Ancient India was home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, flourishing from prehistoric times until the end of the Gupta Empire around 500 CE. Key features include the advanced Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE) with its planned cities and sanitation systems, followed by the Vedic period which laid the foundations for Hinduism and the Sanskrit language. This era also saw the rise of empires like the Mauryan and Gupta, the birth of religions like Buddhism and Jainism, and significant achievements in science, art, and philosophy.
Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1300 BCE)
- Developed sophisticated cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro with grid-like street patterns, advanced drainage systems, and public buildings.
- Had extensive trade networks with other civilizations, including Mesopotamia.
- The civilization began to decline around 2000 BCE, with its cities being replaced by smaller settlements.
Vedic period (c. 1500–500 BCE)
- Culture and society: This period is characterized by a rural lifestyle and is documented in texts like the Rigveda.
- Language: The Vedic people spoke Sanskrit, an Indo-Aryan language.
- Religion: This era saw the development of concepts that are foundational to Hinduism, such as the deities Indra, Agni, and Soma, and ethical principles like Satya and Rta.
Major empires and their contributions
- Founded by Chandragupta Maurya after Alexander the Great's invasion, it was India's first large, centralized state.
- The grandson of Chandragupta, he converted to Buddhism, promoted peace, and improved the lives of his people.
- This period is considered a "golden age" with major achievements in science, art, and literature, and its end is used to mark the transition from ancient to medieval India.
Religious and philosophical developments