India is a country in South Asia that has always been known for its high culture and untold we alth, as many trade routes passed through it. The history of India is interesting and fascinating, because it is a very ancient state, the traditions of which have not changed much over the centuries.
Antiquity
Bronze Age
Approximately in the III millennium BC, the first Indian civilization appeared, which was called the Indus (or Harappan).
Initially, metallurgy, construction, and small sculpture were developed among the crafts. But monumental sculpture, unlike Mesopotamia or Egypt, has not been developed. Foreign trade was actively conducted, for example, with Central Asia, Mesopotamia, Sumer or Arabia.
Buddhist period
Approximately from the middle of the 1st millennium BC, disagreements begin between representatives of the Vedic religion, which at that time was already significantly outdated, and between the kshatriyas - the estates of rulers and warriors. Therebymany new trends appeared, the most popular of which was Buddhism. The history of India says that Buddha Shakyamuni was its founder.
Classic period
In this period, the religious, economic and community-caste systems were finally formed. This era is characterized by numerous invasions from the northwestern states and tribes, for example, the Greco-Bactrian kingdom, nomads.
The history of Ancient India ends with the Gupta dynasty, during whose reign the “golden age” of Indian civilization began. But this period did not last long. In the fourth century, the Iranian-speaking nomads of the Hephthalites created their own state, which included India.
History of India in the Middle Ages
From the tenth to the twelfth century, there was an Islamic invasion from Central Asia, as a result of which the Delhi Sultanate gained control of Northern India. After some time, most of the country became part of the Mughal Empire. However, several native kingdoms remained in the south of the peninsula, which were beyond the reach of the invaders.
European colonies in India
Since the sixteenth century, the history of India tells about the struggle of influential European countries, including the Netherlands, Portugal, Great Britain and France, for the formation of colonies on the territory of the state, since they were all interested in trade with India. Most of the country was under controlEngland, or rather, the East India Company. Ultimately, this company was liquidated, and India came under the control of the British Crown as a colony.
National Liberation War
In 1857, an uprising against the East India Company began, which was called the First Liberation War. However, it was suppressed, and the British Empire established direct administrative control over almost the entire territory of the colony.
In the first half of the twentieth century, a national liberation movement began in India, headed by Mahatma Gandhi. From this moment begins the history of India as an independent state. However, it was still part of the British Commonwe alth of Nations.
Modern history
In 1950, India became a republic.
Tested nuclear weapons in 1974.
Five new explosions were carried out in 1988.
In 2008 there was a series of terrorist attacks in Bombay (from 26 to 29 November).
