page_title: Outline of India
section_title: History of India by period
hierarchical_section_title: Outline of India / History of India / History of India by period
caption_attribution_description: English: Shivaji the Great
context_page_description: The following outline is provided as an overview of, and topical guide to, India:
  The seventh-largest country by area, India is located on the Indian subcontinent in South Asia. India was home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, and is the birthplace of four world religions: Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism. India endured colonisation, eventually being administered by the United Kingdom from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. India became an independent nation in 1947 after a struggle for independence that was mainly non-violent resistance, led by influential figures like Mahatma Gandhi, and underwent a violent partition. India is the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and is also the most populous democracy in the world.
context_section_description: Prehistoric India
  Riwatian people (1,900,000 BC)
  Soanian people (500,000 BC)
  South Asian Stone Age (70,000–3300 BCE)
  Ancient India
  Ancient Indian cities
  Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1700 BCE)
  Late Harappan culture (1700–1300 BCE)
  Vedic period (1500–500 BCE)
  Iron Age (1200–300 BCE)
  Mahajanapadas (700–300 BCE)
  Magadha Empire
  Haryanka dynasty (684–413 BCE)
  Shishunaga dynasty (413-345 BCE)
  Nanda dynasty (424-321 BCE)
  Maurya Empire (322- 185 BCE)
  Middle kingdoms of India (250 BCE–1279 CE)
  Chola Empire (250 BCE–1070 CE)
  Satavahana (230 BCE–220 CE)
  Shunga Empire (185-75 BCE)
  Kushan Empire (60–240 CE)
  Gupta Empire (280–550 CE)
  Pala Empire (750–1174 CE)
  Rashtrakuta (753–982 CE)
  Islamic empires in India (1206–1596)
  Delhi Sultanate (1206–1596)
  Deccan Sultanates(1490–1596)
  Hoysala Empire (1040–1346)
  Ahom Kingdom (1228–1826)
  Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1646)
  Mughal Empire (1526–1858)
  Maratha Empire (1674–1818)
  Colonial India (1858–1947)
  British Raj
  Princely states
  Indian independence movement
  Quit India Movement
  Partition of India (1947)
  History of Republic of India (1947–present)
caption: Maratha Empire Shivaji Maharaj
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