahavrata, Digambara vs Shvetambara, Jain councils
06.Buddhism
Buddha · Councils · Sects · Art
Period: ~563–483 BC
Covers: 4 Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, 4 Councils, Gandhara art
07.Mauryan Empire
Chandragupta · Ashoka · Administration
Period: 321–185 BC
Covers: Kalinga War, Dhamma, Arthashastra, Ashoka's edicts
08.Post-Mauryan Kingdoms
Shungas · Satavahanas · Kushanas
Period: 185 BC – 320 AD
Covers: Kanishka, Gandhara art, Milindapanho, Rudradaman
09.Gupta Empire
Golden Age of India
Period: 320–550 AD
Covers: Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Fa Hien, Aryabhata, Kalidasa
10.Sangam Age
South India's Classical Period
Period: ~300 BC – 300 AD
Covers: Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Tolkappiyam, Tirukkural, Rome trade
11.Harshavardhana & Post-Gupta Kingdoms
Pallavas · Chalukyas · Rashtrakutas · Tripartite Struggle
Period: 606–750 AD
Covers: Harsha, Nalanda, Pulakesi II vs Harsha, Kailasa Temple, Tripartite Struggle
12.Ancient Indian Art & Architecture
Mauryan · Gandhara · Stupas · Cave & Temple Styles
Period: 2500 BC – 800 AD
Covers: Ashoka Pillars, Ajanta-Ellora, Nagara-Dravidian-Vesara styles, Gandhara vs Mathura
✅ UPSC Preparation Tips for Ancient History
→ Read NCERT Class XI — Themes in Indian History Part I for foundational understanding
→ For Prelims: Focus on IVC, Mauryan-Gupta administration, art & architecture (Buddhist, Gandhara, Gupta)
→ For Mains: Focus on socio-economic analysis — caste emergence, women's position, trade networks, religious movements
→ Previous Year Questions frequently appear from: IVC decline theories, Ashoka's Dhamma, 4 Buddhist Councils, Gupta Golden Age, Sangam literature
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