Events

Chandragupta Maurya overthrows the Nandas to found India's first empire.

Ashoka's bloody conquest of Kalinga that transformed his reign.

Ashoka adopts Buddhism and the policy of Dhamma after the Kalinga War.

Buddhist council convened under Ashoka at Pataliputra.

The assassination of Brihadratha ends the Maurya dynasty.

The wide-ranging conquests that made the Gupta Empire supreme in India.

Prithviraj Chauhan repels Muhammad of Ghor.

Muhammad of Ghor defeats Prithviraj Chauhan, opening North India.

Qutb al-Din Aibak establishes Turkish rule at Delhi.

Harihara and Bukka found a Hindu empire to resist the Sultanate.

Rao Bika formally establishes the city of Bikaner on 12 October 1488 in the Jangladesh desert, founding the Kingdom of Bikaner.

Babur defeats Ibrahim Lodi to found the Mughal Empire.

The battle where Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi with artillery and flanking tactics, founding the Mughal Empire on 21 April 1526.

Akbar's forces defeat Hemu, securing the Mughal restoration.

Deccan sultanates crush Vijayanagara, sacking Hampi.

The legendary clash on 18 June 1576 where Maharana Pratap fought Akbar's army led by Man Singh I — Pratap survived on his dying horse Chetak to fight another day.

Raja Rai Singh commissions Junagarh Fort (Chintamani Durg) in 1589; completed 1594 — a 37-bastion fort on flat ground that has never been conquered in its history.

Shah Jahan's 22-year architectural masterpiece (1632-1653) — a marble mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal and the world's greatest monument to love.

Shivaji crowned Chhatrapati, founding the Maratha kingdom.

Company victory over the Nawab of Bengal begins British rule.

Ahmad Shah Durrani defeats the Marathas in a bloody battle.

Company defeats a coalition, gaining the diwani of Bengal.

Tipu Sultan dies defending his capital against the British.

Widespread uprising against East India Company rule.