Early societies & kingdoms
Archaeology, inscriptions and texts reveal different kinds of historical evidence.
An introductory chronology from early urban societies to the republic, supported by NCERT, official archives and institutional histories. Ancient dates are approximate, and different regional histories overlap rather than forming a single uniform sequence.
Explore this topic in the interactive atlas →Early Harappan communities
Farming settlements and regional cultures preceded the mature urban phase.
NCERT · Harappan civilisation ↗Before c. 2600 BCE
Mature Harappan civilisation
Urban settlements, craft production and exchange networks developed across a broad region.
NCERT · Harappan civilisation ↗- The script remains undeciphered; archaeological interpretation continues to develop.
c. 2600–1900 BCE
Mahajanapadas and early states
Larger states and urban centres emerged alongside changing economies and religious traditions.
NCERT · Kings, Farmers and Towns ↗c. sixth century BCE
Mauryan empire
Chandragupta Maurya’s state expanded into a large imperial formation.
NCERT · Kings, Farmers and Towns ↗c. 321–185 BCE
Ashoka and his inscriptions
Rock and pillar inscriptions provide evidence for imperial communication and dhamma.
NCERT · Kings, Farmers and Towns ↗Third century BCE
Regional kingdoms and exchange
Regional powers, long-distance trade and different coinage traditions flourished.
NCERT · Kings, Farmers and Towns ↗c. 200 BCE–300 CE
Gupta period
A major northern imperial formation existed alongside diverse regional histories.
NCERT · Kings, Farmers and Towns ↗c. fourth–sixth centuries CE
Sources and scope ▼
Recorded chapter review: . Check the linked sources for subsequent changes.