India Subcontinent

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Part of South Asia in a shape of triangle with the base on Himalayas and apex on Cape Comorin

 

The prehistory of this area dates back to III milennium BC when developed city civilization existed in the Valley of Indus. It's main centres were Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. In XVth century BC Aryans - agriculturaly pastoral tribes came here. They occupied valleys on the rivers of Indus and Ganges. Their authority is the beginning of caste society. Since VIth century BC there were many kingdoms and tribal organizations on this area. In 327 BC it was reached by the army of Alexander the Great. Durign the reign of Maury Dynasty, which was set up in 320 BC, the area became united into one country. The greatest development took place when emperor Asoki was the ruler. He replaced Hinduism with Buddhism as the state religion and expanded contacts with the west. After his death the country breaked up, but was united again between the Ist and IInd centuries AD. In IVth century the Gupta dynasty created empire in the north. During their reign culture flourished. The country was destroyed by Hun invasion toward the end of Vth century. Since 712 AD the area was invaded by Moslems, who set a sultanate in Ghaza in Xth century. Then they annexed Penjab and set a sultanat with the capital in Delhi. In 1398 Delhi was conquered by Mongolians under Timur. Since 1399 different dynasties ruled in Delhi and there were also other independent countires in the south of Indian Penninsula. In 1498 Vasco da Gama discovered the marine way from Europe to India, what started European marine expedition to the penninsula.

 
This file was last modified on Wednesday, 22-Sep-2010 12:37:56 PDT